About Rover Rideshare
By Students, For Students
Connecting Campus to City One Ride at a Time
Your Campus, Your Ride, Your Way
Safe, Affordable, and Student-Driven (Literally)
Rover RideShare was born from the frustration of five college students who were tired of the high prices and long wait times for rideshares in Winston-Salem. Co-Founder and CEO Tommy Tessien, along with four close friends, set out to create a solution tailored for students at Wake Forest and beyond. Rover tackles these challenges by offering affordable, safe, and reliable rides, all driven by fellow students. By connecting students with each other, Rover fosters a sense of community while solving common rideshare issues. You never know where these connections will take you!
Meet The Team
Tommy Tessien
Co-Founder and CEO
Wake Forest University
Tommy leads Rover with a vision to make campus transportation safer and more affordable. He’s passionate about building community-driven solutions for students.
Jack Semke
Co-Founder & COO
Villanova University
Jack oversees Rover’s operations, ensuring smooth day-to-day functionality. He focuses on creating efficient processes that benefit both riders and drivers.
Berk Yalcinkaya
Co-Founder & CTO
Stanford University
Berk leads the development of Rover’s technology, ensuring the app meets the needs of students. He combines his expertise in data science and engineering to create a seamless user experience.
Ben Schomberg
Chief Strategy Officer
Vanderbilt University
Ben drives Rover’s strategic direction, identifying growth opportunities and partnerships. His goal is to position Rover as the top choice for student ridesharing.
Mitchell Anderson
Software Engineer
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Mitchell works on developing Rover’s app, bringing the team’s ideas to life with his technical expertise. He focuses on delivering a smooth and intuitive user experience.
William Burns
President of Marketing
Wake Forest University
William spearheads Rover’s marketing efforts, growing the user base and driving brand awareness. He connects Rover with students through creative campaigns and partnerships.
Our Story
How We Started
Rover was born from the frustrations of college students using expensive, slow, and uncomfortable rideshare services. Recognizing the inefficiencies in college markets, we set out to create a service that prioritizes affordability, comfort, and safety. By listening to students, we aimed to redefine campus travel to better meet their needs.
The Problem
Current rideshare options are often unaffordable, unsafe, and lack community integration for college students. In small college towns, these services are not profitable, leading to higher costs and fewer rides. Additionally, students frequently encounter safety issues, and existing services don’t address the unique social aspects of campus life.
The Solution
Rover offers a student-focused solution that prioritizes affordability, safety, and community. Our app, exclusively for students with a .edu email, ensures a secure, trusted environment. Students can also earn income as drivers, providing a flexible work opportunity. Rover aims to set a new standard for college transportation, tailored specifically to student needs.
Market Research
At Wake Forest, 55% of students expressed dissatisfaction with current rideshare services, and 86% said they’d prefer Rover’s affordable, faster, and more reliable option. With 66% of college students using rideshares weekly, and the market expanding, Rover is positioned to fill this gap with a service designed for student budgets and campus life.
Our Vision
Rover seeks to transform college transportation by partnering with universities and expanding nationwide. We are committed to safety, affordability, and creating a community-based rideshare. Our goal is to become the go-to option for campus rides, enhancing student life and fostering stronger campus connections.
