Scoop: Charlotte’s new rideshare company Goldsainte only uses luxury cars

The company, founded by local entrepreneur Andre Powell, launched on the App Store and Google Play Store earlier this year.

Why it matters: The service is already being used by celebrities, like Chris Weidman, Rapsody and Chris Manhertz, according to Powell. But, he hopes Goldsainte will help make luxury vehicles more accessible.

• “There was just a certain feeling that you would experience when you’re driving down the street in these cars and I really wanted to share that feeling with everybody,” he said.

Plus, Goldsainte will let you customize every aspect of the ride — from the type of music that’s played to the temperature of your seats — to create the kind of luxury experience you expect when riding around in a Bentley Flying Spur, Bently Bentayga, Rolls-Royce Cullinan or Mercedes-Maybach. 

• Members will be able to rent high-end cars owned by other members and drive them themselves.

How it works: Part of the app works similarly to other ride-share companies where you can book a ride from one location to the next. The other part, which is exclusive to members, operates as a high-end car rental marketplace.

• Rides can be requested through the app or website to go as far as 50 miles in any direction of the city’s center. Extended-distance rides will go as far as Raleigh or Columbia, South Carolina. 
• You can schedule a ride from 5am to midnight daily. 
• Every driver is thoroughly vetted and must complete extensive training to provide riders with a sense of security. 

Cost: For an initial membership fee of $249, members ride for $99 an hour. Members can also rent luxury cars or list their own high-end vehicles for other members to drive, for a rate set by the car owner. 

• Non-members ride for $149 an hour and can bring up to two guests. 

• Of note: The only exception is the price to ride in a Rolls-Royce, which will cost members $499 per hour to ride and $549 per hour for non-members.

Zoom in: Recently, Goldsainte added a new fleet of Infiniti QX80s for people who still want to experience a luxury ride but at a lower price point.

• Members and non-members can ride, with up to seven passengers, for $74.99.
• “We’re cheaper than our competitors at Alto and far more consistent than Uber Black,” said Powell. 

What’s next: Goldsainte is accepting investors and will start expanding to other cities by the end of the year.

• The rideshare company will launch in Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami by the end of the year.
• In 2024, the company will be in New York and Washington D.C.