Alphabet Inc., through Google, owns Waze. Google acquired the Israeli navigation app in June 2013 for roughly $1.15 billion. In early 2025, Waze reported over 50 million monthly users in the EU, qualifying it as a Very Large Online Platform under EU regulations.
- Waze has approximately 150 million monthly active users across 185 countries.
- Google acquired Waze on June 11, 2013, for approximately $1.15 billion.
- The app raised $67 million in venture funding before its acquisition.
- Waze reported 50.5 million average monthly users in the EU (July–December 2024).
- Vanguard (~8.2%) and BlackRock (~7.1%) are the largest institutional holders of Alphabet.
Waze Mission Statement and Purpose
Waze operates under the tagline “Outsmarting Traffic, Together,” coined in 2009. The phrase sums up its model: collective, real-time data routing drivers around congestion. After Google’s acquisition, Waze kept this community identity while its traffic data feeds Google’s AI and ad systems.
How Did Waze Get Its Name?
The project started as FreeMap Israel in 2006, became LinQmap in 2008, then the team settled on “ways” — a nod to the multiple routes the app could suggest. Someone already owned the domain and quoted a steep price. The domain “waze” cost roughly 25 times less.
Co-founder Uri Levine has said the name also evokes “maze.” Waze made its brand debut in January 2009.
Who Owns Waze?
Waze is a wholly owned subsidiary of Google LLC. No independent shareholders hold direct equity. When Google completed the all-cash deal in 2013, every founder and VC investor was paid out.
Owning a piece of Waze means owning Alphabet stock (NASDAQ: GOOGL and GOOG). In late 2022, Alphabet folded Waze into Google’s Geo division alongside Google Maps and Google Earth.
Waze Origin, Founders and Early Years
In 2006, Israeli programmer Ehud Shabtai started FreeMap Israel, an open-source mapping project. Co-founders Uri Levine and Amir Shinar joined in 2008 and incorporated the company.
Waze raised $12M in a 2008 Series A (BlueRun, Magma), $25M in a 2010 Series B (Vertex, Qualcomm Ventures), and $30M in a 2011 Series C (Horizons Ventures, Kleiner Perkins). Founders held an estimated 25–30% at acquisition.
Largest Shareholders of Waze
Alphabet Inc.
- Owns 100% of Waze through Google LLC
- Acquired for ~$1.15B (June 2013)
Larry Page & Sergey Brin
- ~51% of Alphabet voting power via Class B shares
- ~6% of total equity combined
Vanguard Group
- ~8.2% of Alphabet (largest institutional holder)
- Primarily through S&P 500 index funds
BlackRock Inc.
- ~7.1% of Alphabet (second-largest holder)
- Holds via iShares ETFs
Waze Products and Services
Waze Navigation App
- Free GPS turn-by-turn navigation for iOS and Android
- Crowdsourced traffic, accident, and hazard alerts
- Android Auto and CarPlay support
Waze for Cities
- Data-sharing with 1,800+ public sector partners
- Aggregated traffic data for urban planning
Waze Ads
- Branded Pins and promoted search results
- Location-based in-route ad placements
Waze Beacons & Audio
- Bluetooth tunnel beacons for GPS continuity
- Music integrations with Spotify and Pandora
Who Is on the Waze Board of Directors?
Waze does not have an independent board. Governance runs through Alphabet’s board and Google’s executive chain.
Technology & Product Oversight
Sundar Pichai
CEO of Alphabet and Google. Waze strategy flows through his office.
Christopher Phillips
VP & GM of Google Geo. Oversees Waze, Google Maps, and Earth since 2023.
Governance and Founder Control
John L. Hennessy
Former Stanford president. Alphabet board director since 2004, chair since 2018.
Larry Page & Sergey Brin
~51% voting power via Class B shares. Hold board seats; stepped back from daily management in 2019.
Former Waze Leadership
Noam Bardin
Led Waze through the acquisition. Departed in 2021. Like YouTube, the standalone CEO role was absorbed into Google.
FAQs
Who owns Waze?
Alphabet Inc. owns Waze through Google LLC. Google completed the acquisition in June 2013 for approximately $1.15 billion.
Is Waze still operational?
Yes. Waze has approximately 150 million monthly active users across 185 countries. Google maintains it as a separate brand from Google Maps.
What is the net worth of Waze?
Waze does not have a separately disclosed valuation. Google acquired it for ~$1.15 billion in 2013. Its standalone value within Alphabet is not publicly reported.
When did Waze come out?
The project began as FreeMap Israel in 2006. The Waze app launched in the United States in May 2009 and expanded worldwide by November that year.
Is Waze an American company?
Waze was founded in Israel. After Google’s 2013 acquisition, its headquarters moved to Palo Alto, California. It is now American-headquartered under Alphabet.
