Zeti Group - connecting institutional investors with operators of business-critical vehicle fleets

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Today we're excited to meet Dan Saunders of Zeti Group

So Dan, tell us more about Zeti

Founded in 2020, Zeti is a financial services platform that connects institutional investors with operators of business-critical vehicle fleets seeking to transition to clean transport. Our flexible financing model enables fleet operators to align vehicle costs with actual usage, improving cash flow management while significantly reducing CO₂ and NOx emissions.

Our proprietary platform, Zeti Hub, uses real-time telematics data to deliver a fully-financed, integrated Transport-as-a-Service (TaaS) solution, making it easier and more cost-effective for businesses of all sizes to adopt clean transport solutions, including through its market-leading pay-as-you-use model and real-time sustainability reporting.

With over 4,500 vehicles now on our platform, demand for Zeti’s fintech solution continues to grow; from institutional lenders seeking to efficiently deploy capital into zero and ultra-low-emission transport assets, to fleet operators requiring flexible digital financing and vehicle manufacturers and solution providers looking for sales and financing support.

The market potential for this innovative model is vast. As demand for sustainable transport accelerates, Zeti’s commitment to clean mobility and intelligent finance positions it as a leader in the future of asset finance.

How did you come up with the business idea and what problem are you looking to solve?

I was working in institutional investment management and saw a report stating that transport was the biggest emitter of pollution in the UK.

At the same time I knew that there was demand from investors to fund sustainable assets other than renewables, ie. solar, wind and battery storage and thought that if vehicle financing could be more flexible and data-driven, then people or businesses would use it to purchase cleaner vehicles.

What made you want to start your own business?

I founded Zeti to tackle a major barrier in the transition to cleaner transport: the lack of flexible, affordable financing for fleet operators.

Drawing on my background in clean energy and finance, I saw how rigid funding models and high upfront costs were holding businesses back from adopting zero-emission vehicles.

Zeti’s flexible financing model was designed to close this gap, aligning vehicle costs with actual usage and making clean transport more financially accessible. Prior to Zeti, I launched a business in 2010 that financed over £10 million in clean energy projects using a similar pay-as-you-use model.

This not only proved the model’s viability but also delivered meaningful CO₂ reductions and strong returns for investors. My career in institutional investment, focused on infrastructure and energy efficiency, equipped me with the expertise to build a platform that serves both fleet operators and investors.

With Zeti, I’ve combined that experience with a passion for sustainability and finance. The result is a fintech platform powered by real-time telematics, offering a fully integrated, data-driven financing solution. It helps accelerate the shift to cleaner transport while giving investors a transparent, impactful way to fund the future of mobility.

What stage is your business currently at?

Zeti is currently in a high-growth phase, having most recently in 2024 secured £5 million in Series A funding, and expanded our platform, Zeti Hub, to manage over 4,500 vehicles across the UK and US.

With institutional investors like HYCAP Group and Toyota Ventures backing the company, we're scaling our Transport-as-a-Service (TaaS) model to meet the rising demand from fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers and lenders for flexible, data-driven financing solutions for zero and ultra-low-emission vehicles.

For me, the focus is now on several strategic priorities. One key area is scaling Zeti’s operations, onboarding new fleet operators and lenders and expanding our platform’s capabilities to support a wider range of vehicles and infrastructure.

We're also focused on enhancing our technology infrastructure, using real-time telematics and data analytics to improve operational efficiency and sustainability metrics for both fleet operators and investors.

Strengthening partnerships with vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers, and financial institutions is another priority of ours to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the transition to clean transport.

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

Hands down, the most meaningful part of being an entrepreneur is seeing the impact of Zeti's offering to a real-world problem with critical sustainability ramifications. The chance to bring a unique solution, like Zeti’s, to market and see it drive the change is unparalleled.

What is the number one business tip you've learned that you'd like to share with fellow budding entrepreneurs?

You’re not expected to have all the answers. Your role is to attract the people who do and bring them on the journey with you.

Who are your startup heroes?

My late uncle, Terry Johnson. He came from very humble beginnings and built multiple successful businesses, and at one point was the largest private employer in Cornwall, UK.

I idolised him as a kid and my mum (his sister) gave me the encouragement to show me what was possible. Only when I was older did I realise all the setbacks he had and the challenges he had to overcome, which made his entrepreneurial achievements even more remarkable. Persistence and optimism are absolute necessities.

Is there a favourite podcast, book or series you'd like to share with the world?

Zero to One by Peter Thiel. The early years of a business are the most challenging to get through (or at least I've been told!). Podcast: Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Building a business is intense and I believe you need to be obsessive in order for it to have the best chance of success. However that obsession can impact other areas of your life and come at a cost.

It can definitely feel lonely at times. Therefore I'd try and find at least one other person who is experiencing or has experienced a similar journey that you can talk to open and honestly.

Society is increasingly recognising the importance of mental health and Founders should be aware of these challenges as if you're successful it will be a marathon and not a sprint.

Where can people find you online?

Check out our website at https://www.zeti.group

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