My Big Idea: car data platform OBDeleven

‍Hi  Dainius! What's your elevator pitch?

OBDeleven is a connected car technology company that gives drivers professional-grade vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and customisation through a pocket-sized device and mobile app. Built on officially licensed vehicle integrations, our platform helps millions of drivers better understand, maintain and personalise their cars without relying on expensive workshop visits for every issue. Today, more than 6 million vehicles have been connected through OBDeleven, with users across global markets.

Why does the market need it?

Cars have become software-defined products, yet most drivers still have very limited access to their own vehicle data. Even a basic diagnostic check often requires a workshop visit, costing around £60 on average in the UK, even when the issue turns out to be minor.

We believe drivers should have greater visibility and control over the vehicles they own. OBDeleven bridges the gap between dealership-level capabilities and everyday drivers through officially licensed technology that makes advanced vehicle functions more accessible.

The impact is measurable. Over the past 12 months, UK OBDeleven users carried out more than 750,000 diagnostic scans through OBDeleven. Based on the average workshop diagnostic cost, that represents almost £9 million in potential diagnostic costs avoided, with the average UK user saving around £240 a year.

‍Where is the business today?

OBDeleven has grown from a niche product for enthusiasts into a profitable global connected car technology company. In 2025, our revenue increased 25% year on year to €19.2 million, while net profit grew to €3.17 million. Earlier this year, we were also recognised in the Financial Times FT1000 ranking as Europe's fastest-growing automotive company, also becoming the first Lithuanian business featured in the Automotive category.

Today, our technology is used in more than 6 million vehicles across over 60 countries, and we continue expanding through new manufacturer partnerships and software capabilities. As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, we're building the infrastructure that makes professional diagnostics, maintenance and vehicle management accessible to everyday drivers, not just enthusiasts.

‍What made you think there was money in this?

OBDeleven was founded by two automotive electricians and a software engineer who spent their days carrying out the same diagnostic procedures. They began writing scripts to automate repetitive tasks, making their own work faster and more efficient. What started as an internal solution quickly attracted interest from other workshops and enthusiasts. As demand grew organically, it became clear this wasn't just a workshop tool, it was solving a much bigger problem.

OBDeleven didn't start with traditional market research. The niche developed naturally as more drivers and workshops began using the product and recommending it to others. That organic demand validated that the problem was much broader than we had initially expected.

The automotive community has always been highly engaged and willing to share feedback. Years of working closely with customers and analysing how they use our platform have shaped product development. 

What's wrong with your competitors?

The market is split between two extremes. On one side are basic OBD scanners that provide limited functionality. On the other are expensive professional diagnostic systems designed for workshops.

We focus on closing that gap by delivering professional-level capabilities in a consumer-friendly product backed by official manufacturer licences.

‍What's your biggest strength?

We see ourselves as a company simplifying car ownership. That said, our biggest strength is recognising where vehicle ownership is becoming unnecessarily complicated and building technology that removes that friction before customers even start asking for it.  

As vehicles become increasingly connected and software-defined, millions of drivers will expect the same intuitive digital experience they already have with their smartphones or smart home devices.OBDeleven combines officially licensed manufacturer integrations with an intuitive mobile-first experience. 

We're one of the few consumer-level diagnostics companies with official licences from major automotive manufacturers, including Volkswagen Group, BMW Group, Toyota Group, Ford and Mercedes-Benz. These partnerships give drivers access to advanced functionality that goes far beyond standard fault-code readers.

Today, our user base gives us extensive real-world insight into how drivers diagnose, maintain and interact with increasingly software-defined vehicles.‍

What is the secret to making the business work?

What's the main challenge? We love hearing solutions that other entrepreneurs can learn from. It's the whole point of Business Age

We don't build technology because it's possible. We build technology because it removes friction from everyday car ownership. That focus has helped us evolve from a niche diagnostics tool into a broader connected mobility platform.

‍How do you market the company?

We use a mix of direct-to-consumer marketing, marketplace partnerships, retail distribution and creator collaborations — we have a huge automotive community we really appreciate. Invest into customer support and mainly focus on building an easy-to-use product. One thing we've learned is that marketing doesn't end with the sale. When customers have a great experience, they become your strongest advocates. In our case, recommendations from existing users have played a significant role in our growth.

‍What funding do you have? Is it enough?

OBDeleven has been bootstrapped since day one. Growing without external investment has shaped our mindset. We've had to be disciplined, focus on profitability and make every investment count. We believe that's one of the reasons we've been able to grow consistently while maintaining full control over the company's long-term direction. 

We don't rely on a single revenue stream. Our model combines hardware, digital services and recurring software subscriptions. That allows us to continue investing in new features while building long-term relationships with customers rather than one-time transactions. ‍

What were you doing before?

Before becoming CEO, I served as CFO at OBDeleven, helping guide the company's financial growth and international expansion. Prior to that, I worked in corporate finance and held leadership roles across finance and business management.

Having both financial and operational experience has helped me balance sustainable growth with long-term investment in technology and innovation.‍

Are there any technologies you've found useful?

The latest AI models have now become invaluable in day to day operations. Summaries, data research and organizational tasks are significantly faster and simpler. Another cool tool is Wispr flow which helps to significantly minimize a need for manual input of text. Everything is about speed and efficiency.

‍What is the future vision?

Our ambition is to become the platform people open first whenever they need to understand, maintain or manage their car.