What happens when one of the biggest names in micromobility files for bankruptcy? In this exclusive interview, Bird Co-CEO Michael Washinushi joins host Prabin Joel Jones to break down the company’s dramatic turnaround. From Chapter 11 restructuring to a bold shift in strategy, discover how Bird is rebuilding its position as a leader in sustainable urban transportation.

Learn how Michael transitioned from CFO to CEO during a crisis, retained critical city permits, cut operational costs, and set Bird on a new path toward growth. Whether you're in mobility, startups, or urban tech, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, financial strategy, and navigating tough times.

👉 Topics covered:

Bird’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and recovery strategy

Leadership transition: CFO to CEO

Micromobility business models and revenue optimization

Cultural overhaul and operational efficiency

Third-party vehicles and hardware strategy

The future of shared electric scooters and urban mobility

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Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Bird: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility

02:18 Michael's Journey: From CFO to CEO

06:14 Navigating Challenges: The Turnaround Strategy

10:10 Cultural Overhaul: Post-Bankruptcy Bird

14:12 Motivating the Team: Retention and Transparency

18:14 Revenue Resilience: Strategies During Bankruptcy

22:04 Tough Decisions: Streamlining Operations

26:15 Building Brand Loyalty in Micro Mobility

29:59 Metrics that Matter: Revenue and Customer Retention

34:32 Understanding User Price Sensitivity

37:34 Post-Bankruptcy Metrics and Surprises

40:35 Strategies for Reducing G&A Costs

45:50 Hardware Strategy and Market Positioning

51:30 Geographical Expansion and Market Focus

56:46 Future of Shared Micro Mobility and Bird