Former Waymo CFO jumps to self-driving startup Wayve

Former Waymo CFO Elisa de Martel has been appointed as CFO of self-driving startup Wayve, marking a significant shift in the company's leadership. De Martel brings extensive financial experience, including her role at Waymo where she was CFO from 2022 to 2026, a critical period for the company as it began commercial operations and raised $5.6 billion in a Series C round. Her appointment comes as Wayve moves from development and testing to a stage where it is preparing for deployment on two fronts: robotaxis and passenger vehicles. The company has raised $3.2 billion to date and has partnerships with automakers like Nissan and Stellantis.

• De Martel's appointment is seen as a strategic move to support Wayve's transition to commercial deployment.
• She will oversee financial strategy, capital allocation, and governance.
• Wayve's technology, which uses end-to-end neural networks without reliance on high-definition maps or custom hardware, is a key differentiator.
• The company has launched public rides in London and is preparing for deployment in Tokyo.
• Wayve's approach has attracted investors and automakers interested in its agnostic technology for robotaxis.

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