Robin Chase Quotes

Powerful Robin Chase for Daily Growth

About Robin Chase

Robin Chase is an American entrepreneur, innovation expert, and activist, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar, a car-sharing company that revolutionized urban mobility and sustainability. Born on July 25, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, Robin developed her innovative spirit early in life, driven by her passion for improving cities and fostering more sustainable living. Robin received a B.A. in economics from Wellesley College and an M.B.A. from MIT's Sloan School of Management. During her time at MIT, she was deeply influenced by the teachings of urban planner and theorist Kevin Lynch, who emphasized the importance of creating cities that are human-centered, accessible, and livable. In 1988, Robin joined the nonprofit organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Washington D.C., where she worked on environmental issues such as deforestation and climate change. It was during her tenure at WWF that Robin became intrigued by the idea of peer-to-peer collaboration and its potential to solve complex social problems. In 1994, Robin co-founded Flexcar (later known as Zipcar) with Antje Danielson. The car-sharing platform allowed users to rent cars by the hour or day from designated parking spots within cities. By 2013, Zipcar had over one million members and was acquired by Avis Budget Group for $500 million. Robin's groundbreaking work with Zipcar earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2009. Today, Robin continues to explore new ways to create more sustainable and equitable cities through organizations such as the Peer-to-Peer Collaboration Lab at MIT Media Lab and Veniam, a smart city mobility company she co-founded in 2014. Through her innovative entrepreneurship, Robin Chase has demonstrated that it is possible to tackle complex social issues while creating profitable businesses that improve the lives of millions worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think what we're seeing is that the world can be built differently."

This quote by Robin Chase suggests a forward-thinking perspective about societal structures and systems. It implies that the current status quo is not immutable, and that it's possible to construct a different kind of world - one that operates more effectively, equitably, or sustainably than our existing systems. The quote encourages innovation, change, and optimism for a better future.


"We have to change our mindset and realize that every city could be a technology lab."

This quote by Robin Chase emphasizes the potential for cities worldwide to serve as experimental grounds for technological innovation. Instead of viewing cities as mere consumers of technology, we should envision them as dynamic spaces where new technologies can be tested, refined, and implemented. By embracing this mindset, cities can foster sustainable solutions tailored to their unique needs, ultimately leading to more efficient, resilient, and livable urban environments.


"The key innovation was to turn car ownership from an individual activity into a shared one."

The quote by Robin Chase highlights a shift in mindset, where instead of each person owning a personal vehicle, the concept of car-sharing is promoted. This transformation from individual ownership to communal use is considered the innovation's core aspect. By sharing vehicles, resources are optimized, reducing overall costs and environmental impact, while simultaneously addressing issues like traffic congestion and parking scarcity.


"The secret of Change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."

This quote emphasizes a proactive approach to change. Instead of wasting energy trying to destroy or eradicate the old systems, structures, or ways of doing things, it is more productive to invest that energy into creating something new. The idea is to channel your efforts positively towards constructing a better future, rather than getting bogged down in negative confrontations with the past.


"We can't just tweak the edges of existing systems – we need bold change that disrupts them entirely."

The quote emphasizes the need for transformative, disruptive changes rather than incremental improvements when addressing complex societal challenges. It suggests that traditional approaches to solving problems have reached their limits, and radical thinking is necessary to break free from outdated systems and create a more effective and equitable future.


My peers and colleagues inspire me.

- Robin Chase

Inspire, Colleagues, Me, Peers

Transportation is the center of the world! It is the glue of our daily lives. When it goes well, we don't see it. When it goes wrong, it negatively colors our day, makes us feel angry and impotent, curtails our possibilities.

- Robin Chase

Possibilities, Glue, Lives, Daily Lives

I would love to have had much more money so that I could be a philanthropist.

- Robin Chase

Love, Money, Would, Philanthropist

There is a group of entrepreneurs pushing the envelope, government officials that are making significant changes despite the odds, and visionary writers, academics, and colleagues whose work confirms, amplifies, and stretches my own thinking.

- Robin Chase

Changes, Own, Entrepreneurs, Envelope

There is a book yearning to come out of me: about how we can build the new collaboration economy, and the role of 'openness' in our quest for efficient use of resources and as a driver of innovation.

- Robin Chase

Innovation, New, Role, Driver

One reason Zipcar succeeded was its branding: cool, hip, smart, urban, fun, innovative. Who wouldn't want to be associated with that?

- Robin Chase

Cool, Reason, Want, Succeeded

I have never been motivated by money.

- Robin Chase

Money, Never, Been, Motivated

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