Is HERE WeGo a subsidiary of HERE Technologies?

HERE WeGo is not a subsidiary but a product line within HERE Technologies. It operates as the company's consumer navigation application, developed and maintained by HERE employees. HERE Technologies is the sole owner of the HERE WeGo brand and all associated technology.

When was HERE WeGo founded?

HERE WeGo was launched in 2012 as HERE Maps, initially on Nokia Lumia Windows Phone devices. The app was rebranded as HERE WeGo in 2016 following Nokia's sale of HERE to the German automotive consortium. The underlying mapping technology dates back to 1985 with the founding of Navteq.

Who founded HERE WeGo?

HERE WeGo was developed by HERE Technologies, which traces its origins to Navteq, founded in 1985 by Karlin & Collins. The consumer app was created internally by HERE's product teams following the company's rebranding from Nokia's mapping division in 2012.

What is HERE WeGo's market position?

HERE WeGo operates as a free, mass-market navigation app competing with Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze. Its differentiation lies in strong transit integration, offline navigation, and independence from advertising-driven business models. The app has a smaller user base than its major competitors but is valued for its data quality and multi-modal routing.

Is HERE WeGo available internationally?

HERE WeGo is available in 196 countries on iOS, Android, and web browsers. The app provides turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps, and transit directions globally, with more detailed features available in major metropolitan areas. Its strongest user base is in Europe, where HERE has deep automotive partnerships.

Technology & Software

Who Owns HERE WeGo?

Q: Is HERE WeGo publicly traded?

HERE WeGo is not publicly traded. Its parent company, HERE Technologies, is privately held and controlled by a consortium of automotive manufacturers and technology companies including Volkswagen Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Intel.

HERE WeGo is owned by HERE Technologies, a privately held multinational mapping and location data company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. HERE was founded in 1985 as Navteq, acquired by Nokia in 2007 for $8.1 billion, and sold in 2015 to a consortium of German automakers (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz Group) for EUR 2.8 billion. HERE WeGo operates as a wholly-owned consumer product of HERE Technologies, which employs approximately 9,000 people and provides mapping services in approximately 200 countries. The app is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers, offering turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps, and public transit directions. Unlike Google Maps and Waze, HERE WeGo is free and advertising-free, funded by HERE's B2B automotive and enterprise revenue.

Parent Company

HERE Technologies

Founded

2012

Status

Private

Headquarters

Eindhoven, Netherlands

HERE WeGo Timeline

1985

HERE Technologies

Parent company established in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

Company Founded

2012

HERE WeGo

Founded by HERE Technologies (internal development)

Founded

freemass marketGlobalall-agesOfficial Website

Who Owns HERE WeGo?

Parent Company: HERE Technologies
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Company Type: Privately Held

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
HERE WeGo	HERE Technologies	Wholly owned

History of HERE WeGo

Founded: 2012
Founders: HERE Technologies (internal development)

HERE WeGo's origins trace back to 1985, when Karlin & Collins founded Navigation Technologies Corporation (later shortened to Navteq) in Chicago, Illinois. Navteq built its business by creating digital map databases for automotive navigation systems, becoming one of the two dominant global map data providers alongside Tele Atlas (later acquired by TomTom).

In 2007, Nokia acquired Navteq for $8.1 billion, integrating the company into its Location & Commerce unit. Nokia ran Navteq's business alongside its own Nokia Maps (originally launched as Ovi Maps in 2007), gradually merging the two operations. In 2012, Nokia rebranded the combined mapping division as HERE, bringing together Navteq's map data infrastructure with Nokia's consumer mapping applications.

The HERE Maps consumer app was launched in 2012, initially available on Nokia Lumia Windows Phone devices. The app provided turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps, and transit directions. When Nokia sold its devices and services business to Microsoft in 2014, HERE Maps remained with Nokia as part of the HERE division.

In 2015, Nokia sold HERE to the German automotive consortium. Following the acquisition, the new owners invested in expanding HERE's mapping capabilities, particularly for automotive applications. The consumer app was rebranded as HERE WeGo in 2016, reflecting a renewed focus on the consumer navigation market.

HERE WeGo launched on iOS and Android, bringing the app beyond its Windows Phone origins. The app differentiated itself through strong public transit integration, offline navigation, and pedestrian-friendly features. In 2017, HERE WeGo added real-time traffic information powered by probe data from connected vehicles and mobile devices.

Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, HERE WeGo expanded its coverage and features. The app added cycling directions, ride-sharing integration, and multi-modal routing that combined walking, transit, and ride-sharing options. HERE also introduced 3D landmarks and indoor venue maps for major buildings and transportation hubs.

In 2022, HERE WeGo added electric vehicle routing, allowing drivers to plan routes with charging stops based on their vehicle's range and charging network availability. The app also improved its real-time traffic capabilities using HERE's LiveSense AI technology, which processes sensor data from connected vehicles to detect traffic conditions.

In 2024 and 2025, HERE continued to invest in its consumer app while focusing primarily on its B2B automotive and enterprise business. HERE WeGo added improved lane guidance, junction views, and speed limit displays. The app also integrated with HERE's Unimaps platform, which unifies map data from multiple sources into a single, consistent global map.

As of 2026, HERE WeGo is available in 196 countries on iOS, Android, and web browsers. The app remains free to use, supported by HERE's broader B2B revenue model. This makes HERE WeGo one of the few major navigation apps not tied to an advertising-driven business model or a hardware ecosystem.

About HERE Technologies

What does HERE Technologies own?
HERE Technologies owns the HERE WeGo consumer navigation app and several B2B location technology products including HERE Unimaps, HERE HD Live Map, HERE Traffic, HERE Positioning, and HERE LiveSense. The company also owns its proprietary mapping database, which covers approximately 200 countries and has been built over 40 years of data collection.

Is HERE Technologies publicly traded?
No, HERE Technologies is not publicly traded. The company is privately held and controlled by a consortium of automotive manufacturers and technology companies including Volkswagen Group (through Audi), BMW, Mercedes-Benz Group, Intel, Mitsubishi Corporation, NTT, and Continental AG.

Who founded HERE Technologies?
HERE Technologies traces its origins to 1985, when Karlin & Collins, Inc. was founded in Chicago, Illinois. The company was later restructured as Navigation Technologies Corporation (Navteq). The current entity, HERE Technologies, was formed in 2012 under Nokia's ownership, combining Navteq's map data with Nokia's mapping applications.

Where is HERE Technologies headquartered?
HERE Technologies is headquartered in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands. The company has major operations in Chicago (United States), Berlin (Germany), Mumbai (India), and Tokyo (Japan), with approximately 5,500 employees across 68 countries.

How many brands does HERE Technologies own?
HERE Technologies owns one consumer brand (HERE WeGo) and several B2B products (HERE Unimaps, HERE HD Live Map, HERE Traffic, HERE Positioning, HERE LiveSense). The company's portfolio is focused on mapping technology rather than a broad range of consumer brands.

Who owns HERE Technologies?
HERE Technologies is owned by a consortium of companies. The original 2015 acquisition consortium consisted of Audi (Volkswagen Group), BMW, and Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz Group), who purchased HERE from Nokia for EUR 2.8 billion. Intel joined in 2017, Mitsubishi Corporation and NTT joined in 2019, and Continental AG also joined as a shareholder. Exact ownership percentages are not publicly disclosed.

What is HERE Technologies' revenue?
HERE Technologies does not publicly disclose financial results because it is privately held. PitchBook data and industry analysis estimate annual revenue at approximately EUR 940 million, derived primarily from automotive contracts, enterprise location intelligence, and developer APIs. The EUR 2.8 billion acquisition price in 2015 provides a reference point for the company's value.

Founded: 1985
Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
Company Type: Privately Held
Revenue: Approximately EUR 940 million (estimated, 2025)
Employees: Approximately 5,500

Visit HERE Technologies website

View full company profile for HERE Technologies

Where Is HERE WeGo Made / Based?

Headquarters: Eindhoven, Netherlands

HERE WeGo Categories & Tags

Navigation Mapping Traffic Gps Mobile App Location Services

HERE WeGo Sustainability & Ethics

HERE WeGo's sustainability profile is shaped by its parent company's B2B business model and ownership by automotive manufacturers. The app is free for users and does not display advertising, which distinguishes it from advertising-funded competitors like Google Maps and Waze.

Advertising-Free Model: HERE WeGo does not collect and sell user data for advertising purposes. The app is funded through HERE Technologies' B2B automotive and enterprise contracts, meaning user data is not monetized through ad targeting. This model reduces privacy concerns associated with advertising-driven navigation apps.

Electric Vehicle Routing: In 2022, HERE WeGo added electric vehicle routing, allowing drivers to plan routes with charging stops based on their vehicle's range and charging network availability. This feature supports the transition to electric vehicles by reducing range anxiety and improving charging infrastructure accessibility.

Multi-Modal and Transit Routing: HERE WeGo's strong public transit integration and multi-modal routing (combining walking, transit, cycling, and ride-sharing) encourage the use of public transportation and active transportation modes, which can reduce individual car dependency in urban areas.

Data Collection Practices: HERE Technologies collects probe data from connected vehicles and mobile devices to improve its traffic and road condition information. Users of HERE WeGo contribute anonymous probe data that helps refine real-time traffic data. The company's data collection practices are governed by its privacy policy and applicable regulations including GDPR.

HERE WeGo has not received independent third-party sustainability certifications. HERE Technologies publishes limited environmental, social, and governance information as a privately held company. Consumers seeking detailed sustainability data should consult HERE Technologies' corporate website.

Awards & Recognition

PCMag Best Navigation Apps: HERE WeGo has been featured in PCMag's roundups of best navigation apps, recognized for its offline navigation capabilities and transit integration.
NextBillion Waze Alternatives: HERE WeGo has been listed among top alternatives to Waze and Google Maps, particularly valued for its privacy-friendly, advertising-free approach.
Automotive-Grade Data: HERE WeGo uses the same mapping data that HERE provides to automotive manufacturers for in-car navigation systems, giving the app data quality that is independently validated by automotive industry standards.

HERE WeGo Recalls & Controversies

Privacy and Data Collection Concerns: Like all navigation apps, HERE WeGo collects location data from users to improve its mapping and traffic services. While HERE's advertising-free model reduces some privacy concerns compared to Google Maps and Waze, the app still collects probe data that is shared with HERE's automotive and enterprise customers. Users concerned about location tracking should review HERE's privacy policy.

Market Share and Competitive Pressure: HERE WeGo faces significant competitive pressure from Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze, which have much larger user bases and deeper integration with smartphone ecosystems. HERE WeGo's smaller user base limits its community-generated data for real-time traffic and hazard reporting, which can affect data freshness compared to competitors.

Automotive Ownership Priorities: HERE Technologies is controlled by a consortium of German automotive manufacturers (Volkswagen Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz Group). This ownership structure may prioritize B2B automotive features over consumer app development, potentially limiting the pace of HERE WeGo feature updates compared to competitors funded by consumer-focused business models.

Limited Financial Transparency: HERE Technologies is privately held and does not publicly disclose detailed financial information. This limits transparency about the company's investment in the consumer app relative to its B2B automotive and enterprise business.

HERE WeGo Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Backed by HERE's 40+ years of mapping expertise and automotive-grade data quality
+Funded by B2B automotive revenue, meaning no advertising or user data harvesting
+Strong offline navigation and multi-modal transit routing
+Independent from big tech ecosystems (Google, Apple, Amazon)
+Automotive consortium ownership ensures long-term investment in mapping infrastructure

Considerations

-Smaller user base than Google Maps and Apple Maps, limiting real-time community data
-Not publicly traded, meaning less financial transparency than competitors like TomTom
-Automotive ownership may prioritize B2B features over consumer app development
-Limited integration with smartphone ecosystems compared to Apple Maps or Google Maps
-Brand recognition is weaker than competitors, particularly outside Europe

Frequently Asked Questions About HERE WeGo

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to HERE WeGo

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
Apple Maps	Apple	USA	2012	Mass market	Global	All Genders
Sygic	Eurowag	Slovakia	2004	Mass market	Global	All Genders
TomTom GO	Tomtom	Netherlands	2002	Mid market	Global	All Genders
Waze	Alphabet	Israel	2008	Mass market	Global	All-ages
MapFactor Navigator	Mapfactor	Czech Republic	2001	Mass market	Europe	All Genders
Google Maps	Alphabet	USA	2005	Mass market	Global	All Genders