Uber driver launches translation app, seeks 1,000 downloads to pitch to investors

Frederico Coutrim isn’t your typical Uber driver. While shuttling passengers around San Francisco, he’s also working on something big—an app that could make it easier for people from different countries to communicate. It’s called TransChatMe, and it translates messages in real time, so you don’t have to copy and paste into a separate translation app. You just write your message in your language, and it automatically gets translated to the recipient’s language. It’s designed to make conversations smoother, especially for people who aren’t fluent in English or are trying to communicate with someone who speaks a different language.
The idea came to Frederico while driving for Uber. As a Brazilian living in the U.S., he often encountered passengers who spoke different languages. He noticed how difficult it could be for people who didn’t share a common language to communicate, especially in everyday situations. Whether it’s giving directions to a driver, placing an order at a restaurant, or just having a casual conversation, the language barrier can be frustrating. So, Frederico decided to build a solution.
TransChatMe could be especially helpful for gig workers like Uber drivers, delivery people, and their customers, who often come from diverse backgrounds and may not speak the same language. With this app, anyone can send messages in their language and have them instantly translated, making interactions smoother and more efficient.
Frederico’s story started gaining traction when a passenger in his Uber noticed a poster in the car asking for help. Frederico needed 1,000 downloads of the app to pitch it to investors, so the passenger’s friend, Reshan Khanna, shared the story on social media. Her post quickly gained attention, and within 24 hours, more than 200 people had downloaded the app.She wrote, “Chatting with our Uber driver who is building startup and looking for feedback. If anyone works in adjacent fields please hit him up,”
Frederico was overwhelmed by the response and sent a heartfelt thank-you email to Reshan. He wrote that her post had brought light to a dark time and gave him the motivation to keep pushing forward.
It’s inspiring to see how one person’s everyday job can turn into a platform for innovation. Frederico’s passion for solving a real-world problem is helping to bridge communication gaps, one conversation at a time.