Former Waymo CFO jumps to self-driving startup Wayve
News Source
β’Wed, 16 Sep 2026 19:02:49 +0000
π° What Happened
Elisa de Martel has left Waymo to become finance chief at Wayve. Waymo is Alphabet's self-driving car company. Wayve is a much younger self-driving startup.
De Martel was Waymo's CFO from 2022 to January 2026. Wayve is valued at about $8.5 billion and was founded in 2017. It is based in Britain.
Wayve's outgoing CFO, Max Warburton, stays on as a strategic adviser. De Martel will work from Sunnyvale, California.
π The Backstory
Wayve builds driving software that learns from data. It does not need detailed maps, special hardware or hand-written rules. The company says that makes it easier for carmakers to use its system.
Wayve has raised $3.2 billion and works with carmakers such as Nissan and Stellantis. It has begun public rides in London with a safety driver on board. Tokyo is expected to follow.
At Waymo, de Martel helped steer a period of fast growth. Waymo raised $5.6 billion and was valued at more than $45 billion.
π― Why It Matters
Self-driving cars could change how people travel and how many driving jobs exist. Where top money people move shows which firms are likely to lead. It is also a hint at how soon driverless rides reach more cities.
Elisa de Martel has left Waymo to become finance chief at Wayve. Waymo is Alphabet's self-driving car company. Wayve is a much younger self-driving startup.
De Martel was Waymo's CFO from 2022 to January 2026. Wayve is valued at about $8.5 billion and was founded in 2017. It is based in Britain.
Wayve's outgoing CFO, Max Warburton, stays on as a strategic adviser. De Martel will work from Sunnyvale, California.
Wayve builds driving software that learns from data. It does not need detailed maps, special hardware or hand-written rules. The company says that makes it easier for carmakers to use its system.
Wayve has raised $3.2 billion and works with carmakers such as Nissan and Stellantis. It has begun public rides in London with a safety driver on board. Tokyo is expected to follow.
At Waymo, de Martel helped steer a period of fast growth. Waymo raised $5.6 billion and was valued at more than $45 billion.
Self-driving cars could change how people travel and how many driving jobs exist. Where top money people move shows which firms are likely to lead. It is also a hint at how soon driverless rides reach more cities.