Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Swyng Carpool addresses significant gaps in Kenya's long-distance travel market by offering a secure, reliable, and socially engaging ride-sharing platform. For passengers, the service meets unmet needs by enhancing safety and trust through social network

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Swyng Carpool addresses significant gaps in Kenya's long-distance travel market by offering a secure, reliable, and socially engaging ride-sharing platform. For passengers, the service meets unmet needs by enhancing safety and trust through social network-based travel with friends or acquaintances and features like an SOS button and real-time GPS tracking. It also provides reliability and convenience, allowing passengers to book rides in advance and receive AI-powered travel recommendations for timely pickups and drop-offs. Additionally, Swyng Carpool offers a more comfortable and personalized travel experience, enabling passengers to specify preferences and travel with fewer people. For car owners, Swyng Carpool provides an opportunity to earn extra income by monetizing empty seats, helping to offset rising fuel and maintenance costs. The platform simplifies ride coordination with easy posting and booking features, ensuring efficient travel arrangements

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Travellers suffer severe inconveniences due to delays in public transport caused by: lack of proper aggregation & scheduling of travel, Need for last mile transport We set out to do research among various stakeholders including: passengers, operators & car owners to determine: Extent of the problem Current interventions Limitations of current interventions Unpredictable in availability

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Swyng Carpool is a ride-sharing platform aiming to revolutionize long-distance travel in Kenya. We aim to provide an environment where travelers enjoy a social, safe, reliable and convenient travel experience by reinventing how people commute between cities in Kenya. Strong social element to travelling People feel secure and safe when travelling with friends and people they know People feel free to communicate their preferences and accommodate preferences of others when travelling with friends People do not feel that their private space is intruded if they know each other with the people they are travelling with.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

we have two sets of customers; car owners willing and are looking to offer extra seats i their vehicles and travelers who would want to travel by carpooling option.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-02-02

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Bria Kipkirui CEO With a background in electronics design and hardware engineering, Brian's entrepreneurial spirit has led him to co-found a company focused on infrastructure projects, including telecommunications. Victor korir CTO A UC Berkeley graduate in Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, Victor's software development experience with tech giants like Adobe, Salesforce, and Microsoft brings unparalleled technical prowess. His 4 years in the industry have honed his skills in creating software products for millions of users. Berly Nyajuoga CFO With over 5 years of experience in financial analysis, Beryl's expertise in financial modeling, investment analysis, and financial reporting ensures our financial stability and growth. Her strategic thinking guides our financial decision-making. Kenneth Kibet COO

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.facebook.com/swyngcarpool. https://swyngmobility.com/. https://www.linkedin.com/company/swyng-carpool/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

c) Industry (equipment, commercial, logistical and professional services, transport)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By allowing vehicle owners to offer rides, our startup offers them an opportunity to earn additional income to substitute other sources. Additionally, this encourages financial savings by sharing travel costs by travelers. this can easily be demonstrated by travelers who have used this platform attending events, journeys bring together their resources.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

one of the key selling points of the platform is comfort. this is from the online booking of rides to customized picking and drop off zones. also by avoiding crowded bus stops, travelers get the most ideal and trouble free travel

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

the platform does not discriminate against any gender or any other minority groups by encouraging everyone to come onboard. Our marketing campaigns highly encourages everyone to come onboard additionally by maintaining equitable hiring process Swyng has ensured all genders are well represented.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Swyng carpool aims to reduce the number of cars on our roads, this way we achieve a target of limiting emission gasses to the atmosphere by sharing vehicles.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

the platform uses AI to optimize ride recommendations to users that is both drivers and riders which encourages innovation. the eventual goal is to build a social experience around travelers.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

we contribute to reduced inequalities by giving travelers access to comfort tat they would have otherwise missed through underfunded and underdeveloped public transport

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

our goal to have social experience through travel aims to bring people together. through our social media and chat enabled android app, we encourage our travelers to link app with others to form a community beyond the journey

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

we aim to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and eventually reduce carbon emissions by bringing travelers together.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

by coming to share journeys, riders and drivers have to partner from pickup to destination. we have a vibrant social media engagement and mobile app that primarily aims to bring people together and share costs on the road

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Unlike traditional carpooling or ride-sharing platforms, Swyng connects users with friends and trusted acquaintances, fostering a sense of community and safety. This social networking aspect of Swyng not only enhances user enjoyment but addresses common concerns around traveling with strangers, creating a more personalized and reassuring travel environment. This innovative approach leverages the natural desire for social interaction, making long-distance travel not just a necessity but a socially enriching experience.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Public Transport (Matatus and Buses): Strengths: They are widely accessible and cost-effective, serving as the primary mode of transport for the majority of the population. Limitations: Characterized by unpredictable schedules, overcrowding, and often inadequate last-mile connectivity. Safety concerns also arise due to the lack of stringent regulations and overcrowding. Ride-Hailing Services (e.g., Uber, Bolt): Strengths: These services offer more reliable and trackable travel options, improving the convenience and safety aspects. Limitations: They are primarily focused on urban areas, often not suitable for long-distance travel due to higher costs. They also don't address the environmental impact of increased vehicle usage. Informal Carpooling Networks: Strengths: Informal networks, often organized through social connections or ad-hoc arrangements, provide a more cost-effective and community-oriented approach to travel. Limitations: These networks lack formal structure, safety assur

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?