Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Gopay is a Fintech based in Nairobi Kenya offering tech solutions in Public transportation. We provide booking and cashless services to public service vehicles

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Gopay is a startup that leverages technology to power up public transportation in Africa Cities. We operate fixed and dynamic routes to create efficiency, affordability and reliability within town service public transport. We have created business tools in form of mobile apps that are used by commuters, bus owners and bus companies to enhance efficiency in public transport.

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

During peak hours, thousands of commuters are forced to make long queues as they go to and from work. We've provided a platform that allows commuters to book their rides in advance and only go to the terminus. Apart from booking, commuters pay their fare through cashless means eliminating the hassle of carrying cash as mobile money is a big industry in Kenya

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

1. Cashless services had enabled bus owners and bus companies to access their revenue in real time 2. Booking services has saved commuters valuable time that was used in queuing 3. Booking platform has lead to increased revenue to bus owners and bus companies 4. Cashless service directly impact on carbon footprint reduction

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

1. Our products directly serve commuters by providing them with booking and cashless services for fare 2. Bus owners collect their revenue and obtain reports in real time 3. Bus owners get their revenue in real time

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-07

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?

0

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

1. Julius Migwi - Co founder, CTO. Bsc Computer science, University of Nairobi. Founder Crystal Erp, a point of sale system run by hotels and other institution. Has 13 yrs of software development 2. Lawrence Kamanda. Non technical. Founder of Advanta Africa, the largest service provider of Bulk sms and USSD services in Kenya

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/gopayke?mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We've created hobst 7 staff members directly and about 10 others indirectly

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

4

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

We are creating revenue for ourselves and others which makes it possible for them to access medical attention

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We have employed 2 women in our startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

By using cashless payments, we lead to forest conservation hence indirectly contributing to clean water

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

Our platform is cashless which aids in reducing carbon footprint

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We have provided out key staff with housing and continuously improves their perks to enable them live decent lifestyle

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Our products are a market lead and proprietary when it comes to public transport. Our driver's wallet enables the crew to access their payments upon reaching certain milestones

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Cashless services and electric vehicles ( currently have 8 on our platform) contribute to less carbon emissions hence cleaner and better cities

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Cashless service and use of electric buses combat climate change

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Use of cashless means less destruction of forest hence water catchment conservation

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

3

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

We are working to partner with key stake holders who are in production of electric vehicles. We are engaged in social media campaigns sensitizing commuters on benefits of going cashless

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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

5

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

6

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

5

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our direct competition would have been SWVL. It was Middle East company that closed it's East African market in October 2022. They had achieved at least 30,000 bookings daily. We are trying to tap into the unattended market size that was left by their exit as well as create new ones. We have signed one of their largest bus company supplier and are having record 12000 average bookings per day. Our main difference is that we are purely cashless and has our proprietary digital wallet that ensures real time revenue settlements

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our direct competition would have been SWVL and Jani. Our competitive advantage is that we have already signed long term contracts with the two most popular bus companies in Nairobi transporting at least 300,000 commuters daily. Unlike our competition, we have a proprietary digital wallet that ensures real time settlements of revenue separating revenues that belongs to different parties

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

We are training female drivers and conductors to take the role of crew that is male dominated. I attended to secondary schools to mentor young people on personal development skills