Mazi Mobility, based in Kenya, announces the launch of an electric motorcycle fleet backed by Venture Builder Satgana
Mazi Mobility announces the launch of an electric motorcycle fleet
Mazi Mobility, founded by Jesse Forrester as a mobility-as-a-service (Maas) startup, recently launched its flagship electric motorcycle fleet in Nairobi, Kenya. Mazi Mobility is backed by Satgana, a leading global venture capital firm.
Mazi uses motorcycles, locally referred to as 'bodas,' to accelerate the city's transition to more efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly modes of transport. Additionally, the startup introduced battery swapping stations that provide on-demand energy, resulting in a 50% reduction in transportation costs. The MK3 is available with a single or dual battery, with a range of up to 70km or 140km, respectively. Mazi is advancing the e-mobility sector through a multi-stakeholder approach. They are collaborating with boda operators, technical institutions, and manufacturers to ensure the service's success.
“Mazi is not just an electric vehicle company; we are advocates for a sustainable mass mobility transformation,” says Jesse Forrester, Mazi Mobility's co-founder and CEO.
“At Mazi, we believe that Africans should be able to travel efficiently and affordably between cities for less than the cost of owning a personal vehicle, while also reducing CO2 emissions. Which industry is better suited to witnessing this transformation than the boda? Mazi is taking a long-term view of mobility; we do not want to simply replicate the status quo with electric vehicles. We move people, data, and things at Mazi. Twende Kazi na Mazi na Mazi na Mazi na Mazi na
Satgana, a global venture builder on a mission to launch and fund responsible startups aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is assisting Mazi on their journey (SDGs).
Satgana invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs whose business models are built around addressing the SDGs' social and environmental pillars. They become active partners in their startups, assisting them with strategy, technology, investor readiness, and impact management.
Contribution of Mazi Mobility
Mazi Mobility, as an e-mobility startup, contributes to one or more of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG#8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG#11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG#13 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
In an interview with TechCabal, Konstantin Behr, Venture Builder at Satgana, shared what he looks for in prospective founders:
“From the start, we assess a founder's commitment to impact – this helps us determine if we are a good fit for them and vice versa.
I am extremely passionate about the African continent, and in my three years working in the ecosystem, I have witnessed incredible growth in startups and increased interest from foreign investors. Mazi Mobility is our first foray into the African continent.”
While the majority of Venture Builders hire founders to execute their product or business ideas and strategic plans, Satgana's approach is unique and unconventional.
Satgana's mission is to build and invest in startups alongside purpose-driven entrepreneurs, wherever they are, by utilizing innovative and market-based approaches to address the world's most pressing social and environmental problems. And together with Mazi, they hope to write a new chapter in Africa's e-mobility history.
Romain Diaz, Satgana's founder and CEO, elaborated on the company's first portfolio venture, stating,
“With the pressing need to decarbonize our economies, transportation is on the verge of a fundamental shift toward electric solutions, and African mobility is ripe for disruption. As such, Satgana is ecstatic to be a part of Mazi's launch and has complete faith in the founding team's ability to succeed. Since day one, we have been impressed with Jesse's vision and ability to execute. We are honored to be able to support Mazi in its mission to make urban transportation sustainable while empowering low-income drivers as a Venture Builder.”
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Basic Electronics Course and Certificate
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