Zeelo Expands Portfolio: Acquires UK-Based School Transport Specialist, Kura

Transportation technology company Zeelo has successfully acquired Kura, a UK-based specialist in school transportation and transport safeguarding software. While the terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, Zeelo recently raised $14 million in funding to bolster its profitability in the UK and facilitate rapid expansion in the United States.

Established in the UK in 2010, Kura has developed a Software as a Service (SaaS) and Transport as a Service (TaaS) platform, focusing on advanced safeguarding features. This platform aims to offer schools and colleges secure, efficient, and sustainable transportation programs. Kura also extends its services to include employee shuttles and charter transport for businesses throughout the UK.

Following the acquisition, the combined entities will form the largest virtual bus operation in the UK, boasting a substantial presence with over 220 customers, 450 operator partners, and a user base of 40,000 daily riders on the platform. The move aligns with Zeelo's strategic goals of expansion and enhancement of its transportation services in both the UK and the US.

Sam Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Zeelo, expressed excitement about the growth prospects following the recent $14 million fundraising and the acquisition of Kura. He highlighted the impressive technology and service delivery provided by the Kura team, emphasizing that their complementary business model would contribute to accelerating Zeelo's profitability in the UK. Ryan sees this acquisition as the first of many strategic moves in their growth strategy, with a focus on scaling operations in both the UK and US markets.

Godfrey Ryan, CEO of Kura, shared his enthusiasm for joining forces with Zeelo, describing it as a fantastic outcome for the Kura team. He emphasized the shared vision of providing sustainable, efficient, and safe transportation programs, expressing excitement about working collaboratively with the Zeelo team. Godfrey Ryan looks forward to serving their customers across the UK as a unified team.

The acquisition aligns with Zeelo's growth strategy, expanding its client product offering. Zeelo is currently in the pilot phase with corporate clients and fleet operators in the US, marking a significant step in its expansion plans in the American market.

Clients of Kura are poised to gain significant advantages from Zeelo's routing algorithm 'RINA', which leverages data for the optimization of bus programs. This technology has the potential to yield substantial benefits, including up to a 43 percent reduction in billing costs and a remarkable 50 percent increase in ridership.

Additionally, Zeelo remains committed to advancing the electrification of bus programs. The company has set an ambitious goal to transition all its services to net-zero emission battery-electric vehicles by 2030. Presently, 10 percent of Zeelo's clients in the UK have already made the transition to electric buses, reflecting a proactive approach toward sustainability and environmental responsibility. This investment aligns with the broader industry trend towards eco-friendly transportation solutions.