SOUTH AFRICA – Mobility startup WhereIsMyTransport has raised a US$14.5 million Series A extension round as it bids to continue its expansion across emerging markets.
Formed in 2016, WhereIsMyTransport is a big data platform for sustainable mobility in emerging markets, which connects and collects data and integrates this information on its open data platform.
Its products are used by cities to coordinate and monitor services, operators to integrate their systems, and passengers, who access the platform through apps and endpoints connected to the WhereIsMyTransport platform.
The company, which is active in South Africa and Mexico, raised a US$7.5 million Series A round from investors including Google and Toyota Tsusho in March 2020, and has now banked a US$14.5 million extension.
The funding round was co-led by Naspers, which provided US$3 million via its investment arm Naspers Foundry, and Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, with Japan’s SBI Investment also participating.
WhereIsMyTransport will use the investment to continue its expansion across emerging markets, with a launch in Peru planned for later this year and it has already mapped 34 African cities, and has over 100,000 users.
“WhereIsMyTransport started in South Africa, focused on becoming a central source of accurate and reliable public transport data for high-growth markets. We’re thrilled to welcome Naspers as an investor as our journey continues in megacities across the majority world,” said chief executive officer (CEO) Devin de Vries.
“Our investment in WhereIsMyTransport is a testimony of our belief that great innovation and tech talent is found in South Africa, and with the right backing and support, these businesses can
provide solutions to local challenges that can improve the lives of ordinary people in South Africa and abroad”
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa – CEO, Naspers South Africa
Fabian Whate, head of Naspers Foundry, said WhereIsMyTransport had a strong track record of developing the best-in-class technology in improving the daily commutes of people across the world.
“The mobility technology company is a great addition to the Naspers Foundry investment portfolio, and we look forward to working with the WhereIsMyTransport team as they take their business to the next level,” he said.
In South Africa, WhereIsMyTransport’s clients include Johannesburg commuter rail system Gautrain and Transport for Cape Town while on the other hand, its international client base includes Google, the World Bank and WSP, and others.
South Africa CEO of Naspers Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa said: “Mobility remains an obstacle for billions of people in high-growth markets across the world. Our investment in WhereIsMyTransport is a testimony of our belief that great innovation and tech talent is found in South Africa, and with the right backing and support, these businesses can provide solutions to local challenges that can improve the lives of ordinary people in South Africa and abroad.”
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