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50 creative startups will compete in COMEUP Stars 2024's "Startup Valley" IR pitching session . Thirty Rookie League firms, ten Runners League companies, and ten Rocket League companies are among the participants . A new company located in Kampala called Karaa Solutions is revolutionising African transport .Geofrey Mutabazi, CEO of Karaa Solutions Limited, confirmed the company’s involvement in “COMEUP Stars 2024,” a component of the international startup festival COMEUP 2024. 50 creative startups will compete in COMEUP Stars 2024’s “Startup Valley” IR pitching session. Thirty Rookie League firms, ten Runners League companies, and ten Rocket League companies—selected based on the advisory committee’s and COMEUP House’s recommendations—are among the participants.
The finalists demonstrate the global reach of COMEUP by representing 13 nations, including South Korea, the US, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, India, and Turkey. A new company located in Kampala called Karaa Solutions is revolutionising African transport by bringing reasonably priced and environmentally friendly electric mobility options.
In order to increase accessibility and productivity for both urban and rural communities, Karaa was founded by Geofrey Mutabazi, a Climate Reality Leader and ardent entrepreneur. In less than ten minutes, the company’s exclusive electric bicycle conversion kit can transform regular bicycles into electric automobiles. This invention tackles the continent’s urgent problems of inefficient transit, exorbitant prices, and environmental effects.
The innovative electric bicycle conversion kit from Karaa, which includes a sophisticated pedal-assist system, battery, and electric motor, will be showcased at COMEUP 2024. With the help of the equipment, bicycles may travel 120 kilometres at up to 32 km/h. It is suitable for areas with little access to electricity because the battery may be charged using solar energy or wall outlets. Because Karaa’s technology is scalable and reasonably priced, electric transportation is now available throughout Africa without the need for specialised infrastructure.
The advantages of the kit go beyond only mobility. Karaa helps to sustain the environment by lowering carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, by allowing users to travel farther with less effort, the pedal-assist technology boosts productivity. Because of this, the system is perfect for logistical applications in small businesses, healthcare, and agriculture. The solution’s long-term viability is ensured by local assembly and manufacturing collaborations, which also improve affordability, job generation, and simplicity of maintenance.
Over 120 bicycles have now been powered by Karaa, travelling over 100,000 kilometres throughout several African locations. By means of partnerships with entities such as Buffalo Bicycles, World Bicycle Relief, Sawan, and Africrooze, Karaa has disseminated its solutions and created electric mobility initiatives in the fields of logistics and agriculture. These collaborations have demonstrated how revolutionary Karaa’s solutions can be in enhancing productivity and mobility.
Karaa hopes to broaden its network and establish connections with possible investors, partners, and technology specialists by taking part in COMEUP 2024. South Korea’s robust manufacturing industry and cutting-edge technology provide priceless learning opportunities. Karaa is especially eager to establish connections with South Korean businesses in order to improve its production procedures and look into creative ways to expand its business. For its growth, Karaa is focussing on markets in East, West, and Southern Africa. One of the first countries to get its electric bicycle conversion kits is Zambia, a nation with a high rate of bicycle use comparable to Uganda.
Plans call for setting up micro-assembly sites to aid in regional production and forming alliances with healthcare institutions and cooperatives to incorporate electric bicycles into supply chains. Karaa is still dedicated to growing its business and offering sustainable transportation solutions throughout the continent, even in the face of finance difficulties, import restrictions, and logistics expenses.
COMEUP 2024, which will take place at Coex in Seoul from December 11–12, will bring together investors and creative companies from more than 40 nations. The subject for this year, “Innovation Beyond Borders,” emphasises the contributions that entrepreneurs make to advancing global innovation across national and technological borders. Conferences, pitching sessions, and exhibits centred around deep tech, inbound innovation, and SIS (Sustainable Innovation by Startup) will all be part of the event.
