Zeno, an electric mobility startup founded by Michael Spencer, has secured $9.5 million in seed funding to drive its mission of improving transportation in East Africa. Led by Lowercarbon Capital and Toyota Ventures, with contributions from 4DX Ventures, Active Impact, Advantedge, MCJ, and RedBlue, the funds will be used to develop Zeno’s swappable battery technology and launch affordable electric motorbikes by 2025.
Zeno wants to make electric mobility easy and affordable for East Africa. They’ve created a swappable battery system that lets users quickly replace batteries at swap stations, avoiding long charging times. Their electric motorbikes will be available for lease or purchase, and customers can choose to lease batteries or buy them outright. This is a great option for people in East Africa, where electric transportation is becoming increasingly popular in countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya.
Founded by Michael Spencer in 2022, Zeno is based in San Francisco, Nairobi, and Bangalore. The company is targeting the growing electric vehicle market in East Africa, especially in cities like Nairobi and Kampala, where motorbike taxis, or boda bodas, are widely used. Zeno’s swappable battery system powers not just electric motorbikes but also household appliances, providing much-needed energy in areas with limited electricity. The startup is designing tougher, heavier motorbikes with stronger batteries to better handle the rough conditions in the region.
Zeno is entering the electric motorbike market as electric vehicles become more popular in East Africa, especially in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya. The company will compete with established brands like BasiGo, Ampersand, Spiro, and Roam. Zeno aims to set itself apart by offering tougher motorbikes designed for rough roads and heavier loads. With its recent funding, Zeno plans to launch its swappable battery technology and affordable motorbikes in early 2025. Customers will have the choice to lease or buy the motorbikes, with flexible options for the batteries as well.
Zeno’s not just stopping at motorbikes – they’re also working on a home battery docking station that uses solar power, which will give people an alternative energy solution. This means customers can power their homes with swappable batteries, which is especially helpful in areas where electricity is unreliable. This approach to electric mobility and energy storage could really help Zeno stand out in the growing e-mobility market in East Africa. With their seed funding, Zeno’s one step closer to transforming transportation in the region, making a positive impact on the environment and people’s lives with their swappable battery technology and affordable electric motorbikes.
