07 Jun 2021
Naspers invests R42 million in mobility technology company WhereIsMyTransport
Naspers invests R42 million in mobility company that improves public transport access in high-growth market cities.
Naspers announced a R42 million (US$3 million) investment in Cape Town-founded, WhereIsMyTransport through its early-stage tech investment vehicle. The investment is part of a R201 million (US$14.5 million) funding round led by Naspers Foundry, Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, and SBI Investment.
WhereIsMyTransport is a mobility technology company that maps formal and informal public transport networks and uses this data and technology to improve the public transport experience, making the public commute more reliable, predictable, safe, inclusive and accessible for millions of people in highly populated megacities.
It licences these mobility datasets to governments, development finance institutions, NGOs, operators and third-party solution developers for the purpose of research, analytics, insights and consumer and enterprise solutions.
Its aim is to develop solutions that provide commuters in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America with real-time public transport network alerts, to improve their mobility and reduce the time they spend commuting.
In South Africa, WhereIsMyTransport’s clients included among others, Johannesburg commuter rail system Gautrain and Transport for Cape Town, and as part of its international client base Google, the World Bank and WSP along with others.
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO of Naspers, said: “Mobility remains an obstacle for billions of people in high-growth markets across the world. Our investment in WhereIsMyTransport is 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.”
Fabian Whate, Head of Naspers Foundry, said: “WhereIsMyTransport has 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.”
Devin de Vries, WhereIsMyTransport CEO and Co-founder said: "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."
The mobility technology company has reached an important milestone by launching its first consumer product, Rumbo, in Latin America. Rumbo is the first to provide network information from all modes of public transport in this market and has over 100,000 users and delivered over 750,000 real-time network alerts since its launch in Mexico City in November 2020. The app will be launched in Lima, Peru later this year.
Through Prosus Ventures, Naspers invested in European micro-mobility company Dott in 2018, with a follow-on investment this year and in Pakistan-based on-demand transport and logistics company Bykea in 2020.
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For more information please contact:
Fabian Whate, Naspers Foundry Email: [email protected]
Shamiela Letsoalo, Media Relations
Mobile +27 78 802 6310 Email: [email protected]
About Naspers
Established in 1915, Naspers has transformed itself to become a global consumer internet company and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Through Prosus, the group operates and invests globally in markets with long-term growth potential, building leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus has its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam, and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Naspers is the majority owner of Prosus.
In South Africa, Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the technology sector and is committed to building its internet and ecommerce companies. These include Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Autotrader, Property24 and PayU, in addition to Media24, South Africa’s leading print and digital media business.
Naspers has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (NPN.SJ), a secondary listing on the A2X Exchange (NPN.AJ) in South Africa, and has a level 1 American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme which trades on an over-the-counter basis in the United States of America.
For more information, please visit www.naspers.com.
Naspers Labs
In 2019, Naspers Labs, a youth development programme designed to transform and launch South Africa’s unemployed youth into economic activity, was launched. Naspers Labs focuses on digital skills and training, enabling young people to pursue tech careers.
Response to COVID-19
Naspers contributed R1.5 billion of emergency aid to support the South African government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This contribution consisted of R500 million towards the Solidarity Fund and R1 billion worth of PPE sourced and distributed to South Africa’s front-line healthcare workers. In addition, Naspers contributed R6.9 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's EachOne FeedOne programme to support families who COVID-19 has impacted with meals for a year.