Karaa Solutions Limited (CEO Geofrey Mutabazi) announced its participation in “COMEUP Stars 2024,” part of the global startup festival COMEUP 2024.
COMEUP Stars 2024 will feature 50 innovative startups in a competitive IR pitching session called “Startup Valley.” Participants include 30 companies in the Rookie League, 10 in the Runners League, and 10 selected from the Rocket League, which is based on recommendations from the COMEUP House and the advisory committee. The finalists represent 13 countries, including South Korea, the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, India, and Türkiye, showcasing COMEUP’s global scale.
Karaa Solutions, a Kampala-based startup, is transforming African transportation by introducing sustainable and affordable electric mobility solutions. Founded by Geofrey Mutabazi, a Climate Reality Leader and passionate entrepreneur, Karaa focuses on electrifying bicycles to improve accessibility and productivity for urban and rural communities. The company has developed a unique electric bicycle conversion kit that retrofits conventional bicycles into electric-powered vehicles in under 10 minutes. This innovation addresses the pressing challenges of transportation inefficiency, high costs, and environmental impact across the continent.
At COMEUP 2024, Karaa will present its electric bicycle conversion kit, a groundbreaking solution consisting of an electric motor, battery, and smart pedal-assist system. The kit enables bicycles to reach up to 32 km/h and travel 120 kilometers simultaneously. It is adaptable for regions with limited electricity, as the battery can be charged via wall outlets or solar power. Karaa’s solution is designed for affordability and scalability, making electric mobility accessible across Africa without requiring specialized infrastructure.
The kit’s benefits extend beyond transportation. By reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, Karaa contributes to environmental sustainability. Additionally, the pedal-assist system increases productivity by enabling users to travel longer distances with less effort. This makes the solution ideal for agriculture, healthcare, and small business logistics applications. Local assembly and manufacturing partnerships further enhance affordability, job creation, and maintenance ease, ensuring the solution’s long-term viability.
Karaa has already electrified over 120 bicycles across multiple African regions, covering more than 100,000 kilometers. Through collaborations with organizations like Buffalo Bicycles, World Bicycle Relief, Sawan, and Africrooze, Karaa has distributed its solutions and developed electric mobility projects in agriculture and logistics. These partnerships have highlighted the transformative potential of Karaa’s solutions in improving mobility and productivity.
By participating in COMEUP 2024, Karaa aims to expand its network and connect with potential partners, investors, and technology experts. South Korea offers invaluable learning opportunities with its strong manufacturing capabilities and advanced technology sector. Karaa is particularly interested in building relationships with South Korean companies to enhance its production processes and explore innovative solutions for scaling its operations.
Karaa is targeting markets in East, West, and Southern Africa for its expansion. Zambia, a country with widespread bicycle usage similar to Uganda, is one of the first destinations for its electric bicycle conversion kits. Plans include establishing micro-assembly locations to support local manufacturing and creating partnerships with cooperatives and healthcare organizations to integrate electric bicycles into supply chains. Despite logistics costs, import regulations, and financing challenges, Karaa remains committed to scaling its operations and providing sustainable mobility solutions across the continent.
COMEUP 2024 will occur on December 11–12 at Coex in Seoul, featuring innovative startups and investors from over 40 countries. This year’s theme, “Innovation Beyond Borders,” highlights startups’ roles in driving global innovation across boundaries of nations and technology. The event will feature conferences, pitching sessions, and exhibitions focusing on deep tech, inbound innovation, and SIS (Sustainable Innovation by Startup).
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