BuuPass, East Africa’s leading digital mobility platform, has been selected to represent Kenya in the Startup World Cup—marking the country’s first-ever participation in the global startup competition.
Founded in 2016 by Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C digital marketplace for mobility that allows users to search, compare, and book travel tickets across web, mobile app, and USSD platforms. On the backend, its SaaS platform supports bus operators with tools to manage their operations, inventory, and ticket sales.
To date, BuuPass has:
- Sold over 16 million travel tickets
- Generated more than US$100 million in gross merchandise value (GMV)
- Participated in the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa
- Received support from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund
Kenya Joins the Startup World Cup for the First Time
Kenya’s entry into the Startup World Cup was made possible through a collaborative partnership involving Silicon Xchange, the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), and the Nairobi Business Angel Network (NaiBAN).
At a recent live pitch event featuring 10 innovative Kenyan startups, BuuPass emerged the winner, securing the opportunity to compete at the Startup World Cup grand finale in San Francisco, where a US$1 million investment prize is at stake.
“We’re honoured to have won the Kenya regional finals of the Startup World Cup. This milestone reflects the passion, grit, and commitment our team has poured into building a seamless transport booking experience for millions across Africa.”
— Wyclife Omondi, Co-founder, BuuPass
Amplifying African Innovation on a Global Stage
BuuPass’s selection for the Startup World Cup not only celebrates their achievements but also symbolizes the rising global presence of African tech startups.
“Representing Kenya at the global finale in San Francisco is both humbling and energising. It’s a powerful moment—not just for BuuPass, but for African innovation as a whole. We look forward to sharing our story, learning from other global startups, and showcasing the potential of Africa-born solutions on one of the biggest entrepreneurial stages in the world,”
— Wyclife Omondi
