6 years ago

Pakistan's Airlift Secures $2.2 Million Seed Funding for Bus Service Expansion

  • Airlift, a Pakistani transportation startup offering app-based bus services, has raised $2.2 million in a seed round led by Fatima Gobi Ventures and Indus Valley Capital

  • The company, operating in Lahore and Karachi, provides fixed-route, premium bus services and aims to build mass transit infrastructure in developing countries

  • The investment will be used to fuel expansion to Kenya and Bangladesh, with Airlift already facing competition from Cairo-based Swvl, which has recently expanded to Lahore

  • The article also highlights the increasing investment activity in Pakistani startups and the emergence of female-founded VCs in the region.

      • ProblemTransportation

      "In developing countries like Pakistan, people often face unreliable and inconvenient public transportation. This results in long commutes, wasted time, and a lack of mobility options, particularly for those who rely on public transportation."

      Solution

      "Airlift is building a platform to create reliable and efficient mass transit infrastructure in developing countries. They use technology to connect private bus operators, allowing them to run fixed routes at fixed timings, optimizing asset utilization. This provides a convenient, affordable, and efficient alternative to traditional public transportation, reducing commute times and costs."

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