Bee Group, a Cameroonian startup comprised of Bee Motos-taxis and Bee Delivery, two companies specializing in motorcycle transport and product delivery, has secured funding of 80,000 euros (more than 50 million FCFA) to expand its program to improve mobility in Africa. According to an official press release, “Bee officially joins the startups sponsored by the innovation center activSpaces, which connects them with its partner Cameroon Angel Network (CAN) as a result of this funding.”
According to the startup, CAN provided funding in the amount of 20,000 euros (roughly 13 million FCFA), while Catalytic Africa, a new endowment fund established by African Business Angles Network (ABAN), provided “a three-fold matching fund, resulting in a total investment of 80,000 euros. Since its inception, this is the program’s first investment in French-speaking Africa,” Bee said.
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With this capital, the Cameroonian startup plans to launch soon in the DRC and Ivory Coast, as well as launch new offerings starting in 2022.
Bee, which was founded by Patrick Timani and began operations in Douala in 2018, aims to improve motorbike taxi transportation, which is one of the biggest sources of urban disorder in Cameroon’s commercial metropolis. Bee Sarl has established a VIP motorcycle taxi service to do this. This structure connects consumers with motorcycle taxis and drivers for their travels via a mobile app or a contact center.
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Unlike ordinary motorcycle taximen, drivers of the Bee network are recognizable by their yellow jackets and black helmets. This protective equipment is also provided for each customer. At the end of the race, customers also have the option of rating their drivers, on parameters such as punctuality at the meeting or the manner of driving.
Bee Group taxis delivery Bee Group taxis delivery
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer