WhereIsMyTransport raises R12m, opens international office

Cape Town-based startup WhereIsMyTransport has announced the completion of a R12-million funding round as well as the opening of an international office.

Based in London, the international office is meant to help WhereIsMyTransport better connect with its clients — cities and transit operators around the globe

“We’ve very proud to be a company that was born and raised in Africa, and our commitment to building solutions that serve developing cities remains unchanged,” says co-founder Devin de Vries.

“Having an international base for operations makes it easier for us to reach other cities outside Africa and gives us the resources, credibility and access to venture capital needed to compete on a global scale.”

According to a press release sent to Ventureburn, the funding round was oversubscribed and included funders from private and public institutions with a range of industry expertise.

Infotech (part of the Mertech Group, a R3-billion private investment firm) pioneered the development of location-based technology in South Africa. International support came from Horizen Ventures and Goodwell Investments, a Dutch early-stage venture fund, and Wim van der Beek (founding partner at Goodwell) has joined the board of directors.

Tom Boardman, former CEO of Nedbank and chairman of Athena Capital, as well as a Kim Fennell, CEO of deCarta, an Uber technologies company, have both made personal investments.

Read more: WhereIsMyTransport releases innovative public transport app in Tshwane

“We’ve been fortunate to have a fantastic group of investors from key industries join us,” says de Vries. “Their added expertise and experience will be crucial as we enter a new phase of product development and international expansion.”

In addition to the overseas office, the Cape Town headquarters of WhereIsMyTransport have moved from the suburban garage where they began seven years ago, to a new campus in town that can accommodate its expanding team. “Leaving the garage was the end of an era—that’s where it all began. Our relocation helps mark the new phase of growth and development we’re entering,” de Vries says. “Both our overseas office, and our new Cape Town offices are part of our transition to a more mature phase.”

WhereIsMyTransport is one of thirteen companies in the Knife Capital Incubator, Grindstone, and is a member of the Microsoft BizSpark Programme.