GoMetro is VentureOut Challenge finalist, will pitch for $10k from infoDev

South African mobile startup GoMetro has been selected as a Global Finalist in the VentureOut Challenge — an initiative of infoDev, a global partnership programme within The World Bank Group.

GoMetro’s transit app, which provides contextual public transport information directly to commuters’ mobile phones will compete against 12 other mobile apps from around the world, in front of a live audience and a panel of experts, in Chisinau, Moldova on 1 November.

The VentureOut initiative was launched to help mobile entrepreneurs expand internationally, and received over 110 entries from around the world. GoMetro is the only South African in the 12 finalists, with others from the rest of Africa, Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia.

As part of the infoDev process, GoMetro will receive ongoing mentorship over the next few weeks, in preparation for its pitch, from investors and entrepreneurs who have experience building companies and expanding them globally. infoDev will help by giving access to its considerable network. The Moldova conference will also include hands-on training sessions aimed at helping the finalists develop their customer base and other critical aspects of their business models.

Over the next three months GoMetro will be coached and mentored by a panel of mobile app internationalisation experts including Mark Thirman (Director of Partnerships and Ventures at Vodafone); Georgiana Mirea (Senior Manager, Mobile and Digital at American Express) and Scott Hartley –Partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures and White House Innovation Advisor.

GoMetro has made strong use information from official and unofficial sources, effectively positioning itself as the Waze of public transport.