In a world where African startups are reshaping what’s possible, one Kenyan mobility company is proving that the road from Nairobi can lead straight to the world stage.
We’re proud to announce that BuuPass has qualified for the Grand Finale of the Startup World Cup 2025 a prestigious global competition that brings together the most promising startups from over 70 countries to compete for a $1 million investment prize. More than just a pitch stage, this is a platform where dreams, determination, and solutions built from the ground up take the spotlight.
And we’re honored to carry Kenya, East Africa, and the African continent with us.
🌍 What Is the Startup World Cup?
The Startup World Cup, organized by global investment firm Pegasus Tech Ventures, was launched in 2016 with a simple yet powerful vision:
To connect entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders from around the world, and showcase the next generation of game-changing startups.
Every year, regional competitions are held across major global hubs, from Tokyo to Nairobi, San Francisco to Cape Town. Startups pitch locally, with finalists earning the chance to present at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. The winner walks away with a $1 million investment, but all finalists gain access to global exposure, strategic networks, and potential partnerships.
For many, it’s not just a launchpad, it’s a leap forward.
Our Road to the World Stage
For BuuPass, it all started with one idea: what if we could make public transport in Africa simple, accessible, and reliable using technology?
That idea became a mission.
That mission became a movement.
And now, that movement has earned a place on the global innovation stage.
Over the past few years, we’ve digitized intercity bus transport across Kenya and Uganda, built an integrated platform serving both passengers and operators, and processed millions of journeys. But behind every booked ticket was something bigger a belief that African problems deserve African-led solutions.
Competing at the Startup World Cup Kenya regional finals wasn’t just about pitching our platform. It was about sharing our purpose: to unlock mobility, access, and opportunity for everyday people across the continent.
When our name was called as a finalist, it wasn’t just a win for BuuPass. It was a win for local innovation with global relevance.
Why This Moment Matters
This isn’t just about one company. It’s about what’s possible when African startups are given a seat at the global table.
Being named a finalist signals something powerful:
- That African founders are building scalable, investment-ready, tech-driven businesses.
- That the world is ready to take African innovation seriously as competitive, visionary, and investable.
- That a ticket, something as everyday as travel can be the spark that drives systemic transformation.
As we prepare to pitch in Silicon Valley, we do so not as underdogs but as equals, bringing bold ideas from Nairobi, Kampala, Mombasa, and beyond.
💡 What We’re Taking to the Finals
At the Startup World Cup finals, we’ll be sharing more than our product. We’ll be sharing:
- A vision of data-driven mobility that helps cities reduce congestion and emissions.
- A platform that empowers transport operators with tools to manage fleets and grow sustainably.
- A commitment to building an inclusive Africa, where rural and urban communities are connected and no one is left behind.
Our story is just one of many across the continent. But this moment reminds us that African innovation isn’t just catching up it’s leading the way.
Thank You for Driving With Us
To our users who trust us with your journeys,
To the transport operators who believed in us before anyone else,
To the investors, partners, and mentors who saw the long road ahead,
Thank you.
This milestone is yours too. Because driving innovation forward is never a solo mission it’s a shared one.
See You in Silicon Valley
The Grand Finale will take place later this year in San Francisco. We’ll be there proudly representing Kenya, the East African tech ecosystem, and a continent rich in ideas, grit, and limitless potential.
We hope you’ll be watching, cheering, and dreaming with us.
Because Africa isn’t just participating in the future. We’re building it.
🔗 Follow our journey @BuuPass on all social media platforms
Collaborate or support? Reach out via help@buupass.com
Book your next trip on www.buupass.com and ride with a company that’s going places.