Aftarobot

Meet the Entrepreneurs

Afta Robot November 2013

Mobile Innovation

afta robot by sowertech

Reducing commuter wait times and increasing accessibility to minibus taxi services Obakeng Matlohoko & Nathi Tshabalala, Co-founders, South Africa

CHALLENGE In South Africa, a significant information gap exists in the public transportation sector, specifically within the minibus transit system, also referred to by locals as “taxi.” Providing 65% of all public transportation and carrying 14 million passengers daily with an estimated 260,000 vehicles, this system is the primary means of transport in South Africa. Currently, there is no efficient line of communication between taxi dispatchers and customers, resulting in longer wait periods for customers across different routes. As the system is load-based, customers have to wait long periods of time before they are able to board a taxi. This makes taxis an unreliable means of transport and impedes customers in planning their day.

CONTACT INFORMATION Pretoria, South Africa +27 839 250 702

obby@sowertech.com

www.aftarobot.com

Pages/Afta-Robot/345165695587662

@Sowertech

@aftarobot

BUSINESS MODEL Afta Robot gives taxi drivers and dispatchers the opportunity to generate more revenue and help commuters save time.

The revenue model will be subscription-based, meaning that taxi companies and commuters will either pay a monthly or usage-based fee. The target audience consists of all public transport users and providers, representing close to 66% of South Africa’s population, including a large share of BoP (Base of the Pyramid) consumers.

The initial target market is focused around the City of Johannesburg, with a product launch in the Alexandra Township.

“ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM IS THE LACK OF DISSEMINATED PASSENGER INFORMATION.”

IDEA

Afta Robot was designed to capture real-time information that promotes matching customers with taxi dispatchers.

Launched in March 2013 as a commuter focused application, it was redesigned and relaunched in September 2013 as an industry focused application. The app is a commercial-based cloud service platform that offers taxi dispatchers mobile access to business intelligence and administration through vehicle tracking and route identification.

Afta Robot has currently completed the development phase and is partnering with the taxi company ARMSTA to pilot the application. The commercialization is expected to start in the coming months.

“UNLOCKING ACCESS TO MINIBUS TAXI ROUTE INFORMATION WILL REDUCE INEFFICIENCIES AND PASSENGER WAIT TIMES.”

www.infodev.org

twitter: @infoDev

ENTREPRENEUR’S INSIGHTS

NEXT STEPS

WORKING WITH mLab SOUTHERN AFRICA

Attract investors by offering equity • CUSTOMERS COME BEFORE PARTNERSHIPS: Before engaging in partnerships to achieve commercialization, conducting basic market research is key to identifying the demand for the product.

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• KNOW YOUR BUSINESS: Developing an application is not just about creating the perfect product; an entrepreneur needs to understand the business model. Invest time in building relationships, sharpening business skills, and understanding the market.

Finalize a financially sustainable subscription-based business model Complete creation of the next version of the application interface Expansion to new countries Expansion of application across multiple mobile platforms

• THE mLab HELPED SOWERTECH in building networks with different companies and partners, provided mentorship opportunities and supported a large-scale marketing campaign.

• EXCHANGE BETWEEN INCUBATEES was made easier through the mLab as it physically sets companies side by side. For example, Sowertech was able to subcontract other incubatees for application and brand development.

• RECOGNITION AMONG CLIENTS was improved by Sowertech because the mLab is strategically located in Pretoria and is well-connected to government agencies.

KEY OUTCOMES VALUE FOR USERS Reducing the information gap: Afta Robot keeps users informed, making the commuter experience less time-consuming.

Improved time management: Afta Robot provides commuters with reliable information to significantly reduce wait times and plan their daily activities.

More reliable transport: Thousands of working families rely on minibus taxi services to get to work. Afta Robot makes these services a more reliable means of transport.

More efficient fleet management: Taxi companies have access to business intelligence and administration through vehicle tracking and route identification (estimated number of taxis in the South African National Taxi Council: 300,000).

BUSINESS FACTS INVESTMENT ATTRACTED

USD65,000

TARGET MARKET

66% of the South African population (53 million)

from The Innovation Hub

primarily consumers at the BoP

Supported by:

www.infodev.org

twitter: @infoDev