Kenyan startup NoMa is a tech-powered platform reshaping school transportation, focusing on safe, reliable rides with optimised routes, real-time tracking, and seamless communication between parents, drivers, and schools.
Founded last year by Lucy Kimani and Brenda Ndekei, NoMa aims to solve the challenges in Kenya’s school transportation space, having identified a critical need for safe, organised, and transparent school transportation services.
“Traditional providers often lacked the necessary safety and tracking features parents wanted. While other private transport services exist, NoMa differentiates itself with advanced technology and a safety-first approach,” Kimani, the startup’s CEO, told Disrupt Africa.
“Since our launch, NoMa has seen rapid adoption, with parents and schools embracing our solution in urban areas where school commutes are often long and complex.”
NoMa received its initial funding of US$100,000 from Antler East Africa through its incubator programme, while it has since secured bridge financing to sustain its growth as it approaches its first funding round.
“Currently, we have onboarded six schools and engage over 150 families with real time updates on their children’s transportation,” Kimani said.
“We are active in Kenya’s major urban centres and plan to expand into other regions and East African markets where similar transportation challenges exist.”
NoMa runs a software-as-a-service (Saas) model, operating on a subscription monthly basis that Kimani says has “already shown strong revenue potential as we expand”. These charges are per student, per month.
“Launching NoMa has involved educating the market on tech-based school transportation and integrating smoothly with varied school schedules. We continuously optimise to navigate logistical and operational hurdles,” she said.
