Sadly! WhereIsMyTransport shuts down due to a lack of funding

WhereIsMyTransport, an eight-year-old transportation data company based in South Africa, has announced that it is shutting down its operations due to unsuccessful attempts to secure new funding. Devin De Fries, the founder of this South African mobility startup, confirmed this decision in a LinkedIn post, attributing the closure solely to the inability to raise additional funds.

The company had previously successfully raised over $27 million in funding, expanded its reach to 140 locations across 22 countries, and employed around 200 people.

WhereIsMyTransport specialised in mapping both formal and informal public transportation networks, utilising the collected data to enhance the overall public transportation experience. Their goal was to create safer and more accessible commuting options. The startup also provided data licensing services to governments.

In May 2022, the company announced that it had mapped 50 cities in Africa, Latin America, Southeast Europe, and Asia. Among its clients was the World Bank, which used its data to assess access to job opportunities through public transport in 12 African cities.

WhereIsMyTransport had previously been associated with Naspers Foundry, which is now defunct, and had secured $3 million in funding from the fund as part of its $14.5 million Series A extension.

The startup’s investor base included Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, SBI Investment from Japan, Wuri Ventures, Capria Ventures, Nedbank, Global Innovation Fund, Goodwell Investments, Google, and Toyota Tsusho.