“Zeelo, the Smart Bus Startup, Acquires Kura to Expand Its Reach in the Transportation Industry”
Zeelo, a rising star in the world of smart bus technology, has made a strategic move by acquiring Kura, a smaller U.K. startup with a unique focus on school bus safety. This acquisition has paved the way for a combined entity with a vast customer base and daily ridership, signaling a potential wave of consolidation in the transportation tech industry.
Founded in 2010, Kura had already made a name for itself by providing a cutting-edge safeguarding tech platform for school and college buses, as well as for employee shuttles and charter transport services. With a previous round of funding from Souter Investments, Kura had established itself as a key player in the transportation tech space.
The acquisition by Zeelo, a startup that secured a $14 million war chest for expansion just last year, is expected to significantly enhance the combined entity’s capabilities. Zeelo’s innovative “smart bus” routing algorithm, which optimizes bus programs and boosts ridership, combined with Kura’s safeguarding tech platform, creates a powerful force in the transportation industry.
Following the acquisition, Zeelo now boasts 220 customers, 450 operator partners, and 40,000 daily riders using their platform. This move comes after Zeelo’s successful Series A extension, which brought its total funds raised to $33.6 million. The company is now set to focus on expanding its sales and operations in the U.S., as well as enhancing its technology platform.
This strategic acquisition has positioned Zeelo as a major contender in the transportation tech market. With plans to explore further M&A opportunities in the U.K. and U.S. markets, Zeelo is poised to lead the way in the smart bus revolution.
