Baisikeli Ugunduzi

Baisikeli Ugunduzi is a for-profit social business that specializes in bicycle components for the Sub-Saharan African market.[1][2][3] Baisikeli Ugunduzi means innovative or modern bicycles in Swahili.[4] It was founded in the winter of 2011 by Ben Mitchell, whom holds a MS in mechanical engineering as is currently seeking his PhD at Michigan Technological University[5] and John Gershenson, a professor of mechanical engineering at MTU.[2][6]Baisikeli Ugunduzi is headquartered in Kitale, Kenya, Africa. It is considered a for-profit social venture, where it develops human-centered products, which seeks to raise the income of boda boda, who rely on the bicycle as a means of livelihood.[4][7]

Bicycle Boda Boda in Masindi, Uganda (2009)
Working bicycle in Mwingi, Kenya (2013)
Working bicycle in Moshi, Tanzania (2013)

Funding

Baisikeli Ugunduzi was awarded $100,000 in Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) stage 1 funding from USAID.[1][8] The enterprise won first place in the Central Michigan University New Venture Competition, worth $30,000, plus an additional $10,000 for Best Social Venture,[5][9][10][11][12] was awarded "Top 40 Project 2012" in the Dell Social Innovation Challenge,[2] and was a semi-finalist for an Echoing Green Fellowship.[13] A campaign to raise $40,000 in 40 days on Indiegogo, however, was unsuccessful.[14][15] In April 2014, Baisikeli Ugunduzi placed third in the Global Social Venture Challenge where they were awarded $7,500.

Product

Their first product is a bicycle tire inner tube replacement made of an elastic material, called the Milele Tube, which cannot go flat.[1][16] Milele means forever in Swahili.[2] It is a solid, cylindrical piece of elastic material that replaces the standard inner tube and can be cut to length to fit any size tire.[16] It is being made with three different firmness levels. There is a soft tube for the front tire, which carries less of the total load; a medium tube for light loads on the rear; and a firm tube for heavy loads such as passengers or cargo. One test rider used the firm tube to carry 200 kg (440 lb) for 100 km (62 mi).[16] They approximate a pneumatic tube at 65 psi (4.5 bar).[4] The first day of sales was April 6, 2013.[17]

Market

More than 5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on bicycles to earn a living,[1] such as boda boda operators, and they can spend up to a quarter of their incomes just to fix flat tires.[1] Traditional bicycle tubes cost $3,[1] and the Milele tube cost just over $10, but can last up to five years.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Engineering Next Generation Bicycle Components for Developing Country Consumers". USAID. April 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  2. "Dell Social Innovation Chalange: Baisikeli Ugunduzi". Dell Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-03-23. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  3. johncoe (October 8, 2012). "Baisikeli Ugunduzi". BoneShaker Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  4. "FAQ: What does Baisikeli Ugunduzi mean?". Baisikeli Ugunduzi. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  5. "Ben Mitchell Wins $40k at CMU New Venture Competition". Byron Fellowship Educational Foundation. April 26, 2012. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  6. "Dean's December 2012 E-Letter: Alumni Spotlight". University of Idaho. December 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  7. Wilberforce Netya (September 5, 2012). "Tubeless tyre innovation: African bicycle operators to save billions". StarAfrica. Archived from the original on 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  8. "The DIV Portfolio by Country, Kenya: "Innovative Bicycle:" Engineering next generation bicycle components for developing country consumers". USAID. Archived from the original on 2013-03-10. Retrieved 2013-05-26. $100,000 - Stage 1: Proof of Concept - Global Health; Environment & Global Climate Change
  9. Dennis Walikainen (May 24, 2013). "Students Hit the Jackpot in Venture Competition, $40K with Two Awards; Third Place Brings Home $5K". Michigan Technological University. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  10. "CMU awards $60,000 to top student startups at New Venture Competition". Central Michigan University. April 2, 2012. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  11. Lindsay Knake (April 3, 2012). "Saginaw senior wins $10,000 in CMU's 2012 New Venture Competition". MLive Media Group. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  12. Gabrielle Mays (April 12, 2012). "Tech students bring home cash". Barrington Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  13. Rich Leimsider (Feb 19, 2013). "Announcing the 2012 Semi-Finalists". Echoing Green. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  14. "Baisikeli Ugunduzi: No Air, No Flats, No Problems". Indiegogo. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  15. Adelle Whitefoot (October 20, 2012). "Pumped up: Kenyan bike project has ties to U.P." The Mining Journal. Marquette, MI. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  16. Tyler Benedict (November 9, 2012). "Milele Flat-Proof Inner Tube". BikeRumor. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  17. "News & Events: Opening Day of Sales". Baisikeli Ugunduzi. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
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