1) What is exactly that you do, and what is your start up about?
I’m the C.E.O. and founder of Trampo Technologies. Trampo Technologies is a logistics company that leverages technology to enable businesses to become supply chain efficient.
2) What is the problem that your start up is trying to resolve?
The high cost of logistics in Africa is due to the fragmentation and inefficiencies in the sector, and as a result, large numbers of small business owners are unable to grow their companies because of the high overheads connected with distributing or sourcing their goods.
3) What inspired you to start this particular business?
I’m an Accountant turned entrepreneur. I previously worked with Cellulant Uganda before joining Famunera as a C.F.O. While at Famunera, we faced challenges in finding reliable logistical services to deliver Farm Inputs and agricultural produce of our farmers. This motivated me to start Trampo.
4) When was your start- up founded? What stage is your start-up currently at?
Trampo was founded in 2020 and is in the early seed stage.
5) Are you the sole founder? If not, how did your team meet? Who does what on your team?
Yes. I’m a solo founder.
6) What is your start-up Business model, and how does it work?
We currently charge a service fee for each successful delivery. This is charged to the Drivers.
With the integration of payments within our platforms, we will earn transaction fees for payments facilitated through our platforms.
We also intend to charge subscription fees for users to access transport data and insights.
5) What exactly differentiates you from your competitor in the marketplace? Can you name a few?
We are B2B2C focused and hence provide a wide range of Truck sizes for all businesses; ranging from 1-30T capacities.
Our competitors are Lori Systems, Kobo360 and Trella in North Africa.
6) At what stage is your start up currently at? (Early-stage, growth stage, established)
Early stage.
7) Can you discuss any significant milestones that your start-up achieved so far?
Founded, first hires and launched the first MVP in November.
2020 Alibaba GET Challenge Top 10 Finalists
Signed up over 200 users and 100 Truckers in 2021.
Joined the Venturecrush FGPod accelerator 2022 Cohort.
2022, Youth Startup Academy 2022 accelerator top 10 finalists.
Nominated for Tech Startup of the Year 2022, Uganda Innovation Week and Startup Uganda.
2023, expansions to Kenya and Rwanda.
Exhibited at GITEX 2023.
8) Can you provide some information about your target market and its size?
Our Primary customer segments are those in the informal sector and comprise micro, Small, Medium, Enterprises (MSMEs). They are mainly traders [Exporters and Importers], agro-processors, and constructors, among others. They are regarded as the engine of growth and economic development.
9) How do you acquire customers or users, and what is your customer acquisition strategy?
We use a mix of Online and Offline marketing methods to grow our customer base.
In this digital era, it is important to maximize the use of Digital marketing is key to attracting new users and retaining old ones by constantly communicating our value. We do this through our social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
10) What are your main revenue streams?
Truck hire services.
11) Have you received any funding or investment for your start-up? If yes, can you share the details?
Not yet.
12) How do you plan to scale your business in the future?
Our plan to scale is through partnerships, direct entry and launch in new markets and Mergers and acquisitions.
13) What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far, and how did you overcome them?
Fines and penalties for overloading. We decided to collect data on actual goods and quantities to avoid extra costs due to traffic penalties and fines.
Achieving sustainability through managing cash flow we started to serve large clients who transport large volumes of products frequently.
14) How will you measure success for your start-up or the achievements that your startup has reached?
By using financial and non-financial metrics. Financial metrics include; Profit margins per delivery job, customer lifetime value, and monthly and Average recurrent revenue. Non-financial metrics include; User retention, product reliability, inquiries made, distance covered in delivery, carbon emissions saved, number of customers served, number of users [active and inactive], etc.
15) How do you prioritize and manage your resources, such as time and budget?
Being a small team with limited resources, we emphasize putting resources where we can achieve immediate results that impact the business.
16) What is your marketing and branding strategy?
There is currently a preference for organic marketing and growth channels due to limited finances.
This will be supplemented by paid acquisition for viral growth with funding.
17) How did customers/users find out about you?
Our customers found out about us from our marketing and field teams, which we sent out to interact with potential customers and introduce our services to them.
We also actively exhibit at business events.
Some customers also got to find us through social media.
18) What is your target audience?
Our Primary customers segments are those in the informal sector and comprise Micro, Small, Medium, Enterprises (MSMEs). They are mainly traders [Exporters and Importers], agro-processors and constructors, among others. They are regarded as the engine of growth and economic development.
19) Regarding your Marketing strategy, do you use Social media, and if so, is it in-house or outsourced?
Yes, we have a social media strategy. It is outsourced.
20) Have you faced any regulatory challenges?
Yes, when transporting client goods across the border.
21) Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations you have established?
Partnership with Harven, who are Specialists in quality cold chain data services including temperature, time, location, and ID. Harven provides a new cold chain delivery system using its own technology, a powerless temperature sensor and a low power data logger.
A Partnership with The Innovation Village, which offered free office space for our team to work from.
22) What are the key things about your industry that outsiders don’t understand or misperceive?
Pricing in logistics is largely influenced by both software and hardware infrastructure factors. This is evidenced by the fact that the cost of transport has not been largely affected despite the heavy investment in physical infrastructure.
23) How do you handle feedback and incorporate it into your product or service development?
Our product development process involves taking feedback from interactions with customers.
Our field teams collect this feedback and share it with
24) What is the biggest missing feature, meaning the one thing that customers/users keep asking for?
Aggregated trucking or truck sharing feature
25) Are you going to internationalize? If so, how are you planning to expand internationally?
Yes. Organic expansion through acquiring clients first and serving them in their markets, rather than launching without clients.
26) Can you share any testimonials or success stories from your customers or users?
To be shared later
27) How do you ensure the security and privacy of users’ data?
We have a number of measures, such as password protection with authentication, among others.
28) How do you stay updated on industry trends and adapt your strategies?
I’m constantly reading, learning from peers, industry leaders, and attending training and seminars on industry-related content.
29) Are there any patents or trademarks associated with your start-ups?
No
30) Can you discuss your pricing strategy and how you determine your product’s value?
We use customer data such as; Truck type, size and distance of delivery to determine prices.
31) How do you plan to build and maintain customer loyalty?
We collect and analyze user data to be used to develop customized user data for marketing purposes.
32) What are your plans for expanding your team in the future?
We will expand our team organically on a needs basis.
33) Can you provide examples of any social or environmental initiatives your startup is involved in?
We are part of Rotaract Kampala, South, which is involved in the restoration of Mangroove forests in Malindi and Building a school library in western Uganda.
34) How Do you approach customer support and handle any issues or complaints?
We set up a call center where all issues were raised. We also welcome feedback through our social media channels.
All issues raised are investigated, communicated and addressed to the reporter.
35) What have you learned so far from launching your start-up, and what pointers would you give a person reading this blog who is interested in having a start-up of his own?
The world has so many problems; each problem requires a solution, but only a few have been solved. We can only create the world we want if we get out and build the solutions needed.
36) Six months from now, what will be the biggest problem?
Quality service management and standards.
37) Are you looking to hire new employees on your team? If so, what job openings do you currently have?
Yes. a C.T.O. (1), Driver engagement and Fulfillment Associates (2).
38) Are you looking for start-seed investment or VC funding? If you are looking for funding, where can potential investors contact you?
Yes, we are raising our seed round of $100,000 in either debt or equity.
We can be reached by email at joel.ojema@trampotechnologies.com, admin@trampotechnologies.com , Twitter @Trampotech or LinkedIn @Trampotechnologies.
39) How did COVID affect your start up?
COVID-19 affected most clients, especially those in the import, export industry and manufacturing.
Measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 affected production cycles, trade and distribution of goods.
40) How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) affecting your industry and your company?
AI is helping turn routines into proactive activities, helping traders, businesses and operators anticipate market behaviors.
AI is specifically used in; Trend forecasting, automated warehousing, coordination and optimization of Transport.
This is helping to mitigate costs, increase efficiency and profitability.
41) Why should we feature you on our blog?
It is a great platform for the visibility of our brand and services across especially in the MENA region that we target to scale to.
42) How did you hear about our blog?
Bob Debbas reached out via email after GITEX 2023.
