Kenyan E-Mobility Startup Roam Opens Up to Retail Investors for Pre-Series B Round

A Kenyan e-mobility company, Roam, widely known for designing and manufacturing electric motorcycles and charging infrastructure for commercial riders, is inviting retail investors to participate in part of its latest funding round. The firm is conducting a pre-Series B raise via the UK-based crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, allowing everyday supporters to buy equity stakes.

According to Roam’s CEO Filip Lövström, the campaign is designed with inclusivity at its core: “We want anyone within our community, and supporters of our mission, to now be able to join us on our continued journey as a shareholder.” On Crowdcube, investors may begin with as little as £10, approximately KES 1,700, gaining a chance to own a piece of the company. The broader funding target for this pre-Series B round lies between US $15 million and US $20 million, with roughly 5 %-10 % now open for retail participation.

This move comes at a time when investor interest in Africa’s e-mobility and renewable-energy startups is increasing, driven by high fuel prices and the need for more affordable transport solutions in urban areas. Motorcycles remain the dominant short-distance transport mode across many African cities, and many riders reportedly spend up to 40 % of their income on fuel. For Roam, converting these riders to electric models offers potential cost savings and reduced emissions.

Roam’s flagship model, the Air, is assembled at its 10,000-square-metre plant in Nairobi, with a production throughput of about 15 bikes per day. The company has reported revenue growth exceeding 500 % as of May. Although it has not disclosed its exact market share, competing petrol-bike brands command around 21 % of Kenya’s motorcycle market.

To date, Roam has raised over $30 million in previous rounds. This includes a $5 million seed round led by At One Ventures and Factor[e], followed by a $24 million Series A comprised of $14 million in equity and $10 million in debt financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.

While crowdfunding remains a rare route for Kenyan startups, Roam’s open invitation to retail investors signals a new era of broader participation in Africa’s technology-investment landscape.