FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Metro Africa Express Wins L.A. New Mobility Challenge at LA CoMotion 2018
— Challenge brought together world’s most innovative mobility startups
— 18 semi-finalists pitched at LA CoMotion 18
LOS ANGELES — Today, the LA New Mobility Challenge awarded Metro Africa Express as its 2018 winner at the closing session of LA CoMotion, the major mobility conference and event. The Challenge is a joint initiative of LA CoMotion, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and the NewCities Foundation. Other partners included the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, French Tech Los Angeles, Starburst Accelerator, Fontinalis Partners, and Trucks VC.
The Challenge brought together 18 semi-finalist startups and early stage companies to pitch their innovations on Nov 14 in front of an audience of venture capitalists as well as key private and public stakeholders.
Metro Africa Express is a personal mobility company that is committed to making moto-taxis safe, affordable and accessible across West Africa. Metro Africa Express Co-Founder Chinedu Azodoh will receive a $10,000 cash prize, in-kind support from sponsors and partners, consideration for membership in LACI’s globally recognized business incubation program, as well as access to the La Kretz Innovation Campus. Additionally, Metro Africa Express will be considered for funding rounds orchestrated by Fontinalis Partners and Trucks VC.
“Given the challenges cities like Los Angeles are facing with mobility and climate change, it was exciting to see these entrepreneurs present their solutions that can improve quality of life, create jobs, and protect the environment,” said Matt Petersen, LACI’s CEO.
The grand prize winner was selected from a pool of six category winners, who beat out the competition in the fields of aerial mobility, autonomous vehicles, electric mobility, personal mobility, shared mobility and smart infrastructure. Category winners are as follows:
The prize ceremony capped two days of cutting-edge programming and interactive exhibitions at the LA CoMotion 2018 Leadership Conference, beginning with a keynote address by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
About the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a private non-profit organization creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies), transforming markets (through partnerships in transportation, energy and sustainable cities) and enhancing communities (through workforce development, pilots and other programs). LACI’s Transportation Electrification Partnership is an unprecedented collaboration accelerating zero emissions mobility and goods movement by the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics Games. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. In the past six years, LACI has helped 73 portfolio companies raise $184M in funding, $220M in revenue, create 1,700 jobs, and deliver more than $379M in long-term economic value. Learn more at laci.org.
About NewCities
NewCities is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to making cities more inclusive, connected, healthy and vibrant. Focusing on people, places and policies, we bring together a global network of public and private sector leaders and Urban Tech innovators to foster results-oriented collaboration. We also produce actionable research that can be implemented by decision-makers across sectors.
About CoMotion LLC
CoMotion LLC is a Los Angeles-based event, media and venture group at the cutting-edge of the urban mobility revolution. With LA CoMotion as its annual flagship event, CoMotion is driving thought-leadership and business collaboration across the new mobility space. CoMotion organizes proprietary world-class mobility conferences and creates, aggregates and publishes mobility sector news, content, and information. CoMotion also advises and partners with both established as well as early stage mobility businesses, civic leaders, and municipalities on five continents.
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