Jump to content

Baisikeli Ugunduzi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bicycle Boda Boda in Masindi, Uganda (2009)
Working bicycle in Mwingi, Kenya (2013)
Working bicycle in Moshi, Tanzania (2013)

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,[by whom?] 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]

Funding[edit]

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.[citation needed]

Product[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Engineering Next Generation Bicycle Components for Developing Country Consumers". USAID. April 7, 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  2. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b c "FAQ: What does Baisikeli Ugunduzi mean?". Baisikeli Ugunduzi. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  5. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c 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.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baisikeli_Ugunduzi&oldid=1176635687"