Zeno raises $25M to speed up production of its battery-swap motorbikes

Source: TechCrunch

Funding round

Zeno announced a $25 million Series A to expand its app‑controlled battery‑swap network and produce more of its Emara motorcycles. About $20.5 million of the total was an equity fundraise, led by Congruent Ventures with participation from Active Impact and Lowercarbon Ventures. The remaining $4.5 million is a debt facility from Camber Road and Trifecta Capital.

Zeno previously raised a $9.5 million seed round led by Lowercarbon Ventures and Toyota Ventures.

Company background

Since emerging from stealth a year and a half ago, Zeno has built more than 800 Emara motorbikes and set up over 150 charging locations across four East African countries.

The Zeno Emara has a long seat to carry passengers and cargo. – Image credit: Zeno

Motorbikes are a cornerstone of transportation in the region, and Zeno is betting that it can attract riders by offering 50 % lower operating costs than internal combustion bikes. The company says more than 25,000 retail and fleet customers are waiting to get an Emara, and it is currently producing about 70–80 bikes per week. The new round will be used to fulfill that demand.

Product: Emara motorbike

• Range: ~100 km (60 mi) on a single charge
• Payload: up to 250 kg (550 lb)
• Price: about $1,300 without a battery, $2,000 with a battery
• Power: 8 kW peak (comparable to a 150 cc internal combustion engine) with full torque from standstill, enabling steep‑hill climbs even when fully loaded – a key advantage for bodaboda operators.

Customers can either purchase the battery outright or subscribe to a monthly or pay‑per‑use plan. Batteries can be charged at home or at any Zeno swap station.

Zeno also offers a range of accessories and wraps, similar to the approach taken by Slate Auto in the U.S.

Battery dock and future plans

Zeno plans to introduce a battery dock that homes and businesses can use to power lights and appliances. The dock is currently being prototyped, with about a dozen customers testing the product. If commercialized, the dock could embed Zeno deeper into the region’s electrical infrastructure, addressing the challenges of East Africa’s often‑fragile power grid.

The company’s vision draws inspiration from Tesla’s first master plan, aiming to deploy EVs and clean power at scale in emerging markets.