Roam opens its doors to everyday investors in $20M pre-series B push

Roam, a Nairobi-based electric mobility startup, is giving retail investors a chance to own part of its journey. The company is opening its pre-Series B round to the public through Crowdcube, a UK-based equity crowdfunding platform.

Roam designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and charging systems for commercial riders in Kenya. The funding will help the startup scale production and expand its charging network across the country.

“This crowdfunding campaign is about inclusion,” said Filip Lövström, Roam’s CEO. “We want our community and supporters to join us as shareholders in this mission.”

On Crowdcube, individuals can invest as little as £10 (about KES 1,700) to buy small equity stakes in Roam. This makes it possible for everyday supporters to own a piece of one of Africa’s fastest-growing e-mobility companies.

The campaign is part of Roam’s pre-Series B round, where the company aims to raise between $15 million and $20 million. About 5–10% of that target is now open to retail investors.

Roam hopes to deepen loyalty among its rider community through this inclusive approach. Its growing reputation in Kenya’s e-mobility market has already been key to the company’s rapid adoption.

Crowdfunding remains rare among Kenyan startups. However, there are signs of change. For example, Sun King raised $2 million through an equity crowdfunding round on Trine. Roam’s move could inspire more local and international participation in Africa’s clean mobility sector.

Motorcycles dominate short-distance transport across Africa. According to Lövström, there are roughly 25 million riders on the continent. Many spend up to 40% of their income on fuel.

Roam believes its electric motorcycles offer a practical solution to cut those costs while reducing emissions. “We’ve proven that electric mobility is possible, affordable, and scalable in Africa,” Lövström said.

Roam’s flagship motorcycle, the Roam Air, is assembled at a 10,000-square-meter plant in Nairobi. The facility can produce up to 15 electric bikes per day. The company reported over 500% revenue growth in May.

While Roam hasn’t disclosed its market share, its main rival, Spiro, controls about 21% of Kenya’s motorcycle market, including petrol-powered models.

So far, Roam has raised more than $30 million across previous funding rounds. That includes a $5 million seed round led by At One Ventures and Factor[e], and a $24 million Series A made up of $14 million in equity and $10 million in debt from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.