Nairobi-based e-mobility startup Zeno has closed a $25 million Series A to accelerate production of its Emara electric motorcycle and expand its battery-swapping network across East Africa. The round combines $20.5 million in equity, led by Congruent Ventures with participation from Active Impact and Lowercarbon Capital, and a $4.5 million debt facility from Camber Road and Trifecta Capital. It brings Zeno’s total funding to $34.5 million, following a $9.5 million seed round in 2024.
Founded in 2022 by Michael Spencer — a former Tesla executive who oversaw Model 3 production ramps — Zeno has taken a deliberately full-stack approach, building its own motorcycle, battery, charging infrastructure, and cloud-based operating system rather than importing and rebadging hardware from China. The Emara runs 100 kilometres on a single charge, carries loads of up to 250 kilograms, and delivers peak power of 8 kilowatts — equivalent to a 150cc combustion engine but with full torque from a standstill. It retails for around $1,300 without a battery or $2,000 bundled with one.
Since emerging from stealth roughly 18 months ago, the company has built more than 800 motorcycles, deployed over 150 charging stations across four cities in Kenya and Uganda, and accumulated a waitlist of more than 25,000 retail and fleet customers. Current production runs at 70 to 80 bikes per week.
Beyond transport, Zeno is positioning its swappable batteries as a distributed energy solution. Pilot observations of riders using batteries to power homes and small businesses during blackouts prompted the company to prototype home battery docks and induction stoves that run on the same standardised units.
New capital will be used to deepen presence in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, clear the customer backlog, and roll out Battery-as-a-Service subscriptions that reduce upfront ownership costs below equivalent petrol models. An entry into the Indian market is also planned for later this year.
