If you don ever drag Danfo for Lagos, stand for bus stop under hot sun, or fear make you no enter 'one chance', you go know say public transport for this country no be anybody mate. Na this exact everyday shege inspire Damilola Olokesusi to co-found Shuttlers—that mobility tech company wey dey help professionals and corporate workers book scheduled AC buses make dem fit commute like bosses.
How The Journey Take Start?
Damilola actually study Chemical Engineering for University of Lagos (UNILAG). She bin like maths and chemistry well-well. But instead of focusing strictly on oil and gas, one long university strike in 2009 expose am to seminars on tech entrepreneurship, changing how she view career possibilities.
The real ginger to build Shuttlers come from personal experience. During her internship days, she notice say big companies get staff bus, but ordinary professionals and small companies dey suffer for road. The matter come hit home when her own sister face one dangerous security incident inside commercial bus. Damilola conclude say women and professionals need a safer, organized alternative.
The WhatsApp Days To Full Tech App
In 2015, Damilola team up with Damilola Quadri and Busola Majekodunmi to form Shuttlers, and dem officially launch in October 2016. You think say dem start with one mad app? Lie lie! Dem start operations by using WhatsApp, Slack, and email to book rides and share schedules with passengers.
Na when big tech names like Andela start to use their service as early corporate customers, the business validate itself. By 2019, Shuttlers come step up their game, launching their official mobile app wey allow people book seat, track their shuttle, and subscribe to daily routes.
She Moves Shuttles & Global Recognition
Because she understand the specific safety concerns wey female commuters dey face, Damilola partner with Ford Motor Company and Global Water Challenge in 2020 to launch She Moves Shuttles—a special all-female transport service.
Today, her hustle don pay off big time. She don pack awards full house! From winning the ASO Villa Demo Day in 2016, to entering the prestigious Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list in 2019, and being named one of Project Management Institute's Future 50 in 2022.
From mixing chemicals in the lab to moving thousands of professionals safely across the city, Damilola Olokesusi don show say you fit turn everyday Lagos shege into a massive tech solution! 🚀💼
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