Although one would say that her Technology and Chemistry degree is disparate from starting a tech company, Sonia Kabra’s liberal arts education was influential in her career path.
She co-founded Buupass with Wyclife Omondi—whom she met at Earlham College in the US.
Sonia is in charge product development, tech, partnerships and marketing, and fundraising.
“My degree exposed me to different disciplines. I was very fascinated by business, for instance. I took quite a lot of classes in business and definitely in tech. This, I believe, is where it all began.”
"My degree exposed me to various fields, and my fascination with business and tech—where I took many classes—is where it all began."
Personal frustration fuelled Sonia’s desire to fix the transport and logistics industry. “We recognised a significant gap in the market: consumers wasted time and money travelling to booking offices, while bus companies lacked digitised data”.
Buupass helps bus operators automate ticketing and customers to book at the convenience of wherever they are.
The firm is in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa.
She joined the industry at 23, straight from college when the sector was male-dominated.
Sonia’s life is guided by two things: a philosophy by Rupi and Buddhist tenets. ‘Set your life on fire and seek those who fan your flames’ is an ever-present thoroughfare in her life.
“It emphasises surrounding myself with people who inspire and uplift me, both professionally and personally.”
She views starting a business as a way to solve problems and alleviate suffering for people impacted.
Sonia’s biggest contribution to the society, she believes, is connecting people to service and opportunities.
-Ndugu Abisai