Tech Start-ups to Watch in 2014 - Book Now

What: This is an online service for booking buses. Easy, simple, and efficient, the authenticated electronic tickets are sent via text messages. So far, the company is working with Spanish Coach, Easy Coach, Mash East Africa, Kampala Coach, Queens Coach, Horizon Buses, Sai Baba Express, Dar Express, Tahmeed Buses, Dreamline Buses, serving various cities in the region, from Kampala to Dar es Salaam.

Who: The founders are Michael Nguru and Francis Gesora - former college mates, friends and business partners for the last 10 years. Unique selling point: Book Now is a first mover in the market. There is a high demand for the product because it saves people many hours of being stuck in traffic and waiting in line.

Scalability: Being the first in the market with a functioning platform offers an opportunity to own the market. With trips going to and from Uganda to Tanzania it seems likely that the company will expand to most of East Africa.

Revenue: Book Now takes a percentage on every ticket sold.

By Joseph Kibiru & George Murage