Bamboo Labs

Company Description

Bamboo Labs is an Ethiopian social enterprise developing sustainable and affordable mobility solutions using locally sourced bamboo. The company manufactures bamboo-based bicycles and wheelchairs tailored to urban and peri-urban needs, combining environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and local value creation to support greener mobility in Addis Ababa and beyond.

Team

Bamboo Labs is led by its founder and CEO, Abel Hailegiorgis, supported by an experienced multidisciplinary team with backgrounds in engineering and business development. The team combines technical know-how with strong local market understanding to design, manufacture, and scale bamboo-based mobility solutions aligned with Ethiopia’s sustainability and employment priorities.

Countries of Operation

Ethiopia

Ownership of Company

Local Company (100% Ethiopian ownership)

Number of years since incorporated

4 Years

Stage

Early Venture

Annual Revenue (in EUR)

EUR 50,000 – 100,000

Number of employees

1–10

Project Pitch

Bamboo Initiative addresses the growing mobility, congestion, and environmental challenges facing Addis Ababa as the city rapidly urbanises. The project promotes non-motorised, low-carbon transport through the local production of bamboo bicycles and wheelchairs, offering affordable and durable alternatives to imported mobility solutions.

By leveraging Ethiopia’s abundant bamboo resources, the project creates jobs, supports local supply chains, and reduces carbon emissions associated with conventional transport and imported products. Bamboo Labs aligns closely with government strategies promoting sustainable urban mobility and inclusive transport systems.

Operations focus on local sourcing, in-house manufacturing, and community-based distribution. Beyond serving the domestic market, the project plans to expand into export-oriented bamboo bicycle frames, positioning Ethiopia as a competitive producer within the sustainable mobility value chain. The initiative combines environmental impact, social inclusion, and commercial scalability.

Total Project Cost (in EUR)

EUR 200,000

Financing needs (in EUR)

EUR 200,000

Type of financing needed

Debt, Equity, Grant

Planned allocation of fundraising capital

Expansion (expanding an existing activity)