Since its inception in 2018, Gozem has rapidly grown from a ride-hailing service in Togo to a comprehensive super-app across French-speaking West Africa. The company now offers a wide array of services including ride-hailing, commerce, vehicle financing, and digital banking in countries such as Togo, Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon. Recently, Gozem secured $30 million in Series B funding, split evenly between equity and debt. This investment, led by SAS Shipping Agencies Services and Al Mada Ventures, will be used to enhance its vehicle financing services and expand into new markets. Gozem's unique approach focuses on ensuring financial security and career growth for its drivers, distinguishing it from competitors.
Rapid Expansion and Strategic Investments
In the heart of French-speaking West Africa, Gozem has been steadily transforming the mobility and financial landscape since its launch in 2018. Initially providing ride-hailing services in Togo, the company has expanded its footprint to include Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon. Gozem's platform now supports various modes of transportation, including motorcycles, three-wheelers, and cars, while also offering vehicle financing to help drivers purchase vehicles through affordable installment plans.
The recent $30 million Series B funding round marks a significant milestone for Gozem. Led by SAS Shipping Agencies Services and Al Mada Ventures, this capital injection includes both equity and debt components. The funds will primarily bolster Gozem's vehicle financing services, which have already facilitated the acquisition of around 7,000 vehicles for drivers. Additionally, the company aims to explore new markets and continue its rapid expansion across Francophone Africa.
Gozem's founders, Gregory Costamagna and Raphael Dana, emphasize the importance of supporting professional drivers. By building an ecosystem that helps drivers earn more and advance their careers, Gozem ensures the success of its entire business model. The company's vehicle financing program allows drivers to gradually upgrade from motorcycles to cars, ultimately becoming full vehicle owners. This long-term strategy sets Gozem apart from other platforms and attracts a loyal driver base.
Beyond its core services, Gozem has ventured into digital ticketing and banking. The company resells event tickets and processes millions of dollars daily through its mobile payment service, Gozem Money. With nearly 10,000 registered drivers and over a million users, Gozem is well-positioned to capitalize on its diverse offerings and achieve substantial growth in the coming years.
The Series B funding not only validates Gozem's innovative model but also underscores the confidence of industrial and financial investors operating in the same markets. As Gozem looks to triple or quadruple its growth by 2025, the company is poised to become a leading force in the African tech ecosystem.
From a journalist's perspective, Gozem's success story highlights the potential of tailored solutions in emerging markets. By focusing on the specific needs of professional drivers and integrating multiple services under one platform, Gozem demonstrates how addressing local challenges can lead to scalable and sustainable business models. This approach could serve as a blueprint for other startups aiming to thrive in similar environments.
In a surprising turn of events, the healthcare sector has emerged as the most vulnerable to cyberattacks, surpassing the finance industry. According to the latest data breach outlook report released on February 24 by the Kroll Cyber Risk team, healthcare accounted for nearly a quarter of all incidents in 2024. This shift marks a significant change from previous years, where financial institutions were the primary targets. The report also highlights a decline in breaches within technology, education, and retail sectors, with healthcare organizations now leading in post-breach identity protection offers.
Healthcare Sector Dominates Data Breach Incidents in 2024
In the vibrant yet challenging landscape of cybersecurity, the year 2024 was particularly tumultuous for the healthcare industry. Analyzing the trends across various sectors, Kroll's report reveals that healthcare became the most breached industry, accounting for 23% of all incidents, just edging out finance at 22%. This is a notable shift from the previous year when finance led with 26% of breaches. Meanwhile, the technology sector saw a dramatic 46% reduction in breaches, followed by education and retail, which experienced declines of 38% and 33%, respectively.
The healthcare sector's proactive response to breaches stands out, with 45% of affected consumers opting for identity protection services, including credit monitoring. Denyl Green, global head of identity theft and breach notification at Kroll, commented on the heightened risk faced by healthcare boards. "2024 was an exceptionally challenging year for healthcare," Green noted, emphasizing the financial incentives driving these attacks. Healthcare data commands a premium on the dark web, fetching up to $1,000 per record compared to the mere $5 for a credit card number. Additionally, the critical nature of patient care often compels healthcare organizations to pay ransoms to restore their systems and ensure uninterrupted service.
From a journalist's perspective, this report underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector. The financial and operational risks posed by cyberattacks are not only detrimental to businesses but also jeopardize patient safety. As cybercriminals increasingly target valuable healthcare data, it is imperative for organizations to invest in advanced security protocols and consumer protection strategies. The lessons learned from 2024 should serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the healthcare industry to prioritize cybersecurity and safeguard sensitive information.
Berkat Fitur Terbaru, Mudik Anda Lebih Hemat dan Praktis
Dalam menghadapi lonjakan jumlah pemudik, BookCabin meluncurkan serangkaian inisiatif yang bertujuan mempermudah proses perjalanan. Salah satu fitur unggulan adalah Best Flight Finds (BFF), yang membantu pelanggan mendapatkan tiket dengan harga terjangkau untuk berbagai rute. Selain itu, BookCabin menawarkan diskon hingga 10% pada sembilan rute one-way populer, seperti Jakarta-Balikpapan dan Jakarta-Manado. Fitur ini dirancang untuk memastikan bahwa setiap pemudik dapat menemukan tiket yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan mereka tanpa harus merogoh kocek terlalu dalam.
Komitmennya tidak hanya berhenti pada diskon tiket. BookCabin juga menyediakan layanan offline melalui tim khusus BookCabin Ambassador yang hadir di berbagai bandara. Tim ini siap membantu mulai dari proses check-in hingga menyelesaikan masalah teknis. Seragam biru yang dikenakan oleh para ambassador membuat mereka mudah dikenali dan siap memberikan solusi cepat sehingga perjalanan mudik menjadi bebas stres dan lebih menyenangkan.
Loyalty Program CabinClub: Keuntungan Eksklusif Untuk Pemudik
Selain penawaran spesial, BookCabin juga menawarkan manfaat tambahan melalui program loyalitas CabinClub. Anggota program ini dapat menikmati berbagai keuntungan eksklusif, seperti kemudahan online check-in, keleluasaan dalam memilih kursi pesawat, dan kesempatan upgrade gratis ke kelas bisnis. Setiap kali memesan tiket penerbangan melalui aplikasi BookCabin, anggota akan mendapatkan poin reward yang dapat ditukar dengan potongan harga pada pemesanan tiket berikutnya.
Program ini tidak hanya memberikan nilai tambah bagi pelanggan tetapi juga memperkuat hubungan antara BookCabin dan penggunanya. Dengan adanya CabinClub, BookCabin menunjukkan komitmennya untuk selalu memberikan layanan terbaik dan memanjakan para pemudik agar dapat menikmati perjalanan dengan lebih nyaman dan hemat.
Inovasi Berkelanjutan Untuk Meningkatkan Pengalaman Mudik
BookCabin terus melakukan inovasi guna memastikan bahwa setiap aspek perjalanan mudik dapat dinikmati dengan optimal. Dari awal persiapan hingga sampai di tujuan, BookCabin berusaha menyederhanakan proses dan meminimalisir hambatan yang mungkin dihadapi. Misalnya, fitur BFF memudahkan pencarian tiket dengan harga terbaik, sementara tim BookCabin Ambassador memastikan semua pertanyaan dan masalah dapat diselesaikan secara langsung di bandara.
Pada akhirnya, BookCabin berharap bahwa dengan adanya berbagai layanan dan inovasi ini, tradisi mudik Lebaran dapat menjadi lebih menyenangkan dan tanpa hambatan. Komitmen BookCabin untuk terus berinovasi mencerminkan pemahaman mereka tentang betapa berharganya momen mudik bagi setiap individu dan keluarga di Indonesia.