Millions of airport transfers are being sold globally on a monthly basis through the leading Online Travel Agencies. With limited technology, a high complaint ratio and unhappy drivers, the OTA’s have been desperately searching for a solution to cater to the ever growing demand for transfers that enables them to standardize the quality of service across the globe and deliver a flawless experience for their customers.

When entrepreneurial businessmen Ghassan Muradwij and Riyaz Alambath first saw this limitation and lack of supply in the global mobility sector, they took the time to research and thoroughly comprehend the difficulties that today’s travel companies confront. The two business owners took on the responsibility for coming up with a solution which is today called KOI. Ghassan and Riyaz co-founded KOI as a Business-to-Business (B2B) focused end to end ground transportation platform catering to the mobility sector.

The Visionaries

• Riyaz Alambath

Serial entrepreneur Riyaz Alambath is presently the co-founder and CEO of KOI. Prior to KOI, Riyaz established a cutting-edge technology-based travel service business, which within three years expanded to a $40 million firm. He is a firm believer in using cutting-edge technology to upend established markets in order to provide clients access to top of the class services.

The Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore, is where Riyaz was raised. Growing up in an Indian middle-class household taught him many key life lessons, the importance of ethics, respect, and most importantly, looking forward. These three still serve as his guiding principles in life.

He has always supported the notion of utilizing technology to streamline procedures and enhance people’s lives. Having been in the travel industry for more than 20 years, he launched his first B2B digital start-up in the tourism industry in 2012. WTS A way for travel agents to make more informed hotel reservations and give their clients the best deals.

Back in 2012, when he chose to begin his business after leaving his corporate job at GTA, the once-dominant B2B travel firm in the world, his employer warned him it would be difficult to compete with GTA. In three years, Riyaz’s company had grown to a $40 million company with operations in over 11 markets in the Middle East and Africa.

He asserts, “In Koi we are helping our clients to sell more transfers globally by offering their customers a better experience while taking a ride from airport to city or the other way around.  While helping our drivers to use their time more efficiently to earn more money and plan their lives days ahead.” .

Early in his career, working in client-facing roles with global travel companies like GTA, he has won numerous awards for his ability to deliver superior client service.

• Ghassan Muradwij

Raised in Lebanon by his lone mother who showed him the value and importance of hard work , Ghassan graduated from the American University of Dubai. His intense passion for athletics has taught him the genuine value of discipline and teamwork. Although he started his career in investment banking, entrepreneurship was always a passion of his. Following several financial positions in Dubai, the concept for KOI started to take shape, and he believed it was the best course of action to enter a developing sector.

Ghassan says, “They say sometimes you don’t choose the opportunity but it chooses you.” He and his partner, Riyaz, saw a massive void in the ground transportation segment of travel and felt that with the appropriate technology and the right structure, they could become the worldwide brand for airport transfers.

As co-founder and Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) of KOI, Ghassan sets the company’s development strategy alongside Riyaz and co-leads their fundraising efforts to make sure they achieve their ambitious growth goals.

KOI

Headquartered in Dubai, KOI is a leading technology company offering global B2B ride hailing services. Currently operating in 34 cities, KOI will be operational in 100 cities by 2023 year’s end. With its’ select clientele and strong partnerships KOI has established itself in the market by facilitating a smoother first  last leg of a traveller’s journey. Some of the current operational cities include Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Las Vegas, Cancun, Singapore, Madrid ,Istanbul and Bodrum. Pipeline of new locations are across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

In addition to issuing a $15 million convertible bond lead by one of the largest Swiss Banks, KOI has also raised $3 million in equity from a strategic investor.

Revolutionizing Transport and Travel

By putting more emphasis on driver efficiency, which lowers the cost per ride and increases driver income, KOI is re-disrupting the ground transportation ecosystem. It is currently operating in 34 locations, with a goal of 50 cities by year’s end and 100 cities by 2023 year’s end.

With a local presence in every operating city and scalable technology that lowers the margin of error, KOI is providing a better trip for the end user by standardizing the level of service and experience. With significant improvements on the horizon, including the possibility for its own digital wallet, KOI is working on ways to disrupt the ground transportation industry’s perpetually static, credit-heavy payment cycles and make sure drivers and transport businesses are paid in a more timely and economical manner.

“KOI is positioned perfectly to take advantage of the recovery in travel. Through the use of our technology, we are helping OTA’s standardize the quality of service globally with the aim of supporting them in increasing the global market size” concluded Ghassan Muradwij, CFO and co-founder.

Website: www.koiride.com