Ritu Narayan, an Indian-American entrepreneur, has revolutionized the school transportation industry with her startup, Zum. With a focus on addressing the challenges faced by parents and students, Narayan's journey began with a personal struggle. As a working mother, she encountered the same issues her mother faced in India, where the lack of a school bus system forced her to quit her job. This inspired Narayan to leave her high-profile job at eBay and pursue a career in entrepreneurship.
Zum, co-founded by Narayan and her brothers, Vivek and Abhishek Garg, offers a comprehensive solution to the complex problem of student transportation. By leveraging technology, the company leases bus yards, purchases buses, and connects them via a tablet and GPS to an app. This app allows parents and teachers to track the vehicles on their routes, ensuring a safe and efficient journey for students.
The startup's success is evident in its funding and valuation. With $430 million in funding raised, Zum is valued at a staggering $1.7 billion. In 2025, the company's revenue hit $333 million, a 35% increase from 2024, and it serves 5,000 schools nationwide. The momentum has propelled Narayan onto the 2026 Forbes 50 Over 50 list.
One of the key challenges in the school transportation sector is the unorganized nature of the system. America spends nearly $40 billion annually on getting kids to and from school, yet a combination of driver shortages and state-by-state variations in busing approaches means that not all children have access to yellow school buses. Parents, guardians, and public transit often fill the gap, highlighting the need for a more efficient and standardized system.
Narayan's early efforts with Liftee, a ride-sharing service for children, demonstrated the potential for innovation in this space. However, the model faced challenges in scaling. The pandemic provided an opportunity to regroup and transform Zum into a district-wide enterprise platform, enabling both physical deployment and digital tracking of school buses.
Zum's impact extends beyond transportation. The company is also making strides in the energy sector by electrifying school buses. Electric buses are more expensive initially, but Zum's bidirectional charging system allows buses to give excess energy back to the grid, reducing costs. Oakland Unified School District became the first fully electric district with Zum's technology, showcasing the potential for a greener and more sustainable approach to school transportation.
In addition to its environmental initiatives, Zum's technology has led to significant cost savings for school districts. By analyzing bus routes and optimizing the fleet, Zum has reduced the number of buses needed, resulting in substantial annual savings. For instance, San Francisco Unified School District's bus numbers were reduced from 236 to 193, saving $3.5 million annually.
The success of Zum has not only transformed the lives of American students but also challenged the traditional school bus system. Narayan's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach have filled a gap in the market, providing a much-needed solution for parents and students alike. As Zum continues to expand its reach, it is poised to become a leading force in the school transportation industry, shaping a more efficient and sustainable future for students across the country.
