Pasi William Sachiti (born May 1984) is a Zimbabwean-born British entrepreneur and inventor. Sachiti is the founder and CEO of Academy of Robotics, an autonomous technology company which is primarily known for developing street-legal self-driving vehicles and solutions for road maintenance.
William Sachiti, a visionary entrepreneur, first caught the public’s attention when he appeared on the renowned investment show, Dragons’ Den, in 2009. Seeking support for his company, Clever Bins, Sachiti showcased his innovative solar-powered digital advertising bins designed for public spaces. Although the Dragons ultimately declined to invest, Sachiti’s determination persevered, and Clever Bins continued to operate successfully.
Not one to be discouraged, Sachiti forged partnerships with prominent organizations such as Keep Britain Tidy and conducted trials of Clever Bins with local councils in Manchester and London. These collaborations demonstrated the viability and effectiveness of his product, despite the initial setback on Dragons’ Den.
In 2011, Sachiti joined forces with co-founder Ronald Ndoro to create a digital concierge service called mycityven. This venture gained traction and made an impact in the industry before catching the attention of SecretEscapes, leading to its acquisition in 2014.
Even during his time as a student at Aberystwyth University, Sachiti showcased his entrepreneurial spirit. Teaming up with fellow student Ariel Ladegaard, they developed a revolutionary prototype robot that assisted users in navigating the university library. Their invention garnered significant recognition, earning them an entrepreneurship prize from the university’s program. Alongside another student named Aparajit Narayan, Sachiti and Ladegaard received £10,000 in prize money for their groundbreaking solution to the last-mile delivery problem, which they named Car-go (later renamed Kar-go).
Sachiti’s dedication to innovation led him to establish the Academy of Robotics, a company focused on building upon his earlier projects. Through collaboration with Pilgrim Motorsports, Sachiti further developed the Kar-go vehicle, striving to revolutionize the autonomous delivery industry. Finally, in July 2019, the world witnessed the official unveiling of Kar-go at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, solidifying Sachiti’s status as a pioneering force within the technology and automotive sectors.
Zimbabweans like Sachiti continue to make us proud and lift our flag high! Is this impressive or what?
