Founded in Munich, Germany, but having its operational and impact focus in Africa, e-mobility start-up MANA Mobility seeks to promote the design and manufacturing of affordable electric cars. Starting with Ghana, the company’s mission is to provide an easily accessible, inclusive, safe and reliable e-mobility service for countries in the Global South.

With this international and mission-oriented but still commercial approach, MANA Mobility sought support from Studio Nima in designing and implementing governance mechanisms and structures that would protect the impact-oriented mission over time. For mission-oriented or so-called “impact start-ups”, mission drift is a risk that grows in the course of specific events, such as investment rounds, growth, or changes in the management board. Governance mechanisms that help mitigate this risk may include impact boards, mission-protecting clauses in organizational statutes, or other legal constructs.