South African Startup SmartWage Raises USD 2 Mn Seed Funding Round

SmartWage, an innovative HR and communications technology startup has raised R29 million (USD 2 Mn) to support its vision of transforming Africa’s workforce through digital inclusion, particularly for frontline employees like cashiers, restaurant staff, security personnel, and healthcare workers. The seed funding was accessed via several influential investors including, Idris Bello. Other investors include Creator Collective Capital, Penrose Capital, along with angels from Naspers, Dimension Data, Investec, and Standard Bank. 

SmartWage seeks to give enterprises a simple yet effective way to digitize their most time-consuming HR processes, helping them save time and money in order to focus on what matters most, people. The product gives employees without email the ability to receive company-wide communication, access their payslips, request leave and get access to financial wellness products, all via WhatsApp. SmartWage plans to deploy the capital to expand its product and technology team and double down on solving employers’ biggest problems.