Tech in Africa
Zulzi, the South African startup started by Vutlharhi Valoyi and co-founder Michael Netshipise was launched in 2016. Zulzi allows members users on their platform to access thousands of grocery items listed on their digitized marketplace and can be accessed through a mobile app.
It operates in a similar model to Cape Town’s OneCart, an app allowing customers to build their purchase items and grocery lists without physically visiting a store. Goods can also be handpicked by trained shoppers who then deliver to your premise.
The announcement of the new capital injection was made by Valoyi on Twitter. He, however, decided not to disclose who the investor was. He also revealed the exact date in which the investment was sealed, and money deposited – 27 March.
Negotiation with the investors started as early as December when the company received a lot of interest from listed companies. He also mentioned how they have received lots of interest from other investors but decided on the right one who always expressed interest.
Part of their past accomplishments was the development of the Checkers’ Sixty60 app. He pointed out how its development helped bring money into the business as it grew. Their app has been downloaded over 100,000 times since the time of its launch and serves Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. Thus far over 2000 orders have been processed of which 70 percent are from Gauteng. He also disclosed that 90 percent of the orders are driven by the mobile app.
