WhatsApp-based HR and employee benefits platform Jem HR has closed a R60-million pre-series A funding round, including equity funding led by Old Mutual subsidiary Next176 and a R30-million private debt facility.
Jem’s platform is designed to transform the lives of frontline employees and simplify workforce management for employers. It currently serves over 150 000 employees in industries like security, mining, retail, manufacturing and logistics.
Jem has previously raised over R50-million ($3,4-million) from backers including E4E, LoftyInc Capital, Creator Ventures, Musha Ventures, Launch Africa, Harambeans Prosperity Fund and several high-profile individual investors involved in HR, fintech, and technology.
“This funding is a pivotal step in enabling us to achieve our dual mission: to make managing and connecting frontline employees effortless while providing them with money-saving financial benefits,” says Simon Ellis, co-founder and CEO of Jem HR. “We’re seeing strong demand for our platform, driven by the need to address the challenges faced by deskless workers, including low wages, unreliable transport, and safety concerns.
“The new funding will allow us to expand beyond Southern Africa, grow our team, and enhance our all-in-one platform to tackle HR, communication, and employee benefit challenges at scale.”
The R30-million debt facility, which scales with usage, will enable Jem to launch new products that help improve the lives of deskless employees, including a savings tool, low-cost insurance, credit score support, a financial wellness helpline, and value-added services like airtime and data bundles.
Caroline van der Merwe, co-founder and chief product officer of Jem HR, adds: “Our platform delivers industry-leading registration rates — over 80% across our clients, with some exceeding 95%. These metrics prove our ability to connect and engage with the workforce effectively. Deskless workers have long been underserved, and we’re addressing this with tailored solutions.”
Tramayne Monaghan, chief venture officer at Next176, comments: “We invest in businesses that deliver sustainable, disruptive growth, and Jem is a prime example. Simon, Caroline, and the entire Jem team have built a platform that is not only transformative for businesses but also deeply impactful for employees. We are excited to support their bold vision as they scale their innovative solutions across Africa and beyond.”
Jem’s Deskless Pulse research highlights that most South African deskless workers enjoy their jobs despite low wages and transport challenges. These findings have shaped Jem’s focus on providing tools like earned wage access and financial education to improve worker wellbeing and resilience.