658 Top startups in South Africa for June 2025

We rank Showmax, Cell C and Liquid Telecom in South Africa along with 655 other startups based on an algorithm that scores startups based on total investment, employee count, and quarterly website traffic. South Africa startup ecosystem ranks #52 globally and #1 in Southern Africa.

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Top Unicorn Startups in South Africa for 2025

TymeBank is the only unicorn in South Africa raising more than USD 1.5B. It is the undefined ranked unicorn in Southern Africa.
SB Score:558

TymeBank, a South African investment company, is 100% black-owned and operated. Offering innovative financial solutions, TymeBank empowers customers with fully digital banking services.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Online Banking

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Best Startups in South Africa for 2025

SB Score:670

Showmax offers internet TV services, featuring a diverse selection of web series, children's programming, and live sports. With user-friendly app support for smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, media players, and gaming consoles, Showmax ensures an engaging viewing experience across multiple devices.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Entertainment

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SB Score:656

Cell C Limited is a South African mobile operator focused on digital inclusion. As a Level 2 BBBEE company, they prioritize customer satisfaction and aim to improve lives through technology.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

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SB Score:600

Liquid Telecom is a leading provider of data, voice, and IP services in Africa, dedicated to advancing the continent's digital transformation.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

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4th

Luno
SB Score:580

Luno makes it safe and easy to buy, store and learn about cryptocurrencies in South Africa.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Technology

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I-Pay is a secure instant EFT payment service in South Africa, enabling customers to make online payments directly into your bank account. Simplify transactions with ease and peace of mind.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

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6th

Yoco
SB Score:561

Yoco empowers 100,000 small businesses in South Africa to accept payments seamlessly in-store, online, and on-the-go.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Fintech-Other

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SB Score:524

Peach Payments simplifies online and mobile payment acceptance in emerging markets like South Africa. Offering various payment methods, including mobile and electronic wallets, bank transfers, and cards, Peach Payments provides PCI compliant website integration, iOS and Android SDKs, fraud prevention, and flexible API options for merchants.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

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SB Score:517

A South African insurtech startup offering innovative insurance solutions to customers. Their platform provides easy access to personalized policies and claims processing, simplifying the insurance experience for users.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

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SB Score:516

Carry1st is a full-stack publisher of social games and interactive content with a focus on frontier markets like Africa. Founded in 2018 by Cordel Robbin-Coker, Lucy Hoffman, and Tino Mundangepfupfu, Carry1st employs a team of 29 people across 14 countries hailing from top companies like Carlyle, King, Jumia, Rovio, Socialpoint, and Wargaming. It has raised over $10m to date including a recent $7m Series A headlined by Riot Games, Konvoy Ventures, Raine, and Akatsuki. Carry1st will use the funding to launch and scale its existing portfolio, secure new partnerships with global gaming studios, and expand its team.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (South Africa)

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11th

VALR
SB Score:514

VALR.com is a digital asset trading platform where you can buy, sell, store and transfer cryptocurrencies seamlessly and securely. We offer one of the widest selections of digital assets. We‘re helping to build a financial system that recognises the oneness of humanity.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Blockchain

National Rank (South Africa)

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Total amount:658

Top 216 Software & Data Startups in South Africa for 2025

The top three Software & Data startups in South Africa have raised more than USD 2.87B. South Africa startup ecosystem ranks #53 globally for the Software & Data industry.
SB Score:656

Cell C Limited is a South African mobile operator focused on digital inclusion. As a Level 2 BBBEE company, they prioritize customer satisfaction and aim to improve lives through technology.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

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SB Score:600

Liquid Telecom is a leading provider of data, voice, and IP services in Africa, dedicated to advancing the continent's digital transformation.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

National Rank (South Africa)

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SB Score:516

Carry1st is a full-stack publisher of social games and interactive content with a focus on frontier markets like Africa. Founded in 2018 by Cordel Robbin-Coker, Lucy Hoffman, and Tino Mundangepfupfu, Carry1st employs a team of 29 people across 14 countries hailing from top companies like Carlyle, King, Jumia, Rovio, Socialpoint, and Wargaming. It has raised over $10m to date including a recent $7m Series A headlined by Riot Games, Konvoy Ventures, Raine, and Akatsuki. Carry1st will use the funding to launch and scale its existing portfolio, secure new partnerships with global gaming studios, and expand its team.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (South Africa)

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Total amount:216

Top 109 Fintech Startups in South Africa for 2025

The top three Fintech startups in South Africa have raised more than USD 453M. South Africa startup ecosystem ranks #42 globally for the Fintech industry.

1st

Luno
SB Score:580

Luno makes it safe and easy to buy, store and learn about cryptocurrencies in South Africa.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Technology

National Rank (South Africa)

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I-Pay is a secure instant EFT payment service in South Africa, enabling customers to make online payments directly into your bank account. Simplify transactions with ease and peace of mind.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

National Rank (South Africa)

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

0

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3rd

Yoco
SB Score:561

Yoco empowers 100,000 small businesses in South Africa to accept payments seamlessly in-store, online, and on-the-go.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Fintech-Other

National Rank (South Africa)

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

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Total amount:109

Top 63 Edtech Startups in South Africa for 2025

The top three Edtech startups in South Africa have raised more than USD 63.3M. South Africa startup ecosystem ranks #35 globally for the Edtech industry.
SB Score:461

Introducing an online coding bootcamp offering hands-on projects and personalized mentorship to help aspiring developers launch successful careers in tech. Master web development, data science, and more with our flexible, immersive programs. Join us and unlock your potential in the fast-growing tech industry.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Edtech

National Rank (South Africa)

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SB Score:420

Enko Education is a network of international secondary schools across Africa, providing students with a pathway to top global universities. Join us for a launchpad to success and unlock endless opportunities for a brighter future.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Education-Other

National Rank (South Africa)

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SB Score:386

Snapplify is a leading edtech company that offers a digital educational marketplace in Africa. They specialize in providing tools for digital learning, making it easier for students and teachers to access educational resources.

Industry:
Edtech
Subindustry:
Edtech

National Rank (South Africa)

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Total amount:63

Most Funded Startups in South Africa for 2025

The top three most funded startups in South Africa have raised total funding of more than USD 2.96B. Liquid Telecom has 1.44% more funding than Cell C.
SB Score:600

Liquid Telecom is a leading provider of data, voice, and IP services in Africa, dedicated to advancing the continent's digital transformation.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

National Rank (South Africa)

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

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SB Score:656

Cell C Limited is a South African mobile operator focused on digital inclusion. As a Level 2 BBBEE company, they prioritize customer satisfaction and aim to improve lives through technology.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (South Africa)

0

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

0

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SB Score:670

Showmax offers internet TV services, featuring a diverse selection of web series, children's programming, and live sports. With user-friendly app support for smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, media players, and gaming consoles, Showmax ensures an engaging viewing experience across multiple devices.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Entertainment

National Rank (South Africa)

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

0

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Total amount:658

Top Hiring Startups in South Africa by Employee Number

The top three hiring startups in South Africa have an median employee size that is between [5001-10000]
SB Score:286

Naspers operates global platforms in internet services (ecommerce, classifieds, online retail), pay television, and print media. Their services include online shopping, TV subscriptions, and digital news.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Comtech

National Rank (South Africa)

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SB Score:447

Bayport Management Limited and its subsidiaries offer retail financial services in Mauritius and globally. Specializing in providing accessible financial solutions, they cater to a wide range of clients.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

National Rank (South Africa)

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

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SB Score:656

Cell C Limited is a South African mobile operator focused on digital inclusion. As a Level 2 BBBEE company, they prioritize customer satisfaction and aim to improve lives through technology.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (South Africa)

0

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:600

Liquid Telecom is a leading provider of data, voice, and IP services in Africa, dedicated to advancing the continent's digital transformation.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

National Rank (South Africa)

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Regional Rank (Southern Africa)

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Total amount:658

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of South Africa

Population

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60.4 Million

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Regional Rank

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1st

0

Global Rank

(WorldWide)

52nd

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Top Cities for Startups in South Africa - Ranked by StartupBlink

StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
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