South African Startup Yazi Secures Funding at ZAR30 Million Valuation to Expand AI Research Platform

South African AI research startup Yazi has raised its first institutional funding round at a pre-money valuation of ZAR30 million (US$1.8 million). The amount raised was not disclosed, but the round marks a shift from early-stage development to more structured growth backed by institutional capital.

Yazi’s model is built around running research directly through WhatsApp, a platform already widely used across South Africa and other African markets. Instead of requiring participants to download new applications or navigate web-based surveys, the platform conducts conversations through chat, using AI to guide interviews, ask follow-up questions, and analyse responses in real time. This approach reduces friction in data collection and increases response rates, particularly in markets where app adoption and data costs remain constraints.

The company’s client base includes large corporates such as Old Mutual, Pick n Pay, Discovery, Capitec, and Ipsos. This indicates early traction with organisations that rely heavily on consumer insights, particularly in sectors like financial services and retail where customer behaviour data is critical.

The funding round was led by 3 Capital Ventures, an early-stage venture firm established by investment manager Allan Gray. The backing suggests interest in platforms that combine AI with existing communication infrastructure rather than building entirely new ecosystems.

Yazi plans to use the funding to deepen product capabilities and expand beyond its current markets. One of the next developments includes automated voice interviews conducted through WhatsApp, which could broaden access to users who are less responsive to text-based interactions. The company is also working to grow its network of research participants across African markets, positioning itself to support multi-country studies.