Jem, the WhatsApp-based workforce management platform for deskless teams, has raised an $8.4m Series A funding round led by global fintech investor Quona Capital. The investment will support Jem’s ongoing growth from an HR and benefits provider into a comprehensive AI-native workforce management platform, further enhancing its offering for frontline workers across Africa.
Quona led Jem’s $8.4M Series A fundraise, alongside participation from University Tech Fund, E4E and a group of prominent angel investors, including former Old Mutual CEO, Iain Williamson. Jem currently serves more than 250,000 employees across 200+ companies, including Servest, Bidvest, McDonald’s, KFC, Seattle Coffee Company and Bootleggers. The company has grown revenue by more than 120% over the past year, as South African employers seek simpler ways to connect with, manage and support frontline workforces that do not operate from traditional desks.
Jem has intentionally repositioned itself from a provider initially known for earned wage access and HR tools into a broader workforce management ecosystem for deskless workers. The platform enables employers to connect, manage and reward workers through WhatsApp, a channel many operational employees utilise daily. This funding will support the addition of more products and features, such as time-and-attendance, rostering, onboarding, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), and credit scores, as well as further business expansion.
