From left: Domestl Co-founders Berno Potgieter
,Marketing Head-Natasha Riley,Thatoyoana Marumo

By DION HENRICK in Cape Town,CAPE TOWN, (CAJ News) – DOMESTLY, the award-winning technology startup,has secured funding to promote employment in South Africa.The undisclosed amount, said to be substantial, has been from Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the national development finance institution set up to promote economic growth and industrial development. Berno Potgieter, Domestly Chief Executive Officer, said “This is a great step forward for Domestly having the IDC as an investment partner and we look forward to this affiliation with them and to create further work opportunities for unemployed South Africans.” Traditionally the IDC has invested in more mature industries, however,with a number of young entrepreneurs and start-ups becoming a greater source of employment in South Africa this has led to a successful partnership between the IDC and Domestly and opened a new door for young
entrepreneurs in this country.Ken Ogwang, Lead Deal Maker for the IDC, said Domestly was an exciting youth-owned business the IDC has funded.“Not only does Domestly connect cleaners and individuals but Domestly also results in a more efficient marketplace for cleaners providing them with increased job security. The IDC funding will go towards assisting Domestly to increase its market traction and improve its product offering thereby increasing employment in the sector,” Ogwang said. Domestly Head of Marketing, Natasha Riley, said this round of funding brought with it new and exciting changes to Domestly.“This will not only help us with our expanding nationally and job creation but also help us introduce some exciting new consumer features to our platform. This substantial round of funding from the IDC will aid us in expanding not only our national footprint but will also allow us to grow our in-house technology team,” Riley said. Domestly received their first seed round of funding back in 2015 from a number of angel investors.These include Hannes van Rensburg (Founder of Fundamo that existed to Visa in 2011) and Hermanus Roode (former Deputy Chief Executive of Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Clover Industries).
Domeslty utilises technology to connect cleaning professionals directly to homeowners, making housekeeping more affordable and accessible.
– CAJ News