The global pandemic really boosted Yebo Fresh online shopping revolution in South African townships. The South Africa based startup, Yebo Fresh, which delivers fresh, frozen and dry groceries to township communities in Cape town has secured an undisclosed amount of Series A funding from E4E, Mark Forrester, Dale Williams, and the founders of cars.co.za in a bid to expand their current business model.
Yebo Fresh will reportedly utilise the investment to further build their brand and hire a team of stellar experts to optimise their current systems and processes. In addition, the new hires will help prepare Yebo Fresh for their national expansion.
Philani Sangweni, E4E managing partner Philani Sangweni comments on investing in Yebo Fresh.
“Yebo Fresh aligns perfectly with our stated mission of growing startups that aren’t just good businesses but are also transformative and create jobs. We’re extremely proud to be playing a leading part in their growth journey.”
Yebo Fresh
Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur, Jessica Boonstra, Yebo Fresh is an online retailer that delivers food and household goods to communities and organisations in the area. The online retailer aims to provide accessible quality, fresh foods, and household goods to Capetonians.
Molding to the changing dynamics of lockdown, the online retailer has displayed exceptional growth during the pandemic, increasing its sales from private household deliveries to businesses and charitable organisations. The company currently occupies a larger warehouse of 1200 meters squared and has 35 full-time employees
Social impact
Not only does Yebo Fresh provide its services to private households but the online retailer also plays an integral role in the township economy, supplying goods to NGOs and township businesses such as fast-food restaurants and Spaza shops.
Alastair MacMurray and Ross McIlroy, co-founders of cars.co.za, say Yebo Fresh’s passion for improving people’s lives is what excited them to invest in the company.
“Yebo Fresh excited us as an investment opportunity because of its potential, through the use of good tech and service, to solve quality food accessibility and safety issues in South Africa’s townships. We have really been encouraged by the team’s passion for making people’s lives better while creating a solid, sustainable business.”
Utilising smart tech and various processes, Yebo Fresh is able to provide a simple low-data customer interface to its client base, assisting township business owners.
In addition, providing this much-needed service to township traders allows them to continue trading without having to leave their store to stock up on goods.
Mark Forrester, an entrepreneur, who has invested for the second time in Yebo Fresh attributes the success of the company to the role that it plays in positive social impact.
“I backed Yebo Fresh in their first round of investment before the pandemic hit. To see the team mobilise during lockdown to help feed vulnerable families – levelling up their systems and logistical infrastructure and showcasing an anti-fragile determination – was truly inspiring.”
With new and refreshed branding applied to its website, digital assets, and more, Yebo Fresh has upscaled its business during a global pandemic, proving that its market resilience.
Jessica Boonstra, founder, and CEO of Yebo Fresh comments on how the online retailer has risen to the occasion as a business and overcome this year’s challenges.
“We are very excited about the growth and the many learnings we have experienced as a company, especially in a year where there was such little hope due to the pandemic. Through the amazing partnerships we have formed this year, we are now able to implement further technology to serve our communities even better.”
