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eBay founder’s company invests in SA Giraffe startup

South African online job ads startup, Giraffe, recently closed a VC funding round from the Omidyar Network, founded and run by Pierre Omidyar, the man who founded eBay.

Giraffe’s automated mobile recruitment app enables businesses to recruit medium-skilled staff and uses an intelligent matching algorithm to source, screen, and schedule interviews with qualified candidates within two days.

Silicon Valley-based Omidyar Network is an investment firm targeting tech-based businesses in consumer internet and mobile, education, financial inclusion, governance and citizen engagement, and property rights.

“Giraffe is filling a critical gap within the South African job market, which is helping medium-skilled jobseekers connect with potential employers, and doing it with a technology-enabled platform that brings intelligence and efficiency to the process,” Omidyar Network’s Charmaine Padayachy, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to support the expansion of Giraffe’s platform and looking forward to helping it scale to reach broader positive impact in the country.”

Since launching its service in Johannesburg in February 2015, Giraffe has attracted over 90 000 jobseekers and has scheduled several thousand candidates for interview, primarily for permanent jobs in retail, call centre, transportation, and administrative services.

Last month, Giraffe was crowned the Seedstars Global World winner for 2015, beating out 63 other competitors from around the world and walking away with $500 000 (R7.2 million) in equity investment.

“Omidyar Network’s focus on job creation and particular expertise in marketplace networks makes them an excellent strategic fit for Giraffe,” said Anish Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Giraffe. “We’re very proud to have a Silicon Valley investor supporting a South African company, especially at this troubled time of prevailing economic malaise.”

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