South Africa’s startup funding is recovering, but founders still struggle to find fit

That sounds like a contradiction in a country where startup funding is recovering. According to Disrupt Africa, South African startups raised $335.9 million in 2025, more than three times the $100.4 million raised in 2024. Forty-two startups secured funding, up from 25 the previous year, while the average deal size nearly doubled to $7.99 million from $4.02 million.