Spatialedge

Spatialedge is a South African applied artificial intelligence firm that provides decision-support software for consumer-facing businesses. Founded in 2015 by Retief Gerber, Cronje Fourie, Jacques Toit, Frank Ortmann, and Philip Perold, the company launched operations from Stellenbosch in 2017. CEO Retief Gerber brings extensive industry experience, having previously served as a lecturer at Stellenbosch University and holding roles at several technology companies. The company was established to address the need for businesses to solve complex data challenges and operationalize machine learning models effectively.

The firm operates by developing and operationalizing bespoke analytical solutions that integrate into a client's core business systems. Its business model combines consulting services, a proprietary AI platform, and professional services to deliver end-to-end solutions. Clients are typically large, multinational enterprises in sectors such as retail, telecommunications, finance, and mining. Spatialedge's revenue is generated through custom-priced projects and solutions tailored to each business's specific needs, with the company having surpassed ZAR 300 million in revenue. A key milestone was the acquisition of Cape AI in October 2022 to accelerate scaling. In April 2024, the company secured ZAR 60 million (approximately $3.1 million) in Series A funding from Hlayisani Capital to expand research and development and enhance its product offerings for the retail industry.

Spatialedge offers a suite of decision tools and an AI engine designed to optimize enterprise operations. The core platform enhances existing data systems and facilitates the rapid deployment of AI-powered applications. Specific products include tools for retail price and markdown optimization, telecom tower placement, predictive maintenance for mining, and credit decisioning for financial institutions. These solutions leverage a combination of business intelligence, location intelligence, and machine learning to provide actionable insights. The company's services encompass AI maturity assessments, roadmap creation, data warehousing, and building data pipelines to ensure data is clean, secure, and ready for analysis. By working directly with business users, Spatialedge aims to deliver measurable financial impact and empower client teams to use the integrated solutions for daily decision-making.

Keywords: applied AI, machine learning solutions, decision support systems, big data analytics, business intelligence, location intelligence, data-driven decision-making, enterprise AI, custom analytical solutions, operational AI, retail technology, financial services AI, telecom analytics, predictive maintenance, price optimization, data warehousing, machine learning operationalization, Hlayisani Capital, Retief Gerber, Stellenbosch startup