Simplify payments for schools, students, and parents—while helping the next generation build smart money habits.
In 2016, Doug Hoernle noticed a growing problem in schools: payment requests were getting buried under other communications, and handling cash was stressful and unsafe for teachers and parents alike.
That’s when the lightbulb went on: What if schools could send a message to parents and get paid instantly? This idea led to the creation of the Karri app—a simple, secure app designed to remove cash from schools and make life easier for parents, teachers, and bursars.
Since then, Karri has made schools safer for children and become a household name in South African families. But our mission doesn’t stop there. With the Karri Card, we’re helping build smart money habits for the next generation.
We’re here to make schools safer and payments simpler. And we’re just getting started.
Karri has removed billions of rands from school campuses across the country, making our schools a safer place for our children. We’re a regulated Financial Services Provider with zero fraud incident history, meaning your money is always safe and accounted for.
Over the past eight years, Karri has taken South Africa by storm, becoming one of the country's most beloved apps. With over 18,000 app reviews averaging 4.9 stars, it’s clear that schools and parents trust Karri to make payments simple, secure, and stress-free.
We work with South Africa’s top public and private schools to transform their payment processes.
With Karri, Schools are collecting payments for anything and everything.
18 000+ app review at a 4.9 star average. The most common parent feedback we hear is that Karri is a “Game-changer”.
"This app literally changed my life."
Karri (pronounced Carry) is derived from the isiZulu word for “small change.” In the correct context, it’s often used as “iKerri.”
While the name holds different meanings globally, here in South Africa, Karri has become synonymous with school payments.
Our business thrives on communities, believing connection builds strength and collaboration, creating greater collective impact.
We believe in relentless growth of ourselves and our business and a growth mindset. To stop growing is to stagnate.
We believe in being real and honest and conducting ourselves with integrity.
We believe in spending time and money thoughtfully and only on things that add real value. If we say we are going to do something, we will make it happen, no matter the hurdles.
We believe there are no failures, only huge learnings. Our strength lies in our tenacity to dust ourselves off and keep on going.
