Kenyan startup TausiApp is an on-demand beauty tech platform that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to connect freelance beauticians with clients.
Founded in 2021 by Amos Kimani, a prominent musician in Kenya, TausiApp serves as a marketplace where clients can easily find and book beauty services, ranging from hairstyling to makeup application, from a network of verified and skilled beauticians.
“TausiApp focuses on empowering beauticians by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents, gain more clients, and achieve self-employment. The platform also incorporates quality control measures to ensure clients receive top-notch beauty services. Through TausiApp, beauticians can build their businesses independently, and clients can enjoy convenient and professional beauty services at their preferred location,” Kimani told Disrupt Africa.
The idea for the app stemmed from Kimani’s personal experiences while shooting music videos, and the challenges he faced in booking beauty services on-site. Inspired by the convenience of ride-hailing services, he envisioned creating a platform to connect freelance beauticians with clients.
“TausiApp identified a gap in the market for convenient and on-demand beauty services, especially for freelance beauticians who faced challenges in reaching clients efficiently,” Kimani said. “Plus, already employed beauticians in salons are usually taken advantage of by being paid less than 30 per cent commissions, yet they are the reasons clients go to the salons.”
TausiApp aims to fix this issue, as do competitors like BeautyLynk, StyleSeat and GlamSquad. Kimani, however, said TausiApp differentiates itself by focusing on empowering freelance beauticians, ensuring quality services through AI-driven matchmaking, and creating a transparent and fair marketplace for both clients and beauticians.
“This unique approach sets TausiApp apart in the competitive beauty services industry,” he said.
The platform has experienced positive uptake in its B2B segment, securing contracts with more than 25 boarding boys high schools for student grooming within the school premises. The company has also partnered with tour and travel companies to provide on-demand beauty services, such as massages and manicures, to tourists in popular destinations like Cape Town and Mombasa.
“These B2B collaborations showcase the value TausiApp brings to institutional and travel-related sectors,” Kimani said.
The B2C segment has, he said, proven more challenging, but still TausiApp has managed to attract over 20,000 clients.
“These clients are primarily from weddings and gated communities, indicating a demand for the services provided by TausiApp. While there are hurdles in reaching a wider B2C audience, the existing client base demonstrates the relevance and necessity of TausiApp’s offerings,” he said.
The company is actively working towards expanding its reach and making the product accessible to a broader consumer base. To do that, it is seeking more funding. TausiApp was initially funded through a US$100,000 pre-seed round from Adanian Labs Africa in 2022, which provided the necessary support to establish and launch the platform successfully.
“Currently, TausiApp is generating substantial revenue from its operations,” Kimani said. “We are actively seeking additional funding through a seed round to fuel growth and expansion.”
The startup, which monetises via a commission-based model, has already made significant strides in the Kenyan, Tanzanian, and South African markets, but is actively exploring opportunities in new markets.
