Business AI introduces marketplace to simplify enterprise adoption of trusted AI solutions

The South African start-up, backed by Mustek, launches a platform to connect enterprises with verified AI technologies and service providers.

Rudi Dreyer, CEO of Business AI.

Business AI, a South African technology start-up supported by Mustek, has unveiled the Business AI Marketplace, a digital platform designed to connect local organisations with verified, enterprise-grade artificial intelligence solutions and accredited partners.

The marketplace is intended to help African enterprises more easily discover, evaluate, and implement AI technologies while retaining control over data privacy, compliance, and costs.

“Our goal is to make trusted AI accessible to African enterprises — built locally, yet competitive globally,” said Rudi Dreyer, CEO of Business AI.

Developed in collaboration with Beyond Now, the platform allows companies to switch between AI tools and workloads based on performance, compliance, or cost requirements. This flexibility is aimed at supporting organisations seeking measurable value from their AI investments.

Early participants include Mustek, Woolworths, Italtile, and Bidvest, reflecting growing corporate interest in practical AI deployment within South Africa’s business landscape.

In 2025, Mustek invested R7 million for a 51% share in Business AI — a move aligned with its strategy to diversify beyond hardware distribution into the AI software and services market.

According to Hein Engelbrecht, CEO of Mustek, the marketplace is open to any vetted AI vendor or service provider wishing to offer tools or consulting services through a secure, transactable platform.

The Business AI Marketplace introduces a curated environment where enterprises can access AI vendors, data centres, and service providers that have undergone a compliance and security validation process. This approach aims to build confidence and accountability in enterprise AI adoption.

Mustek’s 2025 annual report noted that the acquisition strengthens its position across AI-enabled hardware, analytics, automation, and cybersecurity, sectors where South African firms are already seeing growing demand.

Leading the company are Rudi Dreyer, formerly Chief Business Environment Officer at 4Sight Holdings, and Andre Hogewoning, former CIO of Value Logistics, now serving as COO. Together, they are positioning Business AI as a key player in Africa’s AI economy, linking global technology capabilities to local business needs.

As adoption of AI accelerates across South Africa, the launch of the Business AI Marketplace represents a step toward broader enterprise access to trusted AI technologies, supporting sustainable digital transformation across the continent.