How Avi Maja and Braden Snyman Scaled Breaze Delivery into South Africa’s Elevated Last-Mile Champion
How Avi Maja and Braden Snyman Scaled Breaze Delivery into South Africa’s Elevated Last-Mile Champion. In 2019, Avi Maja and Braden Snyman were far from household names, they were simply exploring gaps in the delivery market. Breaze Delivery began as a side hustle while both still held full-time jobs. Yet, the entrepreneurial spark was there: a chance to help e-commerce platforms deliver faster, more affordably and with a twist. They officially founded Breaze Delivery in 2021, building a technology-driven, last-mile and on-demand delivery platform that would serve ghost kitchens, grocery stores, liquor shops, online retailers, and more.
Innovation on Wheels: Marketing Meets Mobility
What really makes Breaze Delivery stand out is its creative fusion of logistics and marketing. Riders don scooters that aren’t just for deliveries, they become rolling billboards, equipped with mobile advertising panels. This allows brands to advertise in real time while deliveries are being made. This dual-function strategy turned the fleet itself into a powerful marketing asset, capturing attention in streets, parking lanes, and high-footfall spots.
Building Trust Through Scale and Tech Integration
Breaze’s rapid expansion didn’t rely just on flashy visuals, it earned credibility through technology, infrastructure, and inclusivity. The company grew its network to over 700 drivers and linked with more than 100 clients, steadily making same-day and even 60-minute deliveries a reality for merchants. In just a year, Breaze facilitated over R3 million in payouts to drivers, emphasizing both economic impact and scale.
Validation at the Pitch Stage: $70 000 Prize and Beyond
A major inflection point came when Avi and Braden entered the 2024 Nedbank Pitch & Polish competition, a stage known for its intense mentoring, credibility building, and decidedly competitive field. Breaze Delivery captured the grand prize, R1 million (R650 000 in cash plus a R350 000 Raizcorp bursary for business development). This win didn’t just bring funds, it opened mentorship networks, improved their pitch, and positioned Breaze as a mature player in fintech-enabled logistics.
Key Lessons from Breaze’s Road Map
- Start lean, think big: They launched Breaze while working full time, validating the idea before over-investing.
- Combine functionality with branding: The advertising scooter model delivers value to merchants beyond logistics.
- Scale with fairness and transparency: High driver payouts and fluid integration with client systems build trust and momentum.
- Leverage high-profile platforms: Their Pitch & Polish win brought both capital and unmatched visibility.
- Design for the underserved: SMEs need affordable, fast delivery. Breaze filled that niche and turned it into an advantage.
Logistics That Compare and Thrive
Breaze’s technology integrates with client e-commerce platforms, offering live tracking, chat, and call support, features that matter to merchants and end consumers alike. Their tech-first approach also ensures consistency and reliability, two currency units that earn client loyalty.
Expansion, Employment, and Empowerment
Beyond deliveries, Breaze’s rapid job creation has made headlines. In just a few years, they created over 1 000 jobs in cities across South Africa. The impact is not just economic, it fosters community upliftment and expands opportunity.
From Startup to Scaling Up
Today, Breaze Delivery stands as a testament to the power of bold thinking paired with strategy. Two founders transformed a side hustle into a delivery powerhouse that serves clients, promotes brands, creates jobs, and continues to innovate. Their story shows that with clarity, flexibility, and ambition, scalable businesses can emerge, even from the toughest operating environments.
