Jobs at Carry1st
Scaling awesome content in frontier markets by solving hard problems, building Africa's flagship consumer internet company.
About Carry1st
Carry1st is at the forefront of transforming digital entertainment and fintech across Africa and the Middle East, aiming to build Africa's flagship consumer internet company. Founded in 2018 by Cordel Robbin-Coker (CEO), Tinotenda Mundangepfupfu (CTO), and a visionary team, Carry1st has rapidly emerged as a pivotal player in the mobile games publishing and digital content distribution landscape. The company's core mission is to scale awesome content in frontier markets by tackling complex challenges, thereby improving the lives of players and consumers across the region.
Carry1st operates at the dynamic intersection of games, publishing, and fintech, offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower global content creators and delight local audiences. Through its publishing arm, Carry1st partners with industry giants like Activision, EA, Riot Games, and NetEase, bringing globally acclaimed titles to African and MENA markets. This involves meticulous localization, strategic user acquisition, seamless payment integration, and effective distribution. The company's commitment to this mission is underscored by significant funding rounds, including a notable $27 million pre-Series B round in 2023 led by Bitkraft, with participation from prominent investors such as a16z, Google, Riot Games, and Sony, bringing their total raised funding to over $57.5 million.
Beyond publishing, Carry1st has built a robust ecosystem through its innovative platforms. Carry1st Shop is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform offering a wide array of digital goods, including game top-ups, gift cards, lifestyle vouchers, and essential services like airtime and electricity. Complementing this is Pay1st, a sophisticated fintech and monetization engine. Pay1st acts as a merchant of record, enabling seamless transactions by integrating over 120 local payment methods, thereby bridging the payment gap for digital content in emerging markets. This dual focus on content distribution and payment infrastructure positions Carry1st as a unique and indispensable partner in the region's digital economy.
Headquartered primarily in Cape Town, South Africa, with a significant presence in New York, USA, and an active operational hub in Lagos, Nigeria, Carry1st boasts a diverse, globally distributed team of 120-175+ employees spread across more than 20 countries. This global footprint allows the company to maintain a deep understanding of local market nuances while leveraging international expertise. Carry1st is not just a business; it's an organization that fosters a vibrant culture where employees are encouraged to take their work seriously but not themselves. The company actively invests in its people, evidenced by initiatives like the Carry1st Africa Cup esports events, which not only promote gaming but also foster community and showcase talent, with plans for the 2026 finals in Abuja. Carry1st is building a future where digital content and services are accessible and enjoyable for everyone in Africa and beyond, making it an exciting and rewarding place to build a career.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is it like to work at Carry1st?
Working at Carry1st means joining a fast-paced, innovative, and fully remote global team dedicated to building Africa's leading consumer internet company. You'll collaborate with diverse professionals across 20+ countries, tackling complex challenges in mobile gaming and fintech. The culture encourages autonomy, ownership, and a healthy work-life balance, with opportunities for professional growth and team cohesion through co-working excursions. It's a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact scaling awesome content in frontier markets.
How do I apply for jobs at Carry1st?
To apply for jobs at Carry1st, visit their official careers page at https://www.carry1st.com/careers or their application portal on Workable: https://apply.workable.com/carry1st/. Browse available vacancies and follow the instructions to submit your application, which typically involves a screening process followed by technical assessments or interviews. Ensure your application clearly highlights relevant experience and your passion for Carry1st's mission.
What benefits does Carry1st offer employees?
Carry1st offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its global, remote workforce. Key benefits include equity or stock options, flexible and fully remote work arrangements with a dedicated remote working allowance ($600/year), provision of necessary equipment, and opportunities for co-working excursions and travel to connect with colleagues. Employees also receive birthday leave, access to learning and development resources like courses and conferences, and participate in regular social events. Competitive salaries and clear career growth pathways are also central to their employee proposition.
What career growth opportunities are available at Carry1st?
Carry1st is committed to employee development and offers significant career growth opportunities within its rapidly expanding organization. As a company focused on scaling in frontier markets, there are ample chances to take on new responsibilities, lead projects, and gain diverse experience across publishing, fintech, and e-commerce. The flat organizational structure encourages direct contribution and visibility, allowing individuals to carve out unique career paths. Continuous learning is supported through access to courses and conferences, ensuring employees can acquire new skills and advance within the company as it evolves.
What qualifications does Carry1st look for in candidates?
Carry1st seeks passionate, driven individuals who are excited about building Africa's flagship consumer internet company. They value problem-solvers with a proactive mindset, a strong sense of ownership, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, fully remote environment. While specific qualifications vary by role, a strong track record in gaming, fintech, e-commerce, product management, engineering, marketing, or operations is often sought. Adaptability, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to the company's mission of scaling awesome content in frontier markets are key attributes they look for.