ABOUT US

We are Uku

We are a tribe of highly-skilled marketers, designers, developers, strategists, and HubSpot specialists brought together by the desire to help our customers build great businesses. We’re the Uku’s. 

we are uku
Uku flywheel

The Uku Story

Uku (pronounced “oo koo”), originally derived from the Zulu word “Ukukhanya”, which means light.

The roots of our agency today started back in 2011 in Taipei, when Dane and Nate started their first business. SA’s first dedicated mens online retailer called KIPH.

While bootstrapping their start-up, and getting their teeth stuck into this new world of e-commerce, social media and content marketing, they start to help other businesses on the side do the same. 

We’re a tight-knit team, who call each other “fam”. We’re curious, creative and eager to help. We’re known to craft digital strategies and solutions that are methodical, calculated, and geared towards achieving your growth goals.

Uku flywheel

The Uku Story

Uku (pronounced “oo koo”), originally derived from the Zulu word “Ukukhanya”, which means light.

The roots of our agency today started back in 2011 in Taipei, when Dane and Nate started their first business. SA’s first dedicated mens online retailer called KIPH.

While bootstrapping their start-up, and getting their teeth stuck into this new world of e-commerce, social media and content marketing, they start to help other businesses on the side do the same.

We’re a tight-knit team, who call each other “fam”. We’re curious, creative and eager to help. We’re known to craft digital strategies and solutions that are methodical, calculated, and geared towards achieving your growth goals.

Our core values

tribe uku inbound
We’re a tribe

First and foremost, we’re a close-knit, highly passionate and driven team that value authenticity and genuine connections.

grow uku inbound
We grow people

We place huge value on growth, individually, and as a team. We aim to empower and encourage each person and business we interact with to embrace learning and growth along the way.

climb mountains uku inbound
We climb mountians

We’re a data-driven team that uses data and insights to drive innovation and strategy, even when it’s tough.

fire uku inbound
We create value

We always aim to create the most value for your business and ours. We work hard to deliver results that leave a long-lasting impression.

water uku inbound
We take ownership

We’re a determined team that’s not afraid to take on every challenge that comes our way, we take ownership and responsibility for every action taken.

Our core values

tribe uku inbound
We’re a tribe

First and foremost, we’re a close-knit, highly passionate and driven team that value authenticity and genuine connections.

grow uku inbound
We grow people

We place huge value on growth, individually, and as a team. We aim to empower and encourage each person and business we interact with to embrace learning and growth along the way.

climb mountains uku inbound
We climb mountians

We’re a data-driven team that uses data and insights to drive innovation and strategy, even when it’s tough.

fire uku inbound
We create value

We always aim to create the most value for your business and ours. We work hard to deliver results that leave a long-lasting impression.

water uku inbound
We take ownership

We’re a determined team that’s not afraid to take on every challenge that comes our way, we take ownership and responsibility for every action taken.

Are we the right fit for you?

Good question. The truth is that we can’t help everyone. Ask yourself these questions:

cat uku
one
Do people buy your goods or services on impulse?

If your answer is Yes, then we are probably not a good fit. Our strategies work best when your customers need to consider the decision they are making. More often than not this means B2B businesses but some B2C businesses are still a good fit.

two
What lifecycle stage is your business in?

Typically we work with medium to large businesses with at least R50 million in annual revenue. If you are a self-funded startup or small business working with an agency can be too expensive.

three
Do you need an agency or a freelancer?

If you are looking to solve a specific business challenge or meet a business goal and need strategic guidance and technical expertise then you’ve come to the right place. If you know what you want and just need to get the job done cheaply then a freelancer would be a better fit.

cat uku

Are we the right fit for you?

Good question. The truth is that we can’t help everyone. Ask yourself these questions:

one
Do people buy your goods or services on impulse?

If your answer is Yes, then we are probably not a good fit. Our strategies work best when your customers need to consider the decision they are making. More often than not this means B2B businesses but some B2C businesses are still a good fit.

two uku inbound
What lifecycle stage is your business in?

Typically we work with medium to large businesses with at least R50 million in annual revenue. If you are a self-funded startup or small business working with an agency can be too expensive.

three uku inbound
Do you need an agency or a freelancer?

If you are looking to solve a specific business challenge or meet a business goal and need strategic guidance and technical expertise then you’ve come to the right place. If you know what you want and just need to get the job done cheaply then a freelancer would be a better fit.

Let’s meet the tribe.

Ever heard the saying “jack of all trades, master of none”?

We partner with award-winning teams that specialise in their fields meaning we can build a team around your needs and deliver exceptional digital solutions. 

From Cape Town to Joburg, Panama, Edinburg, and Rio de Janeiro our Uku tribe is geared to helping you grow better.

dane
Dane van Zyl

CEO

appy
Appy Apps

Mobile App Development

entle
Emma-Jane Shaw

Head of Content

entle
Entle

Web Development

Pierre F. Lombard

Photography & Videography

claudio
Claudio Pereira

Director of Marketing Ops

fixate
Fixate

UX, UI and Development

Nate
Nathan van Zyl

Managing Director

You're in great company.

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stars
"We have always been impressed and satisfied with their outstanding work and professional customer ethic."
Geoff Amyot,
CEO
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stars
"Over the last 18 months, they have helped us launch 4 new brands successfully, with enthusiastic eagerness & a solid approach to inbound & digital marketing." 

Alysha Buckle,
Marketing Manager
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stars
"Uku’s skills in strategy development and experiential content marketing and measurement have proved invaluable."
Felicity Hinton,
Strategist
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Do you need more leads?

Schedule a quick 15-minute call with one of our lead gen experts and let’s take a closer look at how you can generate more qualified leads for your sales team.

uku emoji with sunglasses

Do you need more leads?

Schedule a quick 15-minute call with one of our lead gen experts and let’s take a closer look at how you can generate more qualified leads for your sales team.