In a groundbreaking move for African travel technology, Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV), a Nairobi-based venture studio, has raised $4.5 million in seed financing. This landmark funding is not only a testament to the burgeoning potential of Africa’s tourism-tech industry but also marks the largest tourism-tech fundraise in Kenya’s history.
PEV’s mission is ambitious: to transform Africa’s tourism industry into a global leader in regenerative tourism by leveraging cutting-edge technology. With a focus on creating a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable sector, the company is poised to redefine how tourism operates across the continent.
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Backing from Global Investors
The funding round saw participation from a notable array of investors, including Clear Creek Investment B.V, Klister Corp., Fede Pirzo-Biroli (founder of Playfair Capital), and Anthony Rock and Ian McCaig (former CEO of Lastminute.com). This diverse group of backers reflects growing global confidence in Africa’s ability to innovate within the tourism sector and drive impactful change in the startup ecosystem.
Innovation Meets Sustainability
Emerging stronger after the pandemic, PEV has adopted a bold vision for the future of African tourism. It aims to address critical challenges such as biodiversity loss, community livelihoods, and the ecological footprint of travel. Through its venture studio model, PEV has already launched five startups that tackle key gaps in the tourism and hospitality industry:
- Nomad Africa: A travel discovery platform and Kenya’s leading travel publisher.
- Kijani Supplies: A procurement tech startup specializing in eco-friendly products for the hospitality sector.
- Zafari: A booking platform that streamlines operations for African tourism operators.
- PowerTrip: A cleantech company providing energy-efficient appliances to hospitality businesses.
- JOIN Africa: A venture empowering safari guides, developed in collaboration with Paul English, co-founder of Kayak.
By retaining control and self-funding its startups, PEV ensures alignment with its vision of sustainable tourism innovation, creating long-term impact and financial viability.
Scaling Regenerative Tourism
“This funding is a testament to the untapped potential in African tourism innovation,” said Ben Peterson, Co-Founder and CEO of PEV. “With this support, we’re poised to revolutionize the industry through groundbreaking travel technology in Africa, fostering economic growth while preserving the continent’s incredible natural and cultural heritage. The future of sustainable tourism in Africa has never been brighter.”
With the $4.5 million investment, PEV plans to expand its portfolio of startups, explore new ventures, and address pressing challenges in the tourism sector. As a pioneer in tourism-tech venture capital, PEV is laying the groundwork for a thriving, regenerative, and technologically advanced African tourism ecosystem.
