Purple Elephant Ventures Secures $4.5M to Advance Travel Tech in Africa

Kenya-based startup studio Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to revolutionize Africa’s tourism industry through innovative travel technology. The company aims to position Africa as a leader in regenerative tourism, promoting sustainable, inclusive, and eco-friendly travel.

The funding round attracted investors including Clear Creek Investment B.V., Klister Corp., Playfair Capital founder Fede Pirzo-Biroli, former Lastminute.com CEO Ian McCaig, and Anthony Rock.

“This funding is a testament to the untapped potential in African tourism innovation,” said Ben Peterson, PEV’s co-founder and CEO. “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.”

PEV is developing hospitality software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms and energy-efficient solutions to reduce tourism’s ecological footprint. The studio has already launched five startups, including:

Nomad Africa: A discovery platform promoting eco-friendly travel options.
Zafari: A streamlined booking platform for travelers.
PowerTrip: A provider of energy-efficient appliances for hospitality businesses.
JOIN Africa: A venture with Kayak co-founder Paul English to support safari guides.

The funding follows PEV’s earlier support from UnTours’ Reset Tourism Fund, which champions sustainable tourism initiatives.

Africa’s travel tech ecosystem has historically been underdeveloped, but Peterson remains optimistic. With a growing population and rising interest in eco-tourism, the region’s tourism sector is poised for significant growth in the coming years.

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Purple Elephant Ventures Secures $4.5M to Advance Travel Tech in Africa

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