Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV), a leading venture studio based in Nairobi, Kenya, has secured a significant investment of $4.5 million in seed funding.
This substantial investment marks a major milestone for the African tourism-tech sector, positioning PEV as a key player in driving innovation and sustainability within the industry.
The funding round garnered support from a distinguished group of investors, including Clear Creek Investment B.V, Klister Corp., Fede Pirzo-Biroli (founder of Playfair Capital), Anthony Rock, and Ian McCaig (former CEO of Lastminute.com).
This influx of capital underscores the growing confidence and interest in African travel tech startups and their potential to reshape the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape.
A Vision for Regenerative Tourism
PEV is on a mission to transform African tourism into a global leader in regenerative practices. By leveraging cutting-edge travel technology, the venture studio aims to create a thriving tourism sector that is not only resilient and inclusive but also environmentally sustainable.
Since its inception, PEV has launched five high-impact startups, each addressing critical challenges within the hospitality ecosystem:
Nomad Africa: A leading travel discovery platform and local agency in Kenya.
Kijani Supplies: A procurement tech company specializing in eco-friendly supplies for the hospitality industry.
Zafari: A revolutionary booking platform streamlining operations for African hospitality operators.
PowerTrip: A cleantech company providing energy-efficient appliances to hospitality businesses.
JOIN Africa: A venture supporting safari guides, established in partnership with Paul English, co-founder of Kayak.
Unlike traditional venture studios, PEV maintains control and self-funds its startups, ensuring alignment with its long-term vision of advancing tourism innovation and delivering transformative impact across Africa.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Purple Elephant Ventures, Ben Peterson expressed his enthusiasm saying:”This funding is a testament to the untapped potential in African tourism innovation. 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.”
The $4.5 million investment will empower PEV to scale its existing portfolio of startups and launch new ventures aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges facing the tourism industry.
As a pioneer in venture capital for tourism tech in Africa, PEV is paving the way for a thriving, regenerative, and technologically advanced tourism ecosystem across the continent.