Purple Elephant Ventures secures $4.5m Seed funding
The Nairobi-based tourism-focused venture studio has raised $4.5 million in seed financing.
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Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV), a Nairobi-based venture studio, has raised $4.5 million in seed financing. This investment will accelerate PEV’s mission to transform the continent’s tourism industry into a global leader in regenerative tourism. By building travel technology in Africa, PEV aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable tourism sector.
Investors in the round include Clear Creek Investment, Klister Corp., Fede Pirzo-Biroli (founder of Playfair Capital), Anthony Rock and Ian McCaig (former CEO of Lastminute.com).
So far, PEV has launched five startups, each addressing gaps in the hospitality ecosystem:
Nomad Africa – A travel discovery platform and Kenya’s leading travel publisher and local agency.
Kijani Supplies – A procurement tech company specialising in eco-friendly supplies for the hospitality industry.
Zafari – A booking platform for African hospitality, streamlining operations for tourism operators.
PowerTrip – A cleantech company delivering energy-efficient appliances to hospitality businesses.
JOIN Africa – A venture supporting safari guides, created in partnership with Paul English, co-founder of Kayak.
Unlike traditional venture studios, PEV retains control and self-funds its startups.
“This funding is a testament to the untapped potential in African tourism innovation,” said Ben Peterson, co-founder and CEO of Purple Elephant Ventures. “With this support, we’re poised to revolutionise 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.”
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