Purple Elephant Ventures Raises $4.5 Million to Scale Its African Tourism Portfolio

Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV), a Nairobi-based venture studio, has secured $4.5 million in seed financing—one of the largest tourism-tech rounds in African history.

The funding reflects growing confidence in Africa’s potential as a hub for sustainable tourism innovation.

The big picture

PEV is on a mission to transform the continent’s tourism industry into a leader in regenerative tourism by building cutting-edge travel technology.

• The studio’s goal: Foster a resilient, inclusive, and eco-friendly tourism sector.
• The round drew high-profile backers like Clear Creek Investment B.V., Klister Corp., and Fede Pirzo-Biroli of Playfair Capital, alongside Anthony Rock and Ian McCaig, former CEO of Lastminute.com.

What they’re saying

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

“We’re poised to revolutionize the industry through groundbreaking travel technology, fostering economic growth while preserving Africa’s natural and cultural heritage.”

Zoom in

Emerging from the pandemic, PEV has launched five startups addressing key gaps in the hospitality ecosystem:

• Nomad Africa: Kenya’s leading travel discovery platform and local agency.
• Kijani Supplies: Eco-friendly procurement tech for hospitality businesses.
• Zafari: A platform streamlining operations for African hospitality bookings.
• PowerTrip: A cleantech company delivering energy-efficient solutions for hospitality.
• JOIN Africa: A venture supporting safari guides, co-founded with Paul English of Kayak.

What’s next

With the new funding, PEV will scale its portfolio and launch ventures tackling challenges in Africa’s tourism industry, from sustainability to digital transformation.

Source: CIO Africa