Nairobi-based venture studio Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to transform Africa’s tourism sector. This significant investment, one of the largest tourism-tech funding rounds in Africa, was backed by prominent investors such as Clear Creek Investment B.V and Klister Corp.

PEV’s mission is to build cutting-edge travel technology that promotes a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism ecosystem across the continent.

The venture studio aims to make African tourism a global leader, leveraging innovation to drive economic growth while preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

According to Ben Peterson, PEV’s Co-Founder and CEO, “This funding is a testament to the untapped potential in African tourism innovation. We’re committed to creating groundbreaking solutions that boost economic growth, protect biodiversity, and preserve Africa’s cultural heritage.”

The funding will propel PEV’s mission to transform Africa’s tourism industry into a global leader in regenerative tourism. PEV has already made significant strides in this direction, having launched five high-impact startups addressing critical gaps in the hospitality ecosystem.

These startups, which include Nomad Africa, Kijani Supplies, Zafari, PowerTrip, and JOIN Africa, are designed to foster a sustainable and inclusive tourism ecosystem.

Nomad Africa, for instance, is a leading travel discovery platform and publisher, while Kijani Supplies is a procurement tech company providing eco-friendly hospitality supplies.

With this $4.5 million investment, PEV plans to scale its portfolio and launch new ventures, setting a new standard for regenerative tourism in Africa while reshaping the continent’s travel tech landscape.