Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) has secured an additional $500,000 investment from Alphatron, bringing its total seed round to $5 million. PEV had previously announced a $4.5M Seed Round in January, led by Clear Creek Investments and Klister Corp. This additional support reinforces investor confidence in PEV’s mission to revolutionize African tourism through technology and sustainability-driven ventures.
Emerging from the pandemic with a vision to transform tourism into a regenerative and tech-enabled industry, PEV has been building a portfolio of groundbreaking startups designed to tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges. The venture studio has already launched five high-impact companies:
- Nomad Africa – A travel discovery tech platform and Kenya’s leading travel publisher and local travel agency.
- Zafari – A SaaS platform revolutionizing booking for African hospitality operators.
- Kijani Supplies – A procurement tech company specializing in sustainable hospitality supplies.
- PowerTrip – A cleantech startup delivering energy-efficient appliances for hospitality business
- JOIN Africa – A venture supporting safari guides, created in partnership with Paul English, co-founder of Kayak.
By securing additional capital, PEV is poised to scale these ventures further, invest in new tourism technology solutions, and deepen its impact across Africa’s travel ecosystem.
The funding will be used to expand the reach of existing portfolio companies and launch new ventures aimed at addressing critical gaps in African tourism. It will also support the development of digital infrastructure to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability across the sector. Additionally, the investment will help strengthen partnerships with investors, conservationists, and technology leaders, all working together to drive long-term transformation within the industry.
“Alphatron’s investment is a testament to the transformative potential of regenerative tourism in Africa,” said Ben Peterson, Co-Founder and CEO of Purple Elephant Ventures. “Their support not only strengthens our financial position but also aligns with our vision of leveraging technology to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and thriving tourism industry.”
Floris de Kort, Director of the Alphatron Group, echoed this sentiment, stating, “In Purple Elephant Ventures, we found the perfect blend of innovation, sustainability, and market potential. Their vision for transforming Africa’s tourism sector through technology aligns perfectly with what we value at Alphatron. What resonated with us most was PEV’s understanding that technological advancement in tourism must prioritize environmental responsibility. This investment represents our commitment to partnering with visionaries who are reshaping industries for a climate-conscious future while delivering meaningful economic impact across Africa.”
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