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South African Travel Tech Startup Conservio Raises USD 1 M

South African Travel Tech Startup Conservio Raises USD 1 M
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  • South-African based travel tech startup, Conservio raises USD 1 million in a funding round led by E4E Africa.
  • The funding will support the extension of their portfolio to over 2,000 properties across Southern Africa.
  • This investment aligns with E4E’s commitment to investing in ventures that support sustainable growth on the African continent. 

South-African based travel tech startup, Conservio raises USD 1 million in a funding round led by E4E Africa. This is alongside investments from Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures and angel investors including Payfast founder Jonathan Smit. Furthermore, this investment aligns with E4E’s commitment to investing in ventures that support sustainable growth on the African continent. 

“Conservio is not only revolutionizing the travel industry but also creating jobs in rural areas and fostering thriving conservation efforts,” said E4E managing partner Bas Hochstenbach.

Conservio

Conservio was founded in 2020 by Lara Dendy Young and Justin Rijnberg. The startup focuses on connecting travellers with nature-based properties that prioritise habitat conservation and sustainability. Moreover, their mission is to provide customers with environmentally-conscious properties. 

They currently list over 500 accommodation options across South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia. The options range from rustic cabins and farm stays to luxury loges within protected reserves. In addition, the platform tackles travel booking issues such as complex booking procedures and inefficiencies.

“We prioritize curating accommodations that not only offer exceptional travel experiences but also contribute to environmental conservation and uplift local communities.”

Lara Dendy Young, CEO and co-founder of Conservio

Expansion Goals

The funding will support the extension of their portfolio to over 2,000 properties across Southern Africa. They also aim to enhance their platform’s user experience and provide eco-tourism businesses with the tools they need to succeed. In addition, they also seek to grow their customer base and become a leading platform for nature-based travel in Africa.

 “Conservio is perfectly positioned to grow while driving meaningful change,” said Bijlsma.” said Joost Bijlsma, co-founder of Volve Capital.

All in all, Conservio aims to reshape travel by reinforcing sustainable tourism practices across Southern Africa.

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