Tunisian traveltech startup WildyNess has closed a pre-seed round co-led by Bridging Angels and the African Diaspora Network for an undisclosed amount. The B2B2C company connects conscious travelers with community-based tourism experiences co-created with local micro-entrepreneurs. The raise sets up the startup for regional expansion and technology upgrades as it targets growing demand for authentic, impact-driven travel.
Market context
North Africa’s tourism industry has long been shaped by mass-market platforms that prioritize volume and standardized attractions. WildyNess positions itself against that model by emphasizing authenticity, sustainability, and social impact in how trips are discovered and delivered. This approach aligns with a broader shift among travelers who favor direct connections with local culture, craft, and nature.
Funding details and investors
The pre-seed round was co-led by Bridging Angels and the African Diaspora Network, signaling confidence in the sustainable experiences segment. While the amount was not disclosed, the participation of these networks adds investor support and international reach. According to the company, the financing marks a first-of-its-kind milestone for a North Africa based B2C and B2B2C travel marketplace at pre-seed.
Business model and traction
Founded in 2021 by Achraf Aouadi and Rym Bourguiba, WildyNess operates a hybrid marketplace that serves both end travelers and travel industry partners. The platform helps tourism micro-entrepreneurs co-create and sell experiences that reflect local identity and preserve community value. Since launching in 2022, the startup reports more than $300,000 in organic sales achieved without paid marketing.
Expansion plans and technology
WildyNess will use the capital to enter Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates in its first regional scale-up phase. The company also plans to strengthen its technology infrastructure to improve marketplace operations and user experience for both travelers and local partners. Product emphasis will focus on features that streamline discovery, booking, and safety while protecting the integrity of community-led experiences.
Leadership perspective
Co-founder Achraf Aouadi said the investment validates the thesis that future growth in travel comes from authenticity and impact rather than volume. He noted that early traction, achieved without advertising spend, reflects traveler appetite for meaningful connections over generic attractions. Investor backers highlighted the team’s disciplined execution and customer focus as reasons for their support.
Significance for the MENA ecosystem
As one of the few venture-backed traveltech startups emerging from Tunisia, WildyNess underscores the region’s capacity to build differentiated platforms. The company’s focus on community-based tourism adds a new vertical to a venture landscape that often concentrates on fintech. If execution matches ambition, the model could encourage more founders to commercialize sustainability driven travel products across MENA.
Competitive positioning
WildyNess competes by curating verified, locally produced experiences rather than aggregating mass-market tours. The B2B2C structure is designed to attract both travelers seeking authenticity and agencies or hospitality partners seeking sustainable inventory. This dual-channel strategy may help lower acquisition costs and deepen supply while maintaining quality control.
Risks and execution focus
Cross-border expansion will require localized onboarding, consistent standards, and trust building in each new market. Technology enhancements must balance scale with the community safeguards that give the product its differentiation. Success will depend on maintaining experience quality as inventory grows and ensuring that value returns to local creators.
WildyNess is moving from validated traction to regional scaling with new investor backing and a sharpened product roadmap. By centering community-based tourism and measurable impact, the startup aims to redefine how MENA travelers discover and book authentic experiences. The coming expansion will test whether its model can scale while preserving the local character that drives demand.