This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 23, 2019, Tastemakers Africa, an adventure marketplace, raised $1.4 million from Precursor Ventures to market its platform to tourists globally.
Founded by Cheraé Robinson, Tastemakers Africa offers curated tours created and hosted by artists, creators, and makers in Africa to connect its users to real people offering authentic experiences in their own cultures.
According to the firm, its goal is to build a world where people value each other equally, regardless of their birthplace or skin color. The platform puts a premium on culture, especially that created by people of African descent.
Tastemakers Africa currently operates in Accra, Cape Town, Dakar, and Johannesburg and is expanding worldwide. The platform takes a 20% commission on each transaction fulfilled and plans to use the funds to sign up more experiences and ramp up its product using machine learning.
Users can easily book experiences on the platform by choosing their destination, travel dates, and then selecting from a range of vetted trips curated by community members. After booking, the firm sends a confirmation receipt with all the details of the trip.
Tastemakers Africa also offers group travel for individuals, universities, and corporations. To join as a curator, one needs to fill in an application form and await the Tastemakers team to review it.
