In January, we broke the news that Y Combinator’s (YC) winter batch for 2024 included only three African startups: two Nigerian fintech firms, Cleva and Miden, alongside a then-unidentified Kenyan traveltech startup.
The startup in question is Triply, initially known as Tripitaca. Founded in 2021 by Peter Wachira and Collins Muthinja, Triply aspires to be the comprehensive operating system for Africa’s travel businesses. CEO Wachira explained, “Our platform is designed to eliminate operational disarray by integrating payments, invoicing, payroll, accounting, operations, and more, enabling travel businesses to operate and sell with greater efficiency.”
The inspiration for Triply was born out of Wachira’s personal travel frustrations, particularly the absence of a unified platform providing secure and validated accommodation options globally. Identifying this gap motivated the creation of Triply.
Despite the fact that 90% of travel businesses in Africa are small to medium-sized, they face significant hurdles. These include challenges in payment collection, reliance on manual processes, restricted access to financial services, and booking systems weakened by inadequate payment infrastructures, all contributing to a 60% drop in efficiency.
Peter Wachira is a seasoned entrepreneur within the travel domain. Before establishing Triply, he founded Luna Blue, a premier vacation rental management firm in East Africa. Collins Muthinja, Triply’s CTO, has previously spearheaded engineering teams at startups such as Boda Care, a Buy Now, Pay Later service aimed at offering affordable insurance to motorcycle operators.
Wachira expressed enthusiasm about utilizing their collective experience and the team’s capabilities to enhance travel businesses and revolutionize Africa’s travel industry. “Triply represents more than a company; it embodies a mission to unleash the potential of the continent’s travel sector and generate meaningful change.”
In a similar vein, last year saw Neighbourgood, a South African proptech company, acquiring Local Knowledge, a Cape Town-based traveltech startup that provided services akin to Triply’s offerings in East Africa. Like Triply, Local Knowledge offered handpicked travel suggestions, accommodations, and experiences. This acquisition, valued at about $1.5 million, highlights the growing demand for platforms that equip travelers worldwide with dependable and authenticated options.
