In contrast to mass-market giants selling standardised attractions, Tunisian startup WildyNess has established itself as the leading platform for authentic travel experiences and Community-Based Tourism (CBT). The startup announced today the closing of its first strategic pre-seed funding round.
The round, for an undisclosed amount, was co-led by the Bridging Angels network and the African Diaspora Network.
This investment is a first for the regional travel tech ecosystem. It positions WildyNess as the first and only B2C/B2B2C travel marketplace in North Africa to announce a pre-seed fundraising round. While local venture capital has overwhelmingly focused on FinTech, WildyNess has successfully proven a new, high-potential vertical: the sustainable experiences market.
This investor confidence was built on exceptional organic traction. Before raising a single dollar, WildyNess validated its model by generating over $300,000 in sales since its 2022 launch, with zero paid marketing spend.
“This investment validates our thesis: the future of travel is not in volume, but in authenticity and impact,” said Achraf Aouadi, co-founder of WildyNess. “Generating $300,000 in organic sales proves that travellers are desperately seeking real connections, not generic attractions. Having the support of the African Diaspora Network and Bridging Angels gives us not only capital but also a strategic bridge to international markets as we export this Tunisian success story across the MENA region.”
Founded by engineers Achraf Aouadi and Rym Bourguiba, WildyNess uses its B2B2C model to empower tourism micro-entrepreneurs. The raised capital will be used to fuel regional expansion into Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, as well as to strengthen its technology platform.
“We are proud to support African startups and entrepreneurs who not only bring a fresh take on their industries but do so with relentless discipline and constant care for their customers. WildyNess and the team are a perfect example of that,” said investors from Bridging Angels.
Riyadh, April 14, 2026, SPA — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved a new global milestone by ranking first worldwide in the Digital Readiness Framework 2025 issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Kingdom scored 94 out of 100 within the “Very High” category, advancing to first place globally, compared to 90 points and fourth place in the previous year. The Kingdom topped the global ranking, followed by Finland and Germany in second and third place with 93 points each, then the United Kingdom in fourth place with 92 points, Norway in fifth place with 91 points, and France in sixth place with 90 points

