LekkeSlaap, a popular online travel brand, has entered a new chapter after being acquired by a consortium of South African investors. The acquisition marks the exit of co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste, along with other long-standing shareholders. The transaction brings together South African investment firms Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, the Ferreira Family Office, the Moolman Family Office, and Investec.
LekkeSlaap's journey began as a garage-based travel technology startup in 2009, before the platform was launched in 2013. Today, it connects travelers with over 40,000 properties across Southern Africa and has served more than nine million guests since its inception. The company's growth into one of South Africa's most recognizable online travel brands has been attributed to its founders' vision and leadership.
The acquisition ensures that LekkeSlaap remains in South African hands, with the company's executive management team investing alongside the consortium and continuing to lead the business. Marcel Boezaart, Partner at Bellair Road Investment Partners, described LekkeSlaap as a proudly South African success story, expressing excitement to build on the foundations laid by the founders.
LekkeSlaap's CEO, Frans Joubert, and the existing executive team will continue to lead the company, with the transaction marking an exciting new chapter in the company's entrepreneurial story. Joubert stated that LekkeSlaap remains proudly local and independent in spirit, but with the right partners behind them, they can now dream even bigger.
The company has strengthened its board with the appointment of two South African business leaders: Herman Bosman, Chairman of the OUTsurance Group and Fortress Real Estate, and Robert Paddock, co-founder of GetSmarter and Valenture Institute. Both Bosman and Paddock have also invested alongside the new investors, bringing additional expertise and guidance to the company.
For LekkeSlaap's millions of guests, thousands of hosts, and industry partners, operations will remain unchanged, with the platform continuing to provide booking services and customer support. The new investment is expected to give the business greater capacity to scale its ambitions and accelerate its growth, with Joubert stating that the company's ambition is simple: to put Africa on the map.
The acquisition is expected to provide an opportunity for LekkeSlaap to expand further across Southern Africa, invest more deeply in technology and localization, and create better experiences for guests and hosts. Joubert expressed his excitement for the company's future, stating that despite everything LekkeSlaap has already achieved, its most exciting years are still ahead.
Key points
- LekkeSlaap has been acquired by a consortium of South African investors, ensuring the company's continued growth and development under local ownership.
- The acquisition marks the exit of co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste, with the company's executive management team continuing to lead the business.
- LekkeSlaap's operations will remain unchanged, with the platform continuing to provide booking services and customer support to its millions of guests.
