LekkeSlaap enters new chapter under South African ownership

LekkeSlaap, the popular travel platform, is undergoing a new phase of growth after being acquired by a group of South African investors. The venture marks the departure of co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste, as well as several other shareholders. The new investors include South African firms Bellair Road Investment Partners, Janic Capital, the Ferreira Family Office, the Moolman Family Office, and Investec.

The company's executive management team has also joined the investment, and they will continue to steer the business.

Founded in 2009 as a garage-based travel technology startup, LekkeSlaap launched in 2013 and has since expanded to connect travelers with over 40,000 properties in Southern Africa, serving more than nine million guests. Founders Womersley and van de Ghinste expressed satisfaction with the company's growth and their excitement about the future under new ownership. They emphasized the importance of finding owners who share the company's culture, values, and vision.

The acquisition ensures that LekkeSlaap remains under South African leadership while bringing together long-term local investment and the company's existing management team. Marcel Boezaart, a partner at Bellair Road Investment Partners, welcomed the opportunity to work with the brand and build upon its foundations. CEO Frans Joubert and the current executive team will continue to lead LekkeSlaap, vowing to make the company even bigger and bolder.

The board has also been strengthened with the addition of two South African business leaders, Herman Bosman and Robert Paddock. Bosman, Chairman of OUTsurance Group and Fortress Real Estate, and former CEO of RMB Holdings and RMI Holdings, will serve as chairman. Paddock, co-founder of GetSmarter and Valenture Institute, has also invested alongside the new investors. Both men expressed their enthusiasm for guiding and supporting the company as it enters a new phase of growth.

LekkeSlaap's millions of guests, thousands of hosts, and industry partners can expect no changes to operations. The platform will continue to provide booking services and customer support, with the new investment aimed at enhancing the company's ability to scale and accelerate growth. CEO Joubert expressed his ambition for the business, stating that the next chapter would focus on expanding further across Southern Africa, investing more in technology and localisation, and creating even better experiences for guests and hosts.

Despite its accomplishments, Joubert remains confident that LekkeSlaap's most exciting years are yet to come.