Tunisian-based travel tech startup WildyNess, founded in 2021 in Ben Arous by engineers Achraf Aouadi and Rym Bourguiba, has closed its first institutional pre-seed funding round as it positions itself to scale immersive, sustainable tourism experiences across North Africa and the Middle East. The company operates a hybrid B2C and B2B2C marketplace connecting travellers with local guides, authentic stays and culturally rooted activities in Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Though based in Tunisia, WildyNess has strong regional ambitions and participated in the Sanabil Startup Unlocked by 500 Global programme—a one-week bootcamp in Riyadh co-hosted by Sanabil Investments and 500 Global, designed to accelerate the growth of promising MENA startups.
WildyNess’ platform is built around community-based tourism. It enables micro-entrepreneurs, artisans and guides to design and host travel experiences that showcase local culture while ensuring that economic value remains within the community. The company reports that roughly 60 percent of its experiences are led by women, aligning with its mission to promote inclusion and sustainability. Through its digital marketplace, travellers can book more than 100 immersive activities—from overnight desert experiences in Douz to culinary workshops in the medina of Tunis—all aimed at redefining how visitors engage with North African destinations. According to UNDP, 25 percent of the micro-businesses working with WildyNess saw revenues grow by more than 40 percent, highlighting the platform’s measurable social and economic impact.
The pre-seed round was co-led by Bridging Angels and the African Diaspora Network, with the funding amount undisclosed. According to Startup Researcher, WildyNess has already generated over US$300,000 in organic sales since launch—without paid marketing—demonstrating strong early traction and proof of concept in a niche market where community engagement is central to the travel experience.
The timing of the raise comes as Tunisia’s tourism sector rebounds and digital adoption accelerates across the region. According to Capmad, Tunisia’s tourism revenues grew by 7.8 percent in 2024, while Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in tourism through its Vision 2030 diversification strategy. WildyNess aims to position itself at this intersection—leveraging Tunisian authenticity and Saudi capital—to reshape how travellers experience the Arab world. Its expansion roadmap includes Algeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, all markets with rising demand for digital-first, sustainability-focused travel solutions.
For Tunisia’s startup ecosystem, WildyNess represents a milestone. Early-stage travel tech investments in the country typically average around US$100,000 in disclosed deals, yet the company’s traction and cross-regional participation point to a maturing environment for impact-driven innovation. With its new backing, WildyNess plans to strengthen its technology infrastructure, deepen its network of local partners and broaden its catalogue of sustainable, community-based travel experiences. Blending authenticity, empowerment and environmental responsibility, WildyNess is positioning itself as one of the MENA region’s emerging players redefining sustainable tourism through technology.
Tunisian travel-tech WildyNess secures funding following Sanabil Startup Unlocked Program