In a strategic move for the beauty industry, Zuri, the leading Black-owned Pan-African beauty company, has announced its first institutional tech investment from Launch Africa Ventures, a prominent Pan-African early-stage fund. This significant milestone comes as a result of Zuri’s impressive growth, driven by a powerful vision and dedicated leadership.
Zuri, founded in 2016 by Gisela Van Houcke, has evolved from selling hair extensions and beauty products from her father’s car in Kinshasa to becoming a pan-African tech-driven powerhouse with manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The company now boasts over 20,000 loyal customers, a team of 60 passionate employees, more than 500,000 engaged social media followers, and a multi-million dollar revenue stream.
Gisela’s journey serves as an inspiration, showcasing the immense potential within the Black beauty market, fueled by a young and growing consumer base seeking authenticity and an African aesthetic.
Launch Africa Ventures recognizes the tremendous potential within the growing beautytech industry in Africa and views Zuri as an attractive opportunity. Hannah Subayi Kamuanga, Partner at Launch Africa Ventures, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Gisela’s vision and execution are truly inspiring, and we are proud to continue to back underrepresented founders in underserved markets in Africa featuring robust business fundamentals.”
Beyond offering quality hair products, Zuri is bringing cutting-edge technology to African hair salons and stakeholders. This includes revolutionizing performance management, inventory tracking, customer relationships, data collection & analysis, and overall service delivery. This data-driven approach ensures a seamless experience for clients across all touchpoints, from social media interactions to in-hairbar treatments or online shopping.
Gisela Van Houcke emphasized, “Zuri is more than just a beauty brand — it’s a catalyst for empowerment, elegance, confidence, and technology.” The funding from Launch Africa Ventures will enable Zuri to expand its reach, remain tech-savvy, impact more lives, and become a truly global force.
Zuri welcomes additional strategic investors who share their vision of revolutionizing the beauty landscape and empowering women entrepreneurs. The ongoing Series A round aims to fuel expansion across Africa and Europe, solidify market leadership, and continue to inspire and empower women worldwide.
Zuri’s mission is to redefine beauty standards and empower women to embrace their individuality. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to help women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. Committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse beauty industry, Zuri believes that every woman deserves to feel beautiful, regardless of her race, ethnicity, age, or size. With the support of Launch Africa Ventures, Zuri is poised to revolutionize the industry, celebrating diversity and democratizing access to exceptional beauty experiences on a global scale.