Pan-African Beauty Startup Zuri Lands First Major Tech Investment

Zuri, a Pan-African beauty startup, has achieved its first institutional tech investment from Launch Africa Ventures. 

Zuri’s Journey So Far

Founded in 2016 by Gisela Van Houcke, Zuri has evolved from Van Houcke selling products from her car to a tech-driven powerhouse. 

The startup distributes beauty products such as hair extensions and cosmetics while aiming to empower Black women entrepreneurs and customers.

Zuri offers a wide range of culturally relevant beauty products distributed through a hybrid model of physical salons, e-commerce, and social channels.

The company has also developed a software platform to deliver personalized experiences through the e-commerce app and physical stores.

Zuri has over 20,000 customers and a social media presence of over 500,000 followers.

Zuri’s Expansion

The beauty startup, already present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda, plans to expand into the European market, starting with France and Belgium. 

“With a seasoned industry veteran at the helm, Zuri demonstrates strong potential for growth, showcasing a proven product-market fit and capital-efficient operations,” said Launch Africa in a press release.

“This investment not only taps into the vast African beauty market but also provides diversification within our portfolio, bolstering our position in high-potential sectors while mitigating risk.”

The fund plans to support Zuri’s geographical and product expansion, enhance its technological strategy, and seek new partnerships.