Investment & Fund Management

Founded by Nora Witt and Tatjana Jessica Spähn, Mingle Africa is a sustainable travel agency based in Germany, aiming to become the first tour operator specializing in fair and sustainable study tours in sub-Saharan Africa. The founders, both with academic backgrounds in African Development Studies and Sustainable Tourism Management, sought to change the perception of Africa as a travel destination, moving away from stereotypical representations to a more authentic portrayal of its cultures.

The company faced the challenge of securing funding to launch their business. After participating in the 'Businessplan-Wettbewerb Berlin-Brandenburg', a regional competition for business start-ups, they were approached by a bank offering an EU-guaranteed loan. This opportunity was facilitated by the Investment Plan for Europe, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises. The loan, backed by the German KfW Banking Group and the European Investment Fund (EIF), enabled them to cover initial company costs.

With the funding, Mingle Africa was able to organize their first trips and develop a marketing strategy over the course of a year and a half. By October 2016, they had established a dedicated website and were on the verge of entering the market, demonstrating the effectiveness of the financial support in turning their business idea into reality.