Grace Ashiru
Kenyan creator-commerce platform HustleSasa has secured a new investment round led by impact investor Impacc, giving the Nairobi-based company additional backing as it expands services for creators, event organisers and entertainment businesses.
Impacc has taken an equity stake in HustleSasa and acted as lead investor in the financing while helping bring additional investors into the transaction.
The total amount raised has not been disclosed
Founded in 2021 by Peng Chen and Michael Denuh after participating in Antler’s Nairobi programme, HustleSasa began by addressing fragmented commercial infrastructure in Africa’s creator economy.
The founders observed that musicians, event organisers and other creators frequently relied on separate tools to market events, sell tickets, receive payments, distribute merchandise and manage customer relationships.
HustleSasa was designed to combine these activities within one platform.
The company provides digital storefronts that allow creators to sell directly to audiences while also offering ticketing, event-management, marketing and commerce tools.
Its activities have since expanded beyond individual creators into areas such as live entertainment and sports events.
HustleSasa says it now supports more than 4,000 customers across six countries.
The company has attracted several investors during its development.
Previous backers have included Antler, Musha Ventures, Microtraction and Best Nights VC.
Impacc brings a slightly different investment model.
The organisation focuses on African businesses capable of creating employment and measurable social impact and typically combines equity investment with practical company-building support.
For HustleSasa, the new round provides both capital and another strategic partner as the company attempts to build a wider operating system for Africa’s creator economy.
The opportunity extends beyond ticket sales.
Creators increasingly require integrated tools for payments, audience management, merchandising, marketing and business administration.
HustleSasa’s challenge will be turning its growing customer base and transaction volumes into sustainable recurring revenue while continuing to expand across markets with different payment infrastructure and entertainment industries.
If successful, the company could position itself not simply as a ticketing platform but as a broader commercial infrastructure provider for Africa’s growing creator economy.
