Founders52 ep 38 | Ben Peterson, founder Purple Elephant Ventures

Ben, a proud Canadian, husband, and father of two, currently resides and learns in Nairobi, Kenya. His career has been marked by diverse chapters, all united by his drive to build systems that encourage people to connect with individuals, places, and ideas beyond their comfort zones. Guided by the belief that the world is vast and humans are small, Ben’s ultimate goal is to leave the planet kinder and more understanding than when he first arrived.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ben earned a BA in Economics and a BAH in Political Studies from Queen's University, as well as an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Ben began his professional journey in September 2001 in Accra, Ghana, working for the Ghanaian Ministry of Justice. There, he contributed to the country’s reports to the UN on various international human rights treaties. This experience was pivotal in shaping his understanding of the world’s complexity and the biases we often carry.

In May 2002, Ben founded Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), an organization that grew to become Canada’s largest international media development organization. JHR empowers journalists worldwide to report effectively on human rights issues. Ben led the organization until October 2011 and remains deeply connected to its mission, now serving as Chair Emeritus of JHR's Board of Directors.

In early 2012, Ben founded Newsana Incorporated, a company that tackled one of the internet’s biggest challenges: filtering the vast sea of news to highlight the most important stories of the day.

In 2016, Ben moved to Nairobi to join AHL Venture Partners, an impact-focused venture capital firm. As head of AHL's Nairobi office, he worked closely with companies like M-Kopa and Ethiochicken, contributing to the success of Africa's early wave of start-ups while honing his investing expertise.

Since January 2020, Ben has been the Co-Founder and CEO of Purple Elephant Ventures, a company building a portfolio of start-ups aimed at making Africa’s tourism industry the largest and most dynamic in the world. By enhancing access to authentic on-the-ground experiences, Ben believes Purple Elephant Ventures helps reduce stereotypes and fosters a deeper understanding of a frequently misunderstood continent.

Throughout his career, Ben has been recognized for his impactful work. His accolades include Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award, the Action Canada Fellowship, the Queen’s University Alumni Humanitarian Award, and most recently, the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), one of Canada’s highest civilian honors.