Ampersand
Venture Round in 2024
Ampersand is a company based in Kigali, Rwanda, that specializes in the manufacture of affordable electric vehicles and charging systems tailored for the three million motorcycle taxi drivers in East Africa. The company aims to enhance mass-market electric mobility by providing a battery swap network and an operating system that facilitates sustainable transport solutions. By making electric mobility accessible and affordable, Ampersand not only improves the livelihoods of drivers but also contributes to environmental sustainability. As of January 2024, the company's customer base has expanded to 2,000 users, who collectively cover 1.5 million kilometers weekly in Nairobi and Kigali.
Ilara Health
Debt Financing in 2024
Ilara Health is a company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2018, that specializes in the development and distribution of AI-powered diagnostic devices aimed at primary care doctors in peri-urban and rural clinics. The company's innovative technology platform integrates miniature diagnostic devices with software that connects to an electronic medical record system, allowing healthcare providers to efficiently manage patient data. By focusing on accurate and affordable diagnostics, Ilara Health seeks to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality for rural populations in Africa, addressing the challenges posed by a fragmented healthcare infrastructure.
Ampersand
Venture Round in 2023
Ampersand is a company based in Kigali, Rwanda, that specializes in the manufacture of affordable electric vehicles and charging systems tailored for the three million motorcycle taxi drivers in East Africa. The company aims to enhance mass-market electric mobility by providing a battery swap network and an operating system that facilitates sustainable transport solutions. By making electric mobility accessible and affordable, Ampersand not only improves the livelihoods of drivers but also contributes to environmental sustainability. As of January 2024, the company's customer base has expanded to 2,000 users, who collectively cover 1.5 million kilometers weekly in Nairobi and Kigali.
Mr. Green Africa
Series B in 2022
Mr. Green Africa Ltd is a Nairobi-based plastic recycling company founded in 2014, focused on addressing waste management challenges in Kenya. The company operates by collecting and converting post-consumer plastic waste into recycled materials, including various grades of rHDPE, rPP, and rPET pellets. By integrating informal waste workers and micro-entrepreneurs into a formal value chain, Mr. Green Africa promotes a sustainable approach to waste management, emphasizing the value of waste as a resource. The company sells pre-processed recycling materials that are traceable for their social and environmental impact, aiming to change perceptions about waste and foster a culture of recycling. Through its innovative and technology-driven model, Mr. Green Africa seeks to help businesses minimize the environmental impact of their plastic packaging while creating economic value for local communities.
Redavia
Debt Financing in 2021
REDAVIA GmbH is a company based in Munich, Germany, that specializes in providing rental solar farms for businesses and communities in East and West Africa. The company offers a pre-configured solar power system, which includes high-performance solar generation and energy storage modules. This system is designed for easy shipping, setup, scaling, and redeployment, making it accessible for various sectors, including agro-food processing, mining, manufacturing, hospitality, real estate, utilities, and community services. REDAVIA's solutions provide a cost-effective, reliable, and clean energy alternative, allowing clients to benefit from solar power with minimal upfront investment and technical expertise.
SunCulture
Debt Financing in 2021
SunCulture, located in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in solar-powered drip irrigation systems designed to enhance agricultural productivity while promoting sustainability. The company offers the AgroSolar Irrigation Kit, which integrates solar water pumping technology with high-efficiency drip irrigation, providing farmers with a comprehensive solution to improve crop yields and reduce costs. This innovative kit not only supplies reliable access to water but also supports smallholder farmers by offering agronomic services, educational training, and access to financing and markets. SunCulture's unique approach positions it as a one-stop shop for Kenyan farmers, focusing on the quality of both its products and services, while also helping to minimize fertilizer waste through efficient application methods.
Twiga Foods
Debt Financing in 2019
Twiga Foods Ltd. is a mobile-based supply platform that caters to retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates a cashless, business-to-business supply chain that connects small and medium-sized vendors with essential agricultural products. Twiga Foods enables vendors to order a variety of supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform, streamlining the distribution process in urban markets. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also supports local businesses by improving access to quality produce.
Twiga Foods
Series A in 2017
Twiga Foods Ltd. is a mobile-based supply platform that caters to retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates a cashless, business-to-business supply chain that connects small and medium-sized vendors with essential agricultural products. Twiga Foods enables vendors to order a variety of supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform, streamlining the distribution process in urban markets. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also supports local businesses by improving access to quality produce.
Fenix International
Private Equity Round in 2012
Fenix International Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that designs and manufactures renewable energy products aimed at mobile telecommunications in emerging markets. Established in 2009, Fenix specializes in ultra-affordable solar solutions to empower over 1.3 billion people living off-grid. Its flagship product, the ReadySet, is an intelligent plug-and-play energy system capable of powering mobile phones, lights, water purifiers, and medical applications. The ReadySet utilizes a variety of energy sources, including solar, micro-wind, micro-hydro, and bicycle dynamos, and is complemented by a range of accessories such as mobile phone chargers and LED lights. Fenix markets its products through various channels, including service centers and shops in Uganda and Rwanda, as well as crowdfunding platforms in the United States. The company has garnered significant recognition and awards, highlighting its expertise in power electronics, product design, and marketing strategies tailored for underserved communities.