Factor[e] Ventures

Factor[e] Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on early and seed-stage investments in emerging markets, particularly in East Africa and India. Founded in 2003 and based in Fort Collins, Colorado, with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, the firm specializes in funding disruptive technologies within sectors such as energy, agriculture, mobility, and waste management. Factor[e] Ventures typically invests between $250,000 and $750,000 in equity, aiming to support innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development. The firm acts as a bridge between philanthropic and commercial investors, fostering market-driven approaches to address global challenges in these critical areas.

Jamie Doyen

Director of Finance

23 past transactions

SunFi

Seed Round in 2023
SunFi tech solution help people access solar energy with installation and payment plans.

Beacon Power Services

Seed Round in 2022
Beacon Power Services is a company based in Lagos, Nigeria, specializing in energy management solutions for commercial and industrial facilities. Founded in 2013, the company develops comprehensive power generation and management plans by utilizing real-time electricity usage data. This approach allows for optimal generator sizing, peak shaving, and the implementation of automation and appliance upgrades. Additionally, Beacon Power Services focuses on electrical redesign, process management, and the installation of renewable energy sources, particularly solar projects, to enhance energy efficiency and reduce costs. The company's software also monitors diesel generator performance, helping clients eliminate diesel pilferage and further decrease energy expenses.

Roam

Seed Round in 2021
Opibus is an e-mobility manufacturing and development company aiming on accelerating a transition to sustainable mobility in emerging markets. The company has headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden and Nairobi, Kenya with a team of >65 persons. The products developed cover proprietary EV powertrains (i.e. conversion systems), electric motorcycles, various types of power generation systems and charging infrastructure. Products have been manufactured and deployed in all customer segments since 2017 in various markets.

Otipy

Series A in 2021
Otipy is an emerging Indian startup and the social commerce venture of farm-to-fork agri-tech startup Crofarm. The platform aims to connect farmers directly to their customers through online channels and vice versa. The goal of the platform is to provide fresh produce directly from the farm, using something called demand harvesting. By using AI-based demand prediction tools, the platform collects historical data to predict the demand for products. This is then used to procure just the right amount of produce, facilitating on-demand harvesting, and thereby ensuring delivery of fresh produce on the same day. Moreover, this also precludes the wastage of food items.

60Hertz Energy

Series A in 2021
60Hertz provides a Maintenance Management Software platform designed specifically for people managing remote energy assets such as microgrids.

SENTRY

Seed Round in 2021
SENTRY is a Canada-based company serving a global customer base with its biological monitoring platform designed to provide real-time insights to operators enabling them to optimize water and wastewater treatments.

Betteries

Seed Round in 2021
Betteries is a company that specializes in providing mobile and affordable power solutions through its multipurpose power systems. Each system can store between 3 kWh and 12 kWh of energy and is designed for fast charging, delivering up to 5 kW of both DC and AC power. The modular configuration of Betteries systems allows for horizontal or vertical stacking, and they can be charged using various energy sources. Equipped with smart electronics, including Wi-Fi and GPS, these systems can be remotely monitored and controlled via an IoT platform. Betteries is committed to sustainability, offering battery-as-a-service solutions that focus on recycling and reducing costs for customers. Their products cater to diverse applications such as e-mobility, off-grid productive use, and on-grid backup power, while adhering to circular economy principles.

S4S Technologies

Venture Round in 2020
S4S Technologies Private Limited, founded in 2008 and based in Mumbai, India, specializes in designing and manufacturing food processing machines, such as dehydrators and freeze dryers. The company's product lineup includes the Solar Conduction Dryer, HaldiTech, SmartDry, FrostDry, and Solar Grain and Seed Dryer, which are utilized to produce a variety of processed food items, including dehydrated vegetables, fruit candies, and powders. S4S Technologies also offers private labeling and contract processing services, catering to the needs of farmers and food companies. By leveraging technology and collaborating with partner organizations, S4S aims to create a sustainable supply chain for high-quality processed food products.

Clean Crop Technologies

Seed Round in 2020
Clean Crop Technologies, Inc. develops a food processing technology for reducing molds, toxins, and pests from grain and nuts. Its food processing technology combines air and electricity to create ionized gases which Removes toxins from grains and nuts without harming food quality; removes molds and pests; and extends shelf-life for perishable foods. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is based in Haydenville, Massachusetts.

60Hertz Energy

Seed Round in 2020
60Hertz provides a Maintenance Management Software platform designed specifically for people managing remote energy assets such as microgrids.

Redavia

Venture Round in 2019
REDAVIA GmbH offers rental solar farms for businesses and communities in East and West Africa. The company offers solar generation modules and energy storage modules. It serves various markets, including agro-foods processing, mining and minerals, manufacturing, hospitality and real estate, service infrastructure, utilities, and communities. The company is based in Munich, Germany.

Ampersand

Convertible Note in 2019
We catalyze and power mass market electric mobility. By supplying the battery swap network and operating system we make sustainable mobility rapidly accessible and affordable for developing markets, to improve livelihoods and the environment. With over a million km already covered by e-motorcycles in Africa using our plug & play powertrain and energy network, we are Africa's leading light e-mobility startup.

Ferntech

Seed Round in 2019
Ferntech GMBH designs and manufactures micro grid monitoring and control system. The company’s product is Universal Monitoring and Control (UMC) solution, which enables interconnectivity of all components, a cloud server, and a software platform. It serves system operators who use it for analytics and remote control. Ferntech GMBH was formerly known as Infinite Fingers GmbH. Ferntech GMBH was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Crailsheim, Germany.

Crofarm

Seed Round in 2019
Crofarm aims to make a supply chain that supports farmers and provides businesses with freshest produce in the most efficient manner. At Crofarm, one gets a hands on learning experience and skill development at a place which boasts itself for a perfect blend of state of art technology and actual field work dedicated to the uplifting of Indian farmers at an immediate level and society from a broader perspective.

S4S Technologies

Seed Round in 2018
S4S Technologies Private Limited, founded in 2008 and based in Mumbai, India, specializes in designing and manufacturing food processing machines, such as dehydrators and freeze dryers. The company's product lineup includes the Solar Conduction Dryer, HaldiTech, SmartDry, FrostDry, and Solar Grain and Seed Dryer, which are utilized to produce a variety of processed food items, including dehydrated vegetables, fruit candies, and powders. S4S Technologies also offers private labeling and contract processing services, catering to the needs of farmers and food companies. By leveraging technology and collaborating with partner organizations, S4S aims to create a sustainable supply chain for high-quality processed food products.

Ampersand

Seed Round in 2018
We catalyze and power mass market electric mobility. By supplying the battery swap network and operating system we make sustainable mobility rapidly accessible and affordable for developing markets, to improve livelihoods and the environment. With over a million km already covered by e-motorcycles in Africa using our plug & play powertrain and energy network, we are Africa's leading light e-mobility startup.

Crofarm

Seed Round in 2017
Crofarm aims to make a supply chain that supports farmers and provides businesses with freshest produce in the most efficient manner. At Crofarm, one gets a hands on learning experience and skill development at a place which boasts itself for a perfect blend of state of art technology and actual field work dedicated to the uplifting of Indian farmers at an immediate level and society from a broader perspective.

Inspirafarms

Series A in 2017
Inspirafarms is a London-based company that specializes in manufacturing solar-powered, modular technologies for food processing and cold storage. Founded in 2012, it provides off-grid cold storage units, food processing plants, and dairy chilling machines, catering primarily to small and medium-sized agribusinesses in Central America and East Africa. The company focuses on reducing perishable food losses and operational costs in the horticultural sector by offering affordable, turnkey solutions that meet global food safety standards. Inspirafarms also supplies essential accessories and systems, including Good Agricultural Practice certified modules, renewable energy solutions, and data monitoring systems, which support post-harvest value addition processes. With additional offices in Kenya, Southern Africa, and Guatemala, Inspirafarms aims to enhance the efficiency of agricultural value chains and promote the supply of healthy, nutritious food to both local and international markets.

HOMER Energy

Seed Round in 2016
HOMER Energy LLC specializes in hybrid power system optimization software, providing tools such as HOMER Pro for microgrid design and HOMER Grid for optimizing solar-plus-storage and hybrid distributed generation systems. The company's offerings include HOMER QuickGrid, a web application that assists businesses in reducing energy costs, and HOMER QuickStart, which focuses on microgrid and distributed generation optimization. Additionally, HOMER provides a Software as a Service (SaaS) API for customized application development and offers training, consulting, and analytic services. Founded in 2009 and based in Boulder, Colorado, HOMER Energy serves a diverse clientele, including industries, governments, and researchers, enabling them to analyze and optimize hybrid power systems that integrate various energy sources like solar, wind, and conventional generators. The software is widely used globally, assisting users in assessing the economic feasibility of their energy projects and mitigating financial risks associated with hybrid power initiatives. As of December 2019, HOMER Energy operates as a subsidiary of AWS Truepower, LLC.

Apollo Agriculture

Seed Round in 2016
Apollo Agriculture, founded in 2015 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, focuses on providing financial and technical support to smallholder farmers in emerging markets. The company offers farming loans to help farmers purchase essential inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, and crop insurance, along with access to expert consultations via mobile technology. By utilizing agronomic machine learning and remote sensing, Apollo tailors its services to individual farmers, assessing credit risk and customizing packages based on satellite and soil data, as well as crop yield models. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of farming practices but also aims to significantly increase yields and profits for farmers.

Ampersand

Convertible Note in 2016
We catalyze and power mass market electric mobility. By supplying the battery swap network and operating system we make sustainable mobility rapidly accessible and affordable for developing markets, to improve livelihoods and the environment. With over a million km already covered by e-motorcycles in Africa using our plug & play powertrain and energy network, we are Africa's leading light e-mobility startup.

Sistema.bio

Seed Round in 2015
Sistema.bio is a hybrid reactor biodigester that transforms the manure of animals into biogas and a potent, natural fertilizer. By inputting the manure in the system on a daily basis, you will be able to develop and grow your activities on the farm, improve your energy security, and protect the environment. Transforming your animals’ manure into resource will provide you with a better quality of life!

SparkMeter

Seed Round in 2014
SparkMeter, Inc. specializes in developing electricity metering systems tailored for rural and central utilities in developing markets. The company offers a range of products, including the SM16R for residential customers, the SM60R for larger residential needs, the SM60RP for medium commercial or industrial clients, and the SM200E for post-paid metering of large customers. In addition to hardware, SparkMeter provides software solutions designed to improve grid efficiency and asset performance for microgrids and distribution utilities in remote areas. Their offerings facilitate prepaid billing, enhance customer communication, and enable remote monitoring and control. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, SparkMeter aims to increase access to electricity in underserved markets and hard-to-reach locations.