Ground Squirrel Ventures

Ground Squirrel Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm focuses on investing in companies and funds that aim to address climate change challenges both domestically and internationally, particularly in frontier markets. Its investment strategy primarily targets opportunities in Africa, while also extending to regions such as Haiti, Asia, and Latin America. Ground Squirrel Ventures is committed to supporting initiatives that promote clean energy and sustainable practices to foster a positive environmental impact.

Eric Klose

Founder and Managing Partner

Jeffery Moy

Managing Director

60 past transactions

Untapped

Seed Round in 2023
Untapped Global is a company focused on transforming the investment landscape by providing data-driven opportunities for global investors in emerging markets. The company operates an innovative asset financing investment platform that connects investors with high-growth businesses, facilitating the discovery and investment in profitable startups. Untapped Global enhances transparency and reduces risk by offering real-time tracking of asset usage and revenue streams, thereby informing investors about potential returns. With a presence in San Francisco, Brussels, and various locations across Africa, the company is dedicated to fostering economic prosperity by unlocking investment opportunities where they are most needed.

Necessary Ventures

Venture Round in 2023
Necessary Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in providing growth capital to early-stage companies across various sectors, including healthcare, climate, education, fintech, food, and agriculture. Necessary Ventures aims to invest in businesses that address critical global needs, partnering closely with founders to develop scalable solutions. The firm predominantly focuses on pre-seed investments but also participates as a non-lead investor across seed to pre-IPO stages.

MindMics

Venture Round in 2023
MindMics is an innovative company specializing in wearable technology that enhances personal health monitoring through sound-based platforms. By integrating advanced sound technology into earbuds and hearing aids, MindMics accurately measures vital health metrics, including heartbeat, circadian rhythms, breathing, and body temperature. This real-time data collection allows users to gain meaningful insights into their bodily functions, ultimately promoting improved well-being and mental performance. By providing accessible health monitoring solutions, MindMics aims to empower individuals to enhance their focus, satisfaction, and overall mental peace.

Africa Eats

Seed Round in 2022
Africa Eats is a pan-African holding company established in 2020 and headquartered in Bainbridge Island, Washington. The company focuses on high-growth food and agriculture enterprises across the African continent. By targeting native businesses within these sectors, Africa Eats aims to foster sustainable development and contribute to the growth of local economies.

Appload

Venture Round in 2022
Appload is a technology company that specializes in providing online solutions for logistics services. They operate a platform that connects logistics companies with customers who need cargo transport, facilitating secure scheduling and electronic payment systems. The app also offers the ability to secure shipments through industry partnerships. Appload serves the B2B sector within transportation and logistics technology, focusing on creating an efficient, transparent supply chain system for clients. Additionally, they provide customer services to support their platform's users.

Wunder

Venture Round in 2022
Wunder is a company based in Boulder, Colorado, specializing in financing and developing large-scale solar projects across the United States. Established in 2013, Wunder provides construction and term financing for various commercial solar initiatives, including power purchase agreements, feed-in tariffs, and community solar developments. The company collaborates with solar organizations and financial institutions to facilitate the creation of solar projects for businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, and communities. Additionally, Wunder operates solar investment funds that connect individual and institutional investors with solar projects, leveraging proprietary software to conduct thorough project evaluations. This approach enables accredited investors to build diversified solar portfolios, traditionally accessible only to larger entities.

Fortis Green Renewables Investment Management

Seed Round in 2022
Fortis Green Renewables Investment Management provides flexible capital to renewable energy assets in Sub-Saharan Africa. The management team has extensive African investment experience: $14 billion across 20 African countries. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Kigali, Africa.

Desert Bloom

Venture Round in 2022
Desert Bloom is a venture capital firm founded in 2019, with a focus on supporting innovative businesses within the food and beverage industry. Based in New York, it provides consultation services aimed at fostering growth and development in this sector. The firm is dedicated to identifying promising opportunities and assisting companies in navigating the complexities of the food industry, thereby contributing to their success and sustainability.

RaliCap

Seed Round in 2022
Rally Cap is a global community of tech folks investing in an exclusive portfolio of top-tier early stage venture funds in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Sherpa Africa Partners

Seed Round in 2022
Sherpa Africa Partners focuses on early stage tech and tech-enabled startups in Africa providing funding and expertise to scale up business.

Atmos Financial

Seed Round in 2021
Atmos Financial is a startup focused on providing banking services, accepting deposits and extending loans specifically to sectors committed to supporting a clean energy transition. Their mission is to facilitate the shift towards a sustainable economy by enabling depositors to actively contribute to environmental preservation through their financial choices.

Farmstead

Series B in 2021
Farmstead is an innovative online grocery delivery service that utilizes artificial intelligence to streamline the process of delivering fresh and local food directly to consumers. The company offers a personalized Smart Shopping List feature, which assists users in discovering new recipes and efficiently purchasing their preferred groceries. By employing AI-driven predictive analytics, Farmstead optimizes demand and supply, ensuring that customers receive fresh products conveniently. This approach not only saves users time but also reduces food waste and promotes healthier eating habits, as the company's supply chain emphasizes fresher options compared to traditional supermarket offerings.

Farmland LP

Series B in 2021
Farmland L.P. is a private equity firm focused on transforming conventional farmland into certified organic and sustainably managed agricultural land. Founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Monmouth, Oregon, the firm emphasizes enhancing soil fertility and productivity through science-based practices, including livestock and crop rotations. Currently, Farmland L.P. manages 6,750 acres of farmland in the San Francisco Bay Area and Oregon's Willamette Valley, with over 10% of its acreage certified organic and the remainder in transition. The firm’s approach aims to create a new model for farmland ownership and management, benefiting farmers, investors, the environment, and consumers alike. By demonstrating that sustainable agriculture can be more profitable than traditional commodity farming, Farmland L.P. offers investors a secure stake in the growing organic food markets.

Sunwealth

Venture Round in 2021
Sunwealth Power is an innovative clean energy firm focused on advancing commercial solar energy investments. The company utilizes a proprietary methodology to identify high-performing, impactful solar projects, enabling businesses, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to achieve substantial financial returns while accessing efficient solar power. By leveraging its extensive investment experience and deep understanding of the solar market, Sunwealth has developed a diversified portfolio of commercial solar assets. This strategic approach allows the firm to scale solar investments rapidly, providing investors with the opportunity to contribute to the clean energy sector while generating meaningful returns.

Money254

Venture Round in 2021
Money254 is an integrated financial services marketplace that operates a loan comparison platform designed to enhance transparency and accessibility in financial decision-making. It aggregates and reviews a wide range of financial and insurance products from established institutions, allowing users in Kenya to efficiently search and compare these offerings. By centralizing financial and insurance services into one database, Money254 aims to simplify the process for customers, facilitating informed choices in a fast and transparent manner.

Twende

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Twende is a technology-driven company that specializes in carpooling solutions, connecting drivers with available seats to travelers heading in the same direction. Its software platform allows users to search for transportation options, offer rides, accept booking requests, and process payments, facilitating a seamless travel experience. By providing a unified and transparent service, Twende aims to enhance mobility for its customers while promoting cost-effective travel solutions.

Terraformation

Seed Round in 2021
Terraformation wants to solve climate change.

MCJ

Seed Round in 2021
MCJ is a venture capital firm that invests in startups driving the transition of energy and industry towards cleaner, more profitable, and resilient solutions. They back extraordinary founders tackling climate change impacts and connect them with a network of tech and industrial leaders through the MCJ Collective. Additionally, MCJ operates a media platform, including the Inevitable podcast, to spotlight key perspectives in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Catalyst Opportunity Funds

Venture Round in 2021
Catalyst Opportunity Funds is a real estate investment firm established in 2019 and located in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. The firm specializes in double bottom-line investments within Opportunity Zones, specifically targeting smaller to mid-sized markets that have historically been underserved. Catalyst identifies communities with significant human and physical resources that exhibit growth potential yet suffer from chronic underinvestment. By focusing on these areas, the firm aims to redevelop the built environment, create local job opportunities, and attract additional resources through collaboration with public, philanthropic, and non-profit partners. Through its investments, Catalyst seeks to foster sustainable prosperity while delivering compelling financial returns.

Oze

Seed Round in 2020
Oze is a technology company focused on bringing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa into the digital age. It offers an application that allows businesses to easily track sales, expenses, and customer information. By analyzing this data, Oze provides tailored recommendations and business education to help entrepreneurs improve their operations. The platform also connects users with Oze Coaches for additional support, enhancing their learning experience. With over 150,000 registered users, Oze claims to be the largest online community of SMEs in West Africa. The company leverages machine learning to assess credit risk, enabling it to offer affordable capital through banking partners. Notably, 97% of businesses that have utilized Oze for at least nine months report growth or profitability, indicating the effectiveness of its services in fostering business success.

4G Capital

Debt Financing in 2020
4G Capital is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2013, dedicated to providing unsecured credit to small business owners in Africa's informal markets. Focused on supporting micro-enterprises, particularly in low-income sectors, the company offers working capital loans alongside bespoke financial literacy training. Utilizing proprietary machine learning technology, 4G Capital delivers tailored credit products and services to clients, enabling them to leverage micro-loans effectively for sustainable business growth. Loans can be accessed rapidly through mobile money, ensuring a streamlined experience for entrepreneurs who often lack traditional forms of credit due to high collateral demands. With a significant emphasis on supporting female traders, rural businesses, and micro-entrepreneurs in various sectors—including agriculture and trade—4G Capital aims to close the substantial finance gap across Africa. The company has achieved impressive collection rates and has expanded its impact to over one million individuals through ongoing operations in Kenya and Uganda, while continuing to scale its services across the continent.

Dr CADx

Seed Round in 2020
Dr CADx is an artificial intelligence-based healthcare company founded in 2016 and based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The company specializes in developing a platform that utilizes deep learning algorithms to enhance the accuracy of medical image diagnosis. By employing advanced computer-aided diagnostic systems, Dr CADx assists healthcare professionals in interpreting medical images and recognizing disease patterns more effectively. This innovative approach aims to improve diagnostic precision while reducing costs, ultimately supporting better patient care.

Carry1st

Seed Round in 2020
Carry1st is a mobile games publisher focused on social games and interactive content, specifically targeting frontier markets such as Africa. Founded in 2018 by Cordel Robbin-Coker, Lucy Hoffman, and Tino Mundangepfupfu, the company employs a diverse team of 29 professionals across 14 countries, many of whom have backgrounds in notable firms like Carlyle and Rovio. Carry1st offers comprehensive services that include publishing, distribution, localization, user acquisition, marketing, customer experience, and monetization, allowing game developers to connect with global content owners and tap into emerging markets. The company has successfully raised over $10 million in funding, including a significant Series A investment, which it plans to utilize for scaling its portfolio, forming new partnerships with global gaming studios, and expanding its workforce.

GET IT Rwanda

Series A in 2020
GET IT is providing produce and dry goods delivery services, including cold storage, beginning with hotels and restaurants. Through its focus on systems, training and superior execution, GET IT seeks to solve the deficiency of cold storage and logistics services in Rwanda and beyond. The company sources produce directly from farmers, cutting out several middlemen who add little value, providing higher quality products at lower cost. GET IT is also introducing new, high demand products to the East African market.

Brio

Venture Round in 2020
Brio Systems, Inc., established in 2017 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in COVID-19 testing solutions for workplaces. Its comprehensive platform offers on-site PCR and antibody testing, logistical support, medical oversight, and digital results communication within three days. Brio connects labs and medical suppliers with employers, serving industries such as manufacturing and food processing. The company's turnkey solution includes laboratory testing, collection kit fulfillment, test requisitioning, medical supervision, and digital reporting, supporting up to 50,000 tests daily. Brio's platform ensures data security through SMS authentication, enabling employers to make informed, data-driven decisions to protect their workforce.

4G Capital

Series B in 2020
4G Capital is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2013, dedicated to providing unsecured credit to small business owners in Africa's informal markets. Focused on supporting micro-enterprises, particularly in low-income sectors, the company offers working capital loans alongside bespoke financial literacy training. Utilizing proprietary machine learning technology, 4G Capital delivers tailored credit products and services to clients, enabling them to leverage micro-loans effectively for sustainable business growth. Loans can be accessed rapidly through mobile money, ensuring a streamlined experience for entrepreneurs who often lack traditional forms of credit due to high collateral demands. With a significant emphasis on supporting female traders, rural businesses, and micro-entrepreneurs in various sectors—including agriculture and trade—4G Capital aims to close the substantial finance gap across Africa. The company has achieved impressive collection rates and has expanded its impact to over one million individuals through ongoing operations in Kenya and Uganda, while continuing to scale its services across the continent.

SFR3

Seed Round in 2020
SFR3 is a real estate agency focused on acquiring, renovating, and renting single-family homes. The company identifies properties that require renovation and transforms them into affordable rental units, aiming to make housing more accessible. Through its platform, SFR3 facilitates the connection between individuals seeking affordable housing and the renovated properties, streamlining the process of finding suitable homes for potential renters.

Sigora Solar

Venture Round in 2020
Sigora Home is a prominent solar company focused on delivering innovative solar and energy efficiency solutions. The company manufactures solar panels that are designed to provide access to clean and reliable energy at an equitable price. Its offerings include photovoltaic panels that generate electricity from sunlight and systems that supply heat and hot water for domestic or commercial use. In addition to manufacturing, Sigora Home specializes in the installation of solar panels for residential, commercial, and community applications, enabling users to harness solar energy effectively.

Linger

Seed Round in 2020
Linger provides home textiles directly to the consumer. They partner with factories around the world to craft inspirational designs through a transparent and sustainable supply chain.

MyPerfectStitch

Venture Round in 2019
MyPerfectStitch manufactures an array of stylish and desirable boutique items that embraces Zambian fashion and modern needs.

Kakbima

Seed Round in 2019
Kakbima Ltd. is an insurtech company based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2017. It offers a software-as-a-service platform designed to revolutionize the insurance landscape by connecting insurers, distribution partners, and customers. The platform facilitates the management and distribution of insurance and micro-insurance products, allowing individuals, agents, brokers, and micro-insurers to access and manage policies, claims, and premiums digitally. Kakbima's solution simplifies the insurance process by breaking down functions into individual services, enabling seamless deployment and maintenance. This innovative approach not only supports the development of flexible insurance products but also accelerates growth for existing businesses and enhances global consumer coverage. The company's goal is to make insurance accessible to anyone with internet access, thereby transforming how insurance is bought, managed, and sold.

Gladefinance

Pre Seed Round in 2019
GladeFinance is a company focused on accelerating the growth of merchants and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing digital financial solutions aimed at fostering financial inclusion. It has developed a payment platform that facilitates seamless and secure transactions between customers and businesses. This platform offers a robust financial technology infrastructure designed to enhance secure transaction processing across Africa, enabling businesses to access hassle-free digital payment services. By prioritizing security and efficiency, GladeFinance supports the digital transformation of commerce in the region.

Akido Labs

Series A in 2019
Akido Labs, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based company founded in 2014 that develops and operates a data management and care delivery platform tailored for healthcare organizations. The platform seamlessly integrates with hospital health record systems, facilitating HL7 integration, ETL processes, and lab systems while offering API documentation and client support services. Akido aims to address the complex needs of vulnerable populations by leveraging modern technology and proprietary datasets that have been historically inaccessible in public health ecosystems. The company's innovative solutions are designed to enhance the quality of life and affordability of care for underserved communities. Its technology has gained traction nationwide, assisting health systems and government service providers in launching public health initiatives to combat crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and homelessness. Akido Labs prioritizes data security while driving transformational change in healthcare delivery.

Copia

Seed Round in 2019
Copia PBC operates an innovative online platform that connects businesses with surplus food to individuals and organizations in need. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, the company addresses food waste by matching donors, such as restaurants, markets, and caterers, with local shelters, food banks, and human service organizations in real time. The platform facilitates the efficient donation of prepared and perishable food, allowing businesses to request pickups and ensure timely delivery to those who require assistance. By utilizing data and analytics, Copia helps its partners reduce food waste, achieve tax benefits, and contribute to environmental sustainability through decreased carbon emissions. The company's services are available in various cities, including Mountain View, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Oakland, effectively tackling the logistical challenges associated with food distribution.

Trove

Seed Round in 2019
Trove Technologies Limited operates an online platform designed to facilitate investment in a range of securities, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cryptocurrencies. Based in Lekki, Nigeria, Trove aims to simplify the investment process for beginners by providing an accessible application that allows users to easily find and select investment opportunities. The platform features a user-friendly KYC process, brokerage services, and a personalized news feed related to the assets traded. Trove enables investors to participate in both local and international markets, offering access to Nigerian stocks, government bonds, and a selection of cryptocurrency assets. Through its seamless approach to micro-investing, Trove empowers users to engage with the financial markets with ease.

Bluefield

Seed Round in 2019
Bluefield Technologies Inc. is a technology company based in Palo Alto, California, established in 2017, that specializes in developing microsatellite sensors for monitoring methane emissions. The company offers advanced remote sensing technology that utilizes artificial intelligence imaging and analysis to deliver precise, continuous detection of methane leaks. Bluefield's platform enables users, including those in the oil and gas sector, as well as regulatory and environmental organizations, to track emissions and monitor climate change effectively. Its innovative approach involves using compact, backpack-sized satellites to capture comprehensive data on methane emissions globally, providing critical alerts and analytics to assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Community Investment Management

Venture Round in 2019
Community Investment Management LLC is a principal investment firm based in San Francisco, California, specializing in financing small businesses in the United States. Established in 2012, the firm focuses on marketplace lending and works in partnership with technology-driven lenders to provide responsible and transparent financing solutions. Community Investment Management aims to support innovative fintech through bankruptcy-remote debt financing, ultimately benefiting small businesses and underserved borrowers. The firm's investment strategy involves creating a diversified short-duration portfolio of marketplace loans originated by financial technology companies, aligning the interests of small business borrowers with those of investors.

10Power

Seed Round in 2019
10Power is a social enterprise focused on developing and financing commercial-scale solar projects, primarily targeting communities that lack access to electricity. By providing renewable energy solutions, the company aims to address critical issues such as clean water access, gender empowerment, livelihood improvement, education, and technology advancement. Through its financial platform, 10Power enables clients to implement sustainable innovations that foster regenerative international development, thereby reinvesting its revenue to enhance its social impact.

Kwara

Seed Round in 2019
Kwara GmbH is a technology company that specializes in developing a digital banking platform tailored for savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs). Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, Kwara aims to modernize credit unions by providing a comprehensive cloud-based solution. The platform facilitates loan application servicing and approval for members, while also offering integration services, customer support, real-time financial tracking, and compliance assistance. Kwara's offerings include Kwara Pronto, a tool for managing loans. Currently, the company serves over 200 SACCOs across Kenya, South Africa, and the Philippines, enabling these financial institutions to enhance their operations and improve access to formal financial services.

Virunga Power

Series A in 2018
Virunga Power is an electric utility company that develops, invests, and operates of renewable power projects and rural distribution grids. Their focus is on megawatt-scale rural utility projects across several countries in East Africa and beyond with a goal of bringing high-quality, low-cost power to rural communities that currently lack reliable access to modern energy. They engage local and regional stakeholders to tailor renewable power solutions to match local needs and resources. The company's mission is to build the leading rural utility company in sub-Saharan Africa and to continuously strive to bring the full benefits of electrification to new rural communities and consumers in a sustainable manner. It provides clean electricity to communities living in and around Virunga National Park in North Kivu, Eastern Congo.

Majika

Venture Round in 2018
Majika offers solutions to enable rural communities to access to electricity.

Etho Capital

Seed Round in 2018
Etho Capital is a company focused on aligning investment strategies with the values of its clients while aiming to enhance financial returns and reduce risks. Established by co-founders Conor Platt and Ian Monroe, the firm developed an investment strategy management platform that allows investors to synchronize their portfolios with their personal values, particularly in the context of environmental, social, and governance sustainability. Etho Capital's approach is grounded in a public equity index that emphasizes efficiency, innovation, and diversification, thereby providing investors with access to effective investment management services that reflect their ethical considerations.

Goat 'n Chips

Seed Round in 2018
Goat 'n Chips offers a wide variety of freshly prepared and delicious food

Democracy Brewing

Seed Round in 2018
Democracy Brewing is a worker-owned cooperative brewery and pub dedicated to producing quality beers while fostering community engagement. It operates a traditional public house that combines the warmth of a neighborhood gathering place with the ambiance of an old-world beer hall. The establishment offers a diverse selection of beers, complemented by food, live music, and movie screenings, all aimed at providing an enjoyable and accessible experience for its patrons. Through its commitment to both craft brewing and community support, Democracy Brewing emphasizes a collaborative and inclusive approach to its operations.

Global Student Embassy

Seed Round in 2018
Global Student Embassy (GSE) develops community leaders through action oriented environmental education.

Betaksys Systeme

Seed Round in 2018
DO4Africa operates a collaborative platform focused on identifying and listing digital projects across Africa. The company specializes in the aggregation and dissemination of up-to-date data on technical and social innovations. By promoting open datasets, DO4Africa aims to facilitate the sharing of information, thereby enabling businesses to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. Through its platform, it seeks to enhance visibility and collaboration among stakeholders involved in digital development, ultimately contributing to the growth of the digital economy in the region.

Versara Finance

Seed Round in 2018
Versara is a provider of small loans and advances to individuals and small businesses. Using mobile technology and a wide distribution network, Versara promises a fast and convenient process for accessing loans and cash advances. Versara gives you a peace of mind, knowing that you can get cash anytime you need it for Emergencies, Unplanned and Unexpected events, or for taking advantage of an opportunity that comes your way.

CleanCapital

Venture Round in 2018
CleanCapital is a financial technology company focused on facilitating investments in clean energy. It provides a platform that enables accredited investors, including institutional investors and family offices, to invest in a range of secure and diversified clean energy projects. The company specializes in identifying, conducting due diligence, and managing these projects, which supports its commitment to addressing the climate crisis. Investors benefit from real-time monitoring of their investments through CleanCapital's user-friendly online interface.

Outsource Now

Seed Round in 2018
Outsource Now helps businesses and NGOs manage their technology needs by providing business management software and IT support.

ZPOS

Seed Round in 2018
ZPOS is a technology company that specializes in developing business management systems, primarily focused on point-of-sale software. The company provides a comprehensive suite of tools that includes inventory management, credit customer tracking, discount offerings, and the capability to add new stock. Additionally, ZPOS enables users to save transactions for later processing, enhancing operational efficiency. Beyond its software solutions, ZPOS also offers IT-related consulting services, aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises and non-governmental organizations optimize their performance and profitability.

SunFunder

Series B in 2018
SunFunder Inc. is a solar energy finance company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in providing various forms of financing to solar energy enterprises, particularly in emerging markets. Founded in 2012, the company offers short-term working capital, inventory, construction, and structured finance loans to solar product distributors, manufacturers, and project developers primarily in East and West Africa, as well as Asia. SunFunder's mission is to catalyze the development of solar energy infrastructure by leveraging its expertise in the solar market and facilitating efficient due diligence processes. By acting as a financial intermediary, SunFunder enables investors to engage in high-impact, fixed-income debt offerings that support the growth of solar assets in regions with inadequate energy access.

Musanga

Seed Round in 2018
Musanga is a logistics company based in Lusaka, Zambia, that addresses the significant transport challenges in Africa, estimated to be worth $140 billion. By utilizing an on-demand delivery application, Musanga connects shippers with local couriers in real time, facilitating the swift movement of goods throughout the city. This platform serves both small retail stores and larger businesses, enabling efficient deliveries of various products, including fast-moving consumer goods and essential medicines. Through its innovative approach, Musanga is enhancing logistics efficiency across different industries and contributing to the improvement of supply chain operations in the region.

ConnectDER

Series A in 2018
ConnectDER is a solar technology company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2011. It specializes in designing and manufacturing meter collars that facilitate the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging to residential homes and the grid. By transforming the electricity meter socket into an interconnection point, ConnectDER enhances the integration and management of DERs. The company also offers ConnectDER Cloud, a system that allows fleet operators to access metering data, manage operational parameters, and control firmware remotely. This technology improves the efficiency and resilience of home energy systems while benefiting users, the grid, and the environment.

Quona Capital

Venture Round in 2018
Quona Capital Management Ltd. is a venture capital firm established in 2014, headquartered in Washington, D.C., with additional offices in Bengaluru, Lima, Cape Town, and Mexico City. The firm specializes in early to growth stage investments in the fintech sector, focusing on disruptive innovations that enhance financial inclusion in emerging markets, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Quona Capital targets companies that provide a range of financial products and services, including alternative lending, remittances, insurance, and payment solutions. The firm emphasizes investments that improve access to financial services for underserved consumers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Its investment strategy also encompasses adjacent sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and mobility. Quona Capital typically invests between $1 million and $10 million, supporting entrepreneurs dedicated to creating innovative financial solutions.

DFS Lab

Seed Round in 2018
Digital Financial Services Innovation Lab (DFS Lab) is an early-stage incubator established in 2017 and based in San Francisco, California. The organization focuses on supporting high-potential entrepreneurs in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, to refine, grow, and launch fintech businesses. DFS Lab provides a six-month program that equips entrepreneurs with essential mentorship, local insights, and strategic guidance necessary for transforming their fintech ideas into viable startups ready for seed investment. By fostering innovative business models, DFS Lab aims to empower low-income communities and enhance their access to digital financial services, ultimately facilitating profitable and scalable solutions for the underserved.

The Baobab Network

Seed Round in 2018
The Baobab Network is a prominent start-up accelerator based in Africa, with offices in Nairobi, South Africa, Nigeria, and London. It focuses on supporting early-stage technology ventures across the continent by connecting them with talent and global investors. The organization provides a range of services, including leadership development, entrepreneurship training, strategy design, and resource planning, all aimed at fostering growth and enhancing revenue for participating businesses. In exchange for equity, The Baobab Network offers financial support and a platform for companies to expand their operations and access vital resources, ensuring they receive real-time guidance to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape.

Clip Health

Venture Round in 2018
Clip Health is a health technology firm specializing in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of products for decentralized health testing. The company has developed innovative smartphone-based rapid test technology that transforms smartphones into medical devices capable of accurately detecting and quantifying biological targets, including bacteria, viruses, hormones, and protein biomarkers. By utilizing small sample sizes, Clip Health enables consumers to access critical health information quickly and on demand, providing instant insights into their health at a molecular level. This approach facilitates greater accessibility to health testing and empowers individuals to take charge of their health monitoring.

Sigora

Venture Round in 2017
Sigora is a provider of utility-management systems designed specifically for frontier markets. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers a platform that transforms energy access into viable business opportunities for both established urban grid utilities and rural micro-grid developers. By utilizing specialized hardware, web-managed software, and straightforward payment solutions, Sigora's system enhances operational efficiency for energy providers in emerging markets. It streamlines bill collection, minimizes revenue losses, and helps prevent energy theft. Sigora's innovative technology acts as an essential operating system for financeable micro-utility business models, enabling corporate clients and energy industry stakeholders to manage their resources more effectively.

OffGridBox

Angel Round in 2017
OffGridBox is a company that specializes in delivering renewable energy and clean water solutions to remote areas and developing countries through its innovative OffGridBox™ system. This modular unit, housed within a compact 6x6x6 feet shipping container, is equipped with the necessary technology to generate electricity and purify water. OffGridBox aims to address the needs of over 2 billion people who lack access to reliable energy and clean water. Each unit can serve approximately 300 families, potentially impacting around 1,500 individuals, and is often managed by local cooperatives, such as women-led organizations in Rwanda. The company has successfully deployed 38 units across nine countries, including Italy, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, the Philippines, Madagascar, the United States, and Colombia, serving various sectors such as humanitarian efforts, household retail, and industrial services. To date, these units have accumulated over 400,000 working hours, demonstrating their effectiveness and sustainability.
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