Inspired Evolution Investment Management

Inspired Evolution Investment Management is a Cape Town-based private equity and venture capital firm focused on sustainable environmental and energy technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa. It targets equity investments across multiple growth stages, often as a lead investor seeking significant minority or majority stakes and board representation. The firm concentrates on clean energy and resource efficiency, including energy generation, water treatment, waste management, green chemistry, and related sectors, with additional exposure to sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and green real estate. The geographic focus spans Southern Africa and broader Sub-Saharan Africa, with activity in countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and neighboring states. Inspired Evolution operates through a multidisciplinary team to deliver returns aligned with social and ecological outcomes, and maintains offices in Cape Town and internationally in Grand Baie, Mauritius; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Nairobi, Kenya; and London, United Kingdom.

Monya Bassingthwaighte

Investment Director

Mike Brooks

CEO

Christopher Clarke

Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Executive Director and Investment Committee member

Steven Faure

Partner and Investment Director

Wayne Keast

Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Executive Director and Investment Committee member

Joseph Mwaura

Principal

Anthony Ngugi

Investment Director

Brent Smit

Investment Associate

Anthony Ngugi

Investment Director

Steven Faure

Partne and Investment Director Southern African Region

24 past transactions

Equator Energy

Secondary Market in 2024
Equator Energy Ltd. is a solar energy company based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2016. It specializes in designing, financing, supplying, installing, and operating hybrid solar plants for commercial and industrial clients in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company's focus is on reducing electricity costs for users, particularly those reliant on costly diesel power in sectors such as mining and warehousing. Equator Energy provides both on-grid and off-grid solar solutions, enabling its clients to decrease their annual power expenses while contributing to sustainable energy practices in the region.

Red Rocket South Africa

Venture Round in 2023
Red Rocket South Africa, established in 2011 and headquartered in Cape Town, specializes in the development, design, construction, operation, and ownership of utility-scale grid-connected renewable energy projects across Africa. The company focuses on wind, solar, hydro, and biomass power generation, with operations spanning multiple countries on the continent.

GENERALE DU SOLAIRE

Venture Round in 2022
GENERALE DU SOLAIRE specialized in developing, engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), financing and operating solar power plants.

ManoCap

Venture Round in 2022
ManoCap is a private equity firm based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, investing in growth-oriented opportunities across West Africa. It pursues expansions, startups, management buyouts, pre-IPO and venture capital investments in debt and equity for small- to mid-size enterprises, with a focus on sectors such as agribusiness, agro-processing, sustainable fisheries, services, tourism, transportation, training, healthcare, sanitation, construction and building materials, light manufacturing, financial services, and information technology. The firm typically commits between $0.5 million and $5 million, and targets markets in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana, though it operates across the region. ManoCap Energy provides energy management and financing services to African clients, designing solar, hydro and biofuel systems, financing projects with no upfront payment, installing and supporting the energy solutions, and helping clients reduce costs and environmental impact. The company also advises development finance institutions, fund managers and corporations on capital deployment, drawing on its West Africa experience since 2006.

d.light

Venture Round in 2021
d.light develops solar-powered lighting and power products, including lights, radios, televisions, fans, and other home appliances. Their rechargeable solar kits aim to improve health, increase productivity, and enhance the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas by providing access to clean energy.

Escotel

Series A in 2020
Escotel is an energy services company currently focused on Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Escotel provides energy services to mobile tower owners and operators, owning and operating decentralized renewable energy infrastructure across Africa

GigaWatt Global

Venture Round in 2020
GigaWatt Global operates as a renewable energy infrastructure company, specializing in developing and managing utility-scale solar fields. Its primary focus is on generating solar power, with additional capabilities in wind and hydroelectricity. The company aims to accelerate energy sustainability and independence in various regions by partnering with financial institutions, governments, and development groups.

Red Rocket South Africa

Venture Round in 2020
Red Rocket South Africa, established in 2011 and headquartered in Cape Town, specializes in the development, design, construction, operation, and ownership of utility-scale grid-connected renewable energy projects across Africa. The company focuses on wind, solar, hydro, and biomass power generation, with operations spanning multiple countries on the continent.

Rensource

Series A in 2019
Founded in 2015, Rensource offers subscription-based solar power services primarily for consumers and small businesses in Nigeria. The company generates electricity using small solar-hybrid systems installed on-site, providing flexible plans such as Go, Eco, Duplo, and Pro based on customers' energy needs.

SolarAfrica

Venture Round in 2019
SolarAfrica specializes in providing solar finance solutions through power purchase agreements, enabling businesses to transition to renewable energy without upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX). The company's services include financing, delivering, and maintaining solar projects, which help organizations reduce monthly electricity costs and improve their carbon footprint. SolarAfrica offers a comprehensive solution that includes maintenance, operations, insurance, performance monitoring, and ensures that the solar systems are always functioning optimally to deliver savings. This approach allows businesses to become more sustainable while benefiting from reduced electricity bills and enhanced energy management.

d.light

Series E in 2018
d.light develops solar-powered lighting and power products, including lights, radios, televisions, fans, and other home appliances. Their rechargeable solar kits aim to improve health, increase productivity, and enhance the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas by providing access to clean energy.

ALTEN Renewable Energy

Venture Round in 2018
An independent power producer specializing in the development, financing, and operation of solar photovoltaic power plants.

SIRAC

Venture Round in 2013
SIRAC is a distributor and marketer of energy-saving products for a broad range of commercial hot water heating applications and allied industries.

Gibson Bay Wind Farm

Venture Round in 2013
Gibson Bay Wind Farm is a wind power project that provides renewable energy.

DeAar Solar

Venture Round in 2013
DeAar Solar assists in renewable, cost-effective, pollution-free, clean energy production.

AFPOC

Venture Round in 2012
AFPOC is a provider of clean energy infrastructure.

SlimSun Too

Venture Round in 2012
SlimSun Too is a 5-megawatt photovoltaic solar project.

Kouga Wind Farm

Venture Round in 2012
Kouga Wind Farm is a renewable energy facility located along the Eastern Cape coastline of South Africa, dedicated to generating clean electrical energy. The wind farm has the capacity to produce approximately 300 GWh of energy annually, which meets the consumption needs of around 50,000 average households. In its operations, Kouga Wind Farm significantly contributes to environmental sustainability by preventing the emission of over 290,000 metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year. This commitment to clean energy aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and promote renewable resources.

SlimSun Too

Venture Round in 2011
SlimSun Too is a 5-megawatt photovoltaic solar project.

Demeter

Venture Round in 2011
Demeter is an agri-networking platform where farmers connect, collaborate, and share knowledge and experiences. It focuses on operating an organic urea fertilizer plant which uses human sludge to manufacture organically enhanced nitrogen-based fertilizer and reduces the impact of traditional fertilizer on groundwater and the environment.

RUSTMO1

Venture Round in 2011
RUSTMO1 is a 7 MW solar PV facility that provides improvements to the local infrastructure through uninterrupted power during daylight hours, reduces carbon footprint, and promotes socio-economic development.

EnviroServ Holdings

Venture Round in 2010
EnviroServ Holdings is a waste management solutions provider that operates across various industries, including automotive, power generation, textiles, food, and retail, both in South Africa and internationally. The company offers a wide range of services, including landfill waste management, contaminated land and legacy stockpile management, garbage collection, and municipal and hazardous waste services. Through its comprehensive approach, EnviroServ enables clients to mitigate environmental risks and effectively manage containment and cleanup needs, establishing itself as a trusted partner in waste management.

Red Cap Energy

Venture Round in 2010
Red Cap Energy is a renewable energy project developer based in Cape Town, South Africa. The company specializes in generating clean energy through its wind power plants, contributing to the growth of sustainable energy solutions. By focusing on wind energy, Red Cap Energy aims to address the increasing demand for renewable resources while promoting environmental sustainability.

Abagold

Venture Round in 2010
Abagold is a seafood hatchery located in New Harbour, South Africa, specializing in the cultivation of abalone. The company operates aquaculture farms and a hatchery, where it focuses on the sustainable and environmentally compliant production of multiple abalone species. Additionally, Abagold has a canning and processing facility that prepares live, canned, and processed abalone products. By prioritizing sustainable practices, the company enables East Asian markets to access high-quality nutritional abalone products.
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