SunFunder

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.

Avi Jacobson

Investment Director

Ryan Levinson

Founder and CEO

25 past transactions

M-Kopa

Debt Financing in 2023
M-Kopa is a company that offers connected asset financing solutions aimed at underbanked customers. By leveraging a platform that integrates digital micropayments and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, M-Kopa facilitates access to essential products and services, including solar lighting, televisions, refrigerators, smartphones, and financial services. The company's innovative approach allows individuals without credit histories or substantial assets to secure financing, thereby improving their quality of life through affordable and accessible everyday essentials.

Energy Vision

Debt Financing in 2023
Energy Vision is a telecom-focused energy service company that specializes in providing environmentally friendly energy solutions for mobile network operators and telecom tower companies. The company addresses the challenges of powering telecom equipment in areas where the electric grid is limited or unreliable. Energy Vision offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes engineering, implementation, operation and maintenance, as well as upgrades and expansions. By delivering cost-effective and energy-efficient options, Energy Vision enhances the reliability of power supply, thereby improving connectivity for users and ensuring that clients have consistent access to necessary services.

BioLite

Debt Financing in 2023
BioLite Inc. is a Brooklyn-based company founded in 2006 that develops and manufactures energy products aimed at both off-grid communities and outdoor enthusiasts. Its product range includes portable grills, stoves, power lights, and energy bundles, all designed to be compatible with various devices like smartphones and rechargeable battery packs. BioLite addresses the needs of two distinct markets: families in developing countries who rely on traditional wood fires for cooking, which poses significant health risks, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking efficient, fuel-independent cooking solutions. The company has pioneered advanced, clean-burning stove technology that significantly reduces indoor smoke emissions while generating electricity from waste heat, enabling users to charge devices and improve their living conditions. By focusing on innovative solutions, BioLite aims to tackle energy poverty and enhance environmental sustainability.

d.light

Debt Financing in 2022
D.light is a developer of solar home lighting and power products aimed at providing clean energy solutions to rural and semi-urban populations. The company offers a range of solar goods, including lights, radios, televisions, fans, and other home appliances, all powered by rechargeable solar kits. By making these products accessible and affordable, D.light seeks to improve health, increase productivity, and enhance the overall quality of life for its users.

Yellow

Debt Financing in 2021
Yellow is a fintech company dedicated to delivering impactful products and services to rural households through a widespread sales network. The company specializes in the last mile distribution of affordable pay-as-you-go solar home systems, targeting low-income communities. By leveraging innovative financing solutions, Yellow aims to enhance access to renewable energy, thereby improving the quality of life for its customers in underserved areas.

Zola Electric

Debt Financing in 2021
Zola Electric is a provider of off-grid solar solutions focused on the African market, specifically operating in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. Founded in 2012 and based in Arusha, Tanzania, with an office in San Francisco, the company specializes in renewable energy systems that leverage advanced solar, battery, and power electronics technology. Zola Electric offers solar home kits through a leasing or purchase model, enabling households and businesses to access clean and affordable energy. The company employs a pay-as-you-go micro-finance system that accommodates varying energy needs and income levels, powering over 180,000 homes and businesses. Recognized for its innovative approach, Zola Electric has received several awards, including the UN Momentum for Change Award and the Zayed Future Energy Prize, and is included in the Global Cleantech 100.

Winch Energy

Debt Financing in 2021
Winch Energy Group is a company that specializes in off-grid, renewable energy solutions aimed at providing power generation and ancillary services for rural populations, particularly in Africa. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Sevenoaks, United Kingdom, with additional offices in France and Italy, the company focuses on energy solutions for corporate and institutional partners. Winch Energy develops and operates power generation assets, offering total lighting solutions including surveys, design, compliance management, and installation. The company also engages in project origination and greenfield development, identifying opportunities, arranging funding, and implementing projects. Its services cater to various industries, including mining, petrochemicals, cement, and food and beverage. Winch Energy is committed to meeting national-scale rural electrification objectives rapidly and efficiently, enabling access to electricity, running water, and communications in remote locations across Africa, Central and Latin America, and Asia.

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.

InspiraFarms

Debt Financing in 2020
InspiraFarms is a company that specializes in manufacturing solar-powered modular technologies for food processing and cold storage. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in London, with additional offices in Kenya, Southern Africa, and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, the company provides off-grid cold storage units, food processing plants, and dairy chilling machines. Its offerings include Good Agricultural Practice certified modules and renewable energy systems, designed to support the post-harvest value addition processes. InspiraFarms targets small to medium-sized enterprises within the fruit, vegetable, and dairy industries, ensuring that its solutions meet global food safety certification and quality standards. By collaborating with various actors in value chains across Central America and East Africa, InspiraFarms aims to facilitate access to healthy and nutritious food for both local and international markets.

Daystar Power

Debt Financing in 2020
Daystar Power specializes in delivering solar power and energy efficiency solutions tailored for businesses in the commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors. By providing affordable, reliable, and clean power through solar hybrid systems, Daystar Power helps its clients significantly reduce power costs, diesel consumption, and environmental pollution. The company offers these services to customers either as a cash sale or on a monthly fee basis, ensuring stable power supply for businesses across Africa.

d.light

Debt Financing in 2019
D.light is a developer of solar home lighting and power products aimed at providing clean energy solutions to rural and semi-urban populations. The company offers a range of solar goods, including lights, radios, televisions, fans, and other home appliances, all powered by rechargeable solar kits. By making these products accessible and affordable, D.light seeks to improve health, increase productivity, and enhance the overall quality of life for its users.

PEG

Series C in 2019
PEG is an asset financing company based in Accra, Ghana, that specializes in providing affordable solar energy solutions to off-grid households in West Africa. Founded in 2013 by Hugh Whalan and Nate Heller, PEG offers a Pay As You Go financing model that enables customers to acquire solar home systems, which enhance their quality of life by providing reliable lighting, mobile phone charging, and access to appliances like radios and televisions. By facilitating the transition from traditional, polluting fuels such as kerosene to sustainable solar energy, PEG empowers its customers to invest in clean technology while reducing their ongoing energy costs. The company's operations extend to countries including Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, where it addresses the energy needs of underserved communities.

PEG

Debt Financing in 2019
PEG is an asset financing company based in Accra, Ghana, that specializes in providing affordable solar energy solutions to off-grid households in West Africa. Founded in 2013 by Hugh Whalan and Nate Heller, PEG offers a Pay As You Go financing model that enables customers to acquire solar home systems, which enhance their quality of life by providing reliable lighting, mobile phone charging, and access to appliances like radios and televisions. By facilitating the transition from traditional, polluting fuels such as kerosene to sustainable solar energy, PEG empowers its customers to invest in clean technology while reducing their ongoing energy costs. The company's operations extend to countries including Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, where it addresses the energy needs of underserved communities.

SolarWorks!

Debt Financing in 2019
SolarWorks! specializes in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of high-quality solar solutions aimed at providing lighting and low-voltage electricity in areas with limited or no access to conventional power sources. The company's products harness solar energy to deliver reliable lighting and charge devices, significantly enhancing the quality of life for individuals in off-grid situations. By focusing on sustainable energy solutions, SolarWorks! addresses the challenges faced by communities without adequate electricity, ensuring that they have access to essential power for their daily needs.

SolarNow

Debt Financing in 2019
SolarNow is a company focused on providing solar energy and financing solutions in East Africa, with its headquarters in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and branch locations in Uganda and Kenya. Founded in 2011 by Willem Nolens, SolarNow manufactures high-quality solar home systems designed to meet the energy needs of both rural and urban households, as well as entrepreneurs and institutions. The company addresses the unmet demand for solar power services by offering a range of products, including solar home systems and electrical appliances. Additionally, SolarNow provides affordable and flexible credit options, enabling customers to access clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions for households, small businesses, farming, and corporate needs.

Zola Electric

Debt Financing in 2018
Zola Electric is a provider of off-grid solar solutions focused on the African market, specifically operating in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. Founded in 2012 and based in Arusha, Tanzania, with an office in San Francisco, the company specializes in renewable energy systems that leverage advanced solar, battery, and power electronics technology. Zola Electric offers solar home kits through a leasing or purchase model, enabling households and businesses to access clean and affordable energy. The company employs a pay-as-you-go micro-finance system that accommodates varying energy needs and income levels, powering over 180,000 homes and businesses. Recognized for its innovative approach, Zola Electric has received several awards, including the UN Momentum for Change Award and the Zayed Future Energy Prize, and is included in the Global Cleantech 100.

Questworks

Debt Financing in 2018
Questworks offers turnkey construction, PV solar and office fit-out solutions.

d.light

Debt Financing in 2018
D.light is a developer of solar home lighting and power products aimed at providing clean energy solutions to rural and semi-urban populations. The company offers a range of solar goods, including lights, radios, televisions, fans, and other home appliances, all powered by rechargeable solar kits. By making these products accessible and affordable, D.light seeks to improve health, increase productivity, and enhance the overall quality of life for its users.

Sun King

Private Equity Round in 2017
Sun King is a solar energy company that specializes in providing off-grid power solutions across Africa and Asia. It designs, manufactures, and distributes solar home systems, inverter systems, and portable lanterns, targeting communities with limited access to reliable electricity. Sun King offers pay-as-you-go financing options, enabling customers to acquire these products through small, affordable installments over time. The company collaborates with international distribution partners to expand its reach within the off-grid market.

SolarNow

Debt Financing in 2017
SolarNow is a company focused on providing solar energy and financing solutions in East Africa, with its headquarters in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and branch locations in Uganda and Kenya. Founded in 2011 by Willem Nolens, SolarNow manufactures high-quality solar home systems designed to meet the energy needs of both rural and urban households, as well as entrepreneurs and institutions. The company addresses the unmet demand for solar power services by offering a range of products, including solar home systems and electrical appliances. Additionally, SolarNow provides affordable and flexible credit options, enabling customers to access clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions for households, small businesses, farming, and corporate needs.

InspiraFarms

Debt Financing in 2017
InspiraFarms is a company that specializes in manufacturing solar-powered modular technologies for food processing and cold storage. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in London, with additional offices in Kenya, Southern Africa, and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, the company provides off-grid cold storage units, food processing plants, and dairy chilling machines. Its offerings include Good Agricultural Practice certified modules and renewable energy systems, designed to support the post-harvest value addition processes. InspiraFarms targets small to medium-sized enterprises within the fruit, vegetable, and dairy industries, ensuring that its solutions meet global food safety certification and quality standards. By collaborating with various actors in value chains across Central America and East Africa, InspiraFarms aims to facilitate access to healthy and nutritious food for both local and international markets.

PEG

Debt Financing in 2016
PEG is an asset financing company based in Accra, Ghana, that specializes in providing affordable solar energy solutions to off-grid households in West Africa. Founded in 2013 by Hugh Whalan and Nate Heller, PEG offers a Pay As You Go financing model that enables customers to acquire solar home systems, which enhance their quality of life by providing reliable lighting, mobile phone charging, and access to appliances like radios and televisions. By facilitating the transition from traditional, polluting fuels such as kerosene to sustainable solar energy, PEG empowers its customers to invest in clean technology while reducing their ongoing energy costs. The company's operations extend to countries including Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, where it addresses the energy needs of underserved communities.

d.light

Debt Financing in 2016
D.light is a developer of solar home lighting and power products aimed at providing clean energy solutions to rural and semi-urban populations. The company offers a range of solar goods, including lights, radios, televisions, fans, and other home appliances, all powered by rechargeable solar kits. By making these products accessible and affordable, D.light seeks to improve health, increase productivity, and enhance the overall quality of life for its users.

SolarNow

Debt Financing in 2016
SolarNow is a company focused on providing solar energy and financing solutions in East Africa, with its headquarters in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and branch locations in Uganda and Kenya. Founded in 2011 by Willem Nolens, SolarNow manufactures high-quality solar home systems designed to meet the energy needs of both rural and urban households, as well as entrepreneurs and institutions. The company addresses the unmet demand for solar power services by offering a range of products, including solar home systems and electrical appliances. Additionally, SolarNow provides affordable and flexible credit options, enabling customers to access clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions for households, small businesses, farming, and corporate needs.

ENSOL

Debt Financing in 2014
ENSOL is renewable energy company that offers engineering, procurement, and construction to solar energy projects
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