Persistent

Persistent is a Nairobi-based venture capital firm focused on Africa, investing in climate, renewable energy, e-mobility, agricultural technology, and solar sectors. It supports entrepreneurs with deep operational and strategic guidance to help them scale sustainable businesses. The firm seeks attractive financial returns while creating social and environmental impact, including improving energy access for underserved markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

Thomas Gallas

Principal and Venture Builder

Jens Godat

COO and Partner

Toukam Ngoufanke

Principal and Venture Builder

Tobias Ruckstuhl

Managing Partner

Eva Stolz

Venture Builder

Olu Verheijen

Partner

Past deals in Sub Saharan Africa

Beacon Power Services

Seed Round in 2022
Beacon Power Services, established in 2013 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, specializes in designing and implementing energy management solutions for commercial and industrial facilities. The company's core offering is its AI-enabled grid management platform, Adora, which provides real-time visibility into network performance for electric utilities, enabling them to anticipate outages, identify network losses, and distribute electricity more efficiently. Additionally, Adora empowers consumers with control over their energy infrastructure, facilitating invoicing, installations, and logistics. Beacon Power Services aims to enhance the quality and duration of electricity supplied in African cities by building smart grids and leveraging data to reduce inefficiencies in power distribution systems.

Hohm Energy

Seed Round in 2022
Founded in 2021, Hohm Energy is a South Africa-based company that operates an online marketplace connecting customers with accredited solar providers, product suppliers, and financiers. Through scalable technology, it manages the entire solar transition journey, from initial scoping to installation, operations, and maintenance.

Hohm Energy

Venture Round in 2022
Founded in 2021, Hohm Energy is a South Africa-based company that operates an online marketplace connecting customers with accredited solar providers, product suppliers, and financiers. Through scalable technology, it manages the entire solar transition journey, from initial scoping to installation, operations, and maintenance.

Oolu

Series B in 2020
Oolu Inc. is a solar energy company based in Dakar, Senegal, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. It specializes in the installation of solar home systems and provides technical support and maintenance services to households in West Africa. Oolu's offerings include solar systems equipped with adjustable lights and USB ports, powered by batteries that can hold a charge for up to six hours. The company aims to improve energy access for rural and peri-urban communities by implementing a monthly payment model that reduces financial barriers. This model not only allows customers to benefit from affordable and reliable energy but also includes maintenance, parts, and battery replacements within the service package. By fostering trust within local communities, Oolu seeks to expand its impact and become a leading provider of energy and financial services in the developing world.

ASOBO

Venture Round in 2019
ASOBO is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2019, specializing in the manufacture of electric outboard engines powered by lithium batteries. The company's primary focus is on providing sustainable e-mobility solutions for fishermen operating on Lake Victoria in East Africa. By offering these electric outboard engines on a full-service basis, ASOBO enables fishers to utilize clean energy, thereby reducing costs and promoting environmentally friendly practices. Through its innovative approach, ASOBO aims to create a sustainable platform for marine transportation in emerging markets.

Zonful Energy

Seed Round in 2018
Founded in 2014, Zonful Energy specializes in providing affordable off-grid solar home systems in Zimbabwe. The company offers modular solar energy solutions, including panels, batteries, and appliances like lights and radios, aiming to promote energy access while saving customers money and reducing environmental impact.

Zonful Energy

Corporate Round in 2018
Founded in 2014, Zonful Energy specializes in providing affordable off-grid solar home systems in Zimbabwe. The company offers modular solar energy solutions, including panels, batteries, and appliances like lights and radios, aiming to promote energy access while saving customers money and reducing environmental impact.

Oolu

Series A in 2017
Oolu Inc. is a solar energy company based in Dakar, Senegal, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. It specializes in the installation of solar home systems and provides technical support and maintenance services to households in West Africa. Oolu's offerings include solar systems equipped with adjustable lights and USB ports, powered by batteries that can hold a charge for up to six hours. The company aims to improve energy access for rural and peri-urban communities by implementing a monthly payment model that reduces financial barriers. This model not only allows customers to benefit from affordable and reliable energy but also includes maintenance, parts, and battery replacements within the service package. By fostering trust within local communities, Oolu seeks to expand its impact and become a leading provider of energy and financial services in the developing world.

Rensource

Venture Round in 2016
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.

Devergy

Seed Round in 2015
Devergy is a social energy utility based in Ghana that focuses on delivering reliable and affordable electricity services to low-income communities in developing countries, particularly in off-grid rural areas like Tanzania. The company operates village-sized energy micro-grids powered by solar energy, enabling households and businesses to access electricity. These micro-grids are designed with adaptive capacity and are regularly monitored to ensure efficient service delivery. By providing solar power, Devergy aims to improve the quality of life for underserved populations while promoting sustainable energy solutions.

PEG

Pre Seed Round in 2015
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.
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