Deadline: 28-Feb-21
The Solarkiosk is calling the most promising African Start-Ups in the off-grid energy sector to make them fit for funding and help them find the right investors.
The Challenge
- African Start-Ups, in particular those addressing issues of the people who live in rural off-grid areas, often have a hard time to become “investable”, e.g. proving international investors that they are suitable for investment, because they don´t (yet) have:
- A clear understanding about the expectations of the investors
- Their documentation (pitch, IM, business model, data-room) in place
- A simple efficient governance and an effective organisational structure
- A defined growth strategy and exit-perspective for investors
- An ambitious, but down-to-earth valuation
- A clearly defined path toward the investment
- Investors, on the other hand, often fail to see the real investment opportunities because they:
- lack know-how / investment experience regarding African market and sectors
- lack understanding of local context
- Don’t have the resources to conduct a real in-debth Due Diligence
- Are hindered by a general mistrust that “Africa works”.
The Solution: Solarkiosk Start Up facilitator for Off-Grid Energy Companies
The Solarkiosk bridges the gap as an intermediary between African Start-Ups and international investors because Solarkiosk:
- are active in the rural off-grid sector in Africa since more than 10 years, working with several partners (PAYGO´s, mini-grid operators, DESCO´s, suppliers, retailers) and therefore know the sector like hardly any other
- know the “pain & gain” from both sides of the table, e.g. the challenges both for Start-Ups to get invested and investors to find the most promising companies
- help mission aligned Start-Ups to become investable and find them investors
- are well-known and well-connected with investors who want to invest in the African off-grid energy sector
Eligibility Criteria
Solarkiosk will select the most promising African off-grid energy Start-Ups and offer them the following to get funded:
- Business / sector specific advisory
- Matchmaking to suitable strategic partners in Africa / Europe / US / Asia
- Prep-up for finance round (documentation, business plan, data-room)
- Matchmaking in financing rounds
- Legal support in the deal-making process via our legal partners
- Post-investment support and preparations for consecutive rounds
For more information, visit https://www.solarkiosk.eu/solarkiosk-african-startup-facilitator/