Nairobi-based startup wins $50,000 from Seedstars for its cold storage units

david nganga

January 26, 2018 11:04 AM

The firm will be funded to commercialise solar cold storage units for off-grid smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa

A Nairobi-based firm has won an accolade for being the best energy access startup at the just concluded RES-EXPO conference “Renewable Energy in East-Africa: New Frontiers” organised by RES4Africa in Nairobi.

SolarFreeze was recognized for its solar-powered cold storage unit systems that provide refrigeration services to smallholder farmers and traders with no need for grid connection.

“Almost 600 million people are lacking access to electricity in Africa. Solving energy issues through entrepreneurship and technology is therefore a critical agenda point at Seedstars where we aim to find real solutions to real problems. Seedstars is glad to have Enel onboard to help support some of the greatest entrepreneurs, disruptors and innovators in this space.” said Alisee de Tonnac, CEO at Seedstars.

Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa (RES4Africa) is an association that promotes the deployment of large scale and decentralised renewable energy in Sub-Saharan African countries to meet local energy needs for growth.

Following the award, SolarFreeze will enter into a three-month programme worth 50,000 US dollars in acceleration services and cash funded by Seedstars.

The Enel Group, through its new division Enel X, and Swiss-based group Seedstars World SA (Seedstars) presented the award.

Enel’s collaboration with Seedstars began formally in July 2017 when the two signed a cooperation agreement.

The agreement established the Africa Energy Track challenge aimed at identifying innovative startups in the field of electricity access in Africa within the framework of the Seedstars World startup competition.

“We are glad to support a company promoting development in rural villages through innovative electrification solutions,” said Riccardo Amoroso, head of innovation and product Lab at Enel X.

david nganga