ClimaFii Alliance Issues Call for Clean Energy Applications
The Climate and Finance Innovations (ClimaFii) Alliance’s supporting partners have issued calls for applications in sub-Saharan Africa and India for clean energy solutions that raise incomes for Small and medium enterprises.
BFA Global and Upaya Social Ventures are seeking climate enterprises to design and develop emission-reducing technologies specifically to benefit microentrepreneurs in these markets.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital to the economies of Africa and India, providing a significant portion of employment. These enterprises face a substantial financing gap, however, which makes it challenging to secure funds for essential tools and emission-reducing technologies.
The ClimaFii Alliance addresses this by combining venture building and financial product design to make climate technologies more accessible to microentrepreneurs. Shell Foundation, with co-funding from the UK government through its Transforming Energy Access platform, and the global nonprofit Accion launched the alliance in January.
Apply or Nominate a Startup or SME
For Entrepreneurs in India through Upaya Social Ventures
Call for impact-first businesses in the Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) sector in India that are mid-growth stage and have the potential to impact 3,000 to 5,000 microentrepreneurs.
Upaya Social Ventures looks for
- Purpose-driven businesses that manufacture, distribute, aggregate, import, wholesale, or retail clean energy solutions to microentrepreneurs for productive use.
- Businesses creating market linkages through buy-back arrangements with the microentrepreneurs.
- Preference for businesses operating in low-income states or districts in India
- For-profit, impact-first businesses creating dignified jobs or livelihoods for microentrepreneurs.
- Businesses supplying clean energy solutions to microentrepreneurs or micro-businesses.
- Preference for businesses with one or more female founders, and/or a considerable number of women jobholders, and/or impacting women microentrepreneurs.
Selected startups will receive
- Seed funding of up to $70,000 with gender-based incentives and flexible terms.
- Tailored business growth support, including go-to-market strategies and market access.
- Expert guidance on investment readiness, technical support, and impact measurement.
- Supply chain financing for microentrepreneurs and opportunities for follow-on investment.
Key sectors include
- Food, Agriculture, and Allied
- Waste Management and Circularity
- Textiles
Applications are open until 21 February 2025.
For Entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa through BFA Global
Call for startups/SMEs building clean energy/DRE solutions specifically or mostly for microentrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa that have a product in the market with the potential to reach 2,000 microentrepreneur customers.
BFA Global looks for
- Startups/SMEs with clean energy solutions for microentrepreneurs, especially women.
- Early-stage businesses with market-ready products and growth potential.
- Women-led businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
Selected startups will receive
- Customised venture-building support over 5-6 months tailored to each startup’s needs.
- Milestone-based cash grants of USD $45,000.
- Partnerships with financial service providers facilitated by Accion to increase access to credit.
Key sectors include
- Productive energy applications
- Logistics and distribution solutions
- Decentralised energy systems
- Clean mobility infrastructure
- Financial, tech, and data services
Applications are open until 21 February 2025.
