Two friends, one bright idea
What begins as a college project can become a global mission. Anish Thakkar and Patrick Walsh met nearly twenty years ago at the University of Illinois, forming a partnership rooted in curiosity, resilience, and a shared belief that essential services should be within reach for everyone. Their latest milestone—raising a staggering $700 million—speaks to a commitment that goes beyond entrepreneurship: to transform daily life by making light affordable for African households that have long lived in the shadows of energy poverty.
A mission forged in the lab
Their journey wasn’t a straight line. Early prototypes lived in a lab filled with half-working gadgets and sleepless nights. The founders listened to communities in need, learning how families balance reliability, cost, and safety when it comes to light. The result is not merely a cheaper bulb, but an integrated approach that blends solar, storage, and smart distribution networks. The core idea is simple: reduce the cost per lumen without sacrificing quality, then scale that solution across diverse urban and rural settings.
How the funding reshapes the landscape
The $700 million comes as venture capital, blended finance, and strategic partnerships, signaling confidence from investors who traditionally prioritized more developed markets. The money isn’t just for product; it funds manufacturing sites, local jobs, and a distribution model designed to reach remote communities. The model prioritizes modular systems that can be upgraded as households’ needs grow and as the grid evolves. In practice, this means households can start with affordable lighting and gradually add power for charging devices, running small appliances, or supporting small businesses after dark.
Impact that goes beyond illumination
Light is closely tied to opportunity. Students can study at night, small vendors can extend business hours, and clinics can operate safer, longer hours. The founders frame lighting as a social catalyst—one that improves safety, health, and education. Early pilots in several African markets show promising outcomes: households report lower energy costs, students increase study time, and shop owners extend hours with reliable lighting. Equally important, the initiative emphasizes training and local ownership, ensuring that communities capture lasting benefits rather than short-term subsidies.
Technology that scales with local realities
Thakkar and Walsh emphasize a pragmatic tech stack: affordable solar modules paired with efficient battery storage, smart meters to manage demand, and a distribution network that prioritizes after-sales service. They reject a one-size-fits-all approach, opting instead for modular solutions that can adapt to grid conditions, climate, and consumer affordability. The strategy also includes financing options designed to lower upfront costs, allowing families to pay as they experience savings from reduced energy bills.
Leadership, culture, and the road ahead
At the helm, the founders cultivate a culture that blends rigor with empathy. They champion a talent strategy that recruits engineers, technicians, and community workers from the regions they serve. This isn’t just about technology—it’s about empowering people to participate in the energy economy. As the company scales, the focus remains on building resilient energy systems that can weather fluctuations in supply and demand, while maintaining affordable prices for households that have long been underserved.
What this means for the African home
For families, the promise is straightforward: reliable light that won’t break the budget. For communities, it’s a pathway to safer streets, longer productive hours, and new entrepreneurial opportunities. For investors and policymakers, the model offers a blueprint for expanding access to clean energy in a financially sustainable way, without sacrificing quality or local engagement. The $700 million mark signals not just a financial milestone but a social one—proof that purpose-driven innovation can unlock scalable solutions in Africa and beyond.
Closing thought
When Anish Thakkar and Patrick Walsh reflect on their journey, they describe a simple, persistent belief: light is a basic need, and affordability should never be a barrier. Their partnership—grounded in years of collaboration, listening, and fearless iteration—stands as a testament to the idea that big problems can be solved through patient capital, practical tech, and a people-centered approach.
