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Barefoot Power is an award-winning, energy company focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of affordable, efficient lighting systems to poor people in developing countries. Barefoot Power takes an active role investing in projects, supply chain partners and micro entrepreneurs. By replac...

Barefoot Power is an award-winning, energy company focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of affordable, efficient lighting systems to poor people in developing countries. Barefoot Power takes an active role investing in projects, supply chain partners and micro entrepreneurs. By replacing kerosene lighting, Barefoot Power will address energy poverty to 1m people by 2010 and 5m by 2012.

The retail cost of a rechargeable LED lamp is from US$5, and US$13 for a solar-powered version. The company has generated approximately $2m in revenue in last 12 months and is tracking for over $5 million in the next 12 months.

Our current target countries are Uganda, Kenya, India and Indonesia that have a combined spend of US$2.5bn on kerosene by 500m people. We have staff on the ground and may take equity positions in local companies. We package training, support, manuals, linkages to finance, coordinated by a free ERP system. Key investors include Oikocredit, one of the world’s largest lenders of microfinance.

Competitive Advantages
• Award Winning: Winner of three of four 1st prizes in a World Bank quality award contest, against 22 competitors
• Compelling Pricing: $5 - $25 retail prices, yielding 3-6 month payback for customers who spend $1/week on kerosene, delivering a cost effective, healthy, safe, efficient replacement
• European Grant support: to train 2000 entrepreneurs, further develop ERP systems and carbon credits monetization with EUR1m grant.

Key Investment Highlights
• Key Strategic Investors: including Oikocredit, the European Investment Bank, Good Energies Foundation and CSR Capital, with $4 million raised to date.
• Solid Returns: Debt investors have earned interest from our Barefoot Angel Debt Fund. An IRR of 20-40% is expected for equity investors. IPO ready by 2014.
• Reduced Investor Risk: Cash sales have allowed investors to make debt investments at 8-15% p.a. for just 6-12 months. No other cleantech matches this fast exit.

Barefoot Power Activity