We believe that the best solutions come from within the community, working on the ground with local groups and dedicated entrepreneurs who best understand the needs of their community.

E+Co’s approach is to empower local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that supply clean and affordable energy to households, businesses and communities in developing countries. We do this through the “enterprise centered model” of providing business development services and investment capital to enterprises. The combination of services and capital distinguishes E+Co’s work from others in the clean energy field.

Enterprise Centered Model for Clean Energy Companies

The Enterprise Centered Model for Clean Energy Companies

E+Co’s financing to SMEs mostly consists of “seed capital”: modest amounts of financing for the early stage of an enterprise. At that stage, entrepreneurs have little or no track record in the business; generally, only the idea, the opportunity and a champion exist. Often the business plan still needs to be developed.

E+Co’s “enterprise development services or business development support” (EDS) assist the entrepreneur prepare his/her business idea for investment, by E+Co or others. Through the EDS, E+Co’s knowledge of the clean energy market, business models, technologies and our local networks help entrepreneurs get started and are crucial to reach the stage where seed capital investments can follow.

A sample of the EDS provided by E+Co includes assistance in:

• Market assessment and segmentation
• Business Plan Development: assessing business models that take into account relevant external factors
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Financial modelling
• Organizational/Ownership structuring
• Creation of Legal Agreements, Regulatory/Central Bank compliance
• Adherence to business plan, monitoring of cash flow
• Operational problem resolution
• Securing next stage financing
• Monitoring and Evaluation of financial, social and environmental returns

E+Co's experience supports the conclusion that the critical element of success is not simply money, an investment model, or developing procedures and practices. The critical element is finding and investing in men and women who want to make their livelihood supplying clean energy to their neighbours. Investing in that small or mid-sized company is an indispensable step for sustainability. There is a huge potential of viable clean energy companies and an enormous pool of potential entrepreneurs.