What is d.light?
d.light designs and retails affordable solar-powered solutions, primarily targeting populations in the developing world that lack access to reliable energy. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the company plays a crucial role in providing sustainable energy alternatives, thereby enhancing quality of life and economic opportunities for its users. Its business model focuses on making essential energy services accessible and affordable.
How much funding has d.light raised?
d.light has raised a total of $1.4B across 15 funding rounds:
Grant
$5.5M
Private Equity
$5M
Unspecified
$41M
Private Equity
$10M
Unspecified
$15M
Debt
$50M
Other Financing Round
$30M
Debt
$176M
Other Financing Round
$1B
Grant (2017): $5.5M led by Beyond the Grid and Shell Foundation
Private Equity (2017): $5M supported by Norfund
Unspecified (2018): $41M featuring Swedfund, Inspired Evolution, and Norfund
Private Equity (2021): $10M backed by Proparco
Unspecified (2021): $15M with participation from Shell New Energies, Norfund, Inspired Evolution, Swedfund International, and KawiSafi Ventures
Debt (2022): $50M led by SunFunder, Fmo, and Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia
Other Financing Round (2023): $30M supported by TDB Group
Debt (2024): $176M featuring African Frontier Capital
Other Financing Round (2025): $1B backed by African Frontier Capital and Mirova
Key Investors in d.light
African Frontier Capital
African Frontier Capital (AFC) is an impact investing company focused on distributed renewable energy assets, aiming to enhance financial inclusion for underserved populations through data-driven sustainable investment solutions.
Mirova
Mirova is an asset management company specializing in investment solutions that merge financial performance with environmental and social impact, serving institutional investors globally.
Norfund
Norfund is the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries, focused on creating jobs and improving lives through investments in renewable energy, financial inclusion, and scalable enterprises in developing nations.
What's next for d.light?
The substantial enterprise-level backing and recent strategic investment indicate d.light is poised for significant scaling and market expansion. This capital infusion is likely to fuel further product development, enhance distribution networks in emerging markets, and potentially explore new technological advancements in solar energy solutions. The company's continued access to significant financing suggests strong investor confidence in its mission and its capacity to achieve substantial social and economic impact.
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