OffGridBox produces all-in-one, shipping-container-sized installations that use solar panels to charge batteries, power lights and run water purifiers for rural communities. Each unit stores electricity, dispenses rechargeable batteries and supplies treated water from a local source, and can generate as much as 12 kWh per day. The company has installed 38 boxes so far and targets local merchants—often young women—to operate and maintain each box as a small business. Each box costs about $15,000 to build plus roughly $10,000 to deliver and install; at full utilization a box can generate about $10,000 of revenue per year and an IRR of ~15 percent. OffGridBox plans feature expansion (Wi‑Fi, portable speakers) and is researching complementary power sources like wind and desalination to broaden deployments. With partnerships (including local nonprofits and banks) the company hopes to scale from the initial deployments in Rwanda toward hundreds or thousands of boxes.

Total raised

$2M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Dec 2018