Energy company GDF Suez, industrial group Schneider Electric and telecommunications company Orange France Telecom have backed US-based solar system installer Fenix International’s $12.6m series B round.
Cleantech entrepreneurs Tom Dinwoodie and Warner Philips also participated, along with unnamed individual investors.
Fenix previously raised $400,000 in seed funding in 2009 and $1.5m from a 2010 series A round, according to AngelList, and was selected for Orange’s accelerator Orange Fab in 2013. Orange Fab typically invests up to $20,000 in each startup.
Founded in 2009, Fenix ran a campaign for its ReadySet solar energy kit on crowdfunding site Kickstarter in 2012 that raised $112,000. The device can power up to 10 iPhones on a single charge.
Fenix primarily focuses on delivering solar energy to developing nations, and has offices in East Africa. Its ReadyPay Solar device is a solar panel and battery enabling citizens in developing nations to get on-demand access to clean energy through a mobile payment system.
Mike Lin, CEO and founder of Fenix, said: “This most recent infusion of capital will enable us to accelerate production and provide our breakthrough technology to even more communities throughout Africa.”
– Image courtesy of Fenix International