Using electrical devices in off-grid communities comes with several challenges. Blackouts, poor performance, and products...
Problem
1.5 billion people globally don’t have reliable power
The only option is to run a polluting fuel generator.
Customers are ready for a better power solution.
Solution
WOWsolar™ Hub:
A clean, green, solar machine
Amped's WOWsolar™ Hub is a rechargeable lithium battery bank with a built-in inverter that powers homes and businesses whenever the grid fails.
The WOWsolar™ Hub is less money per day (compared to fuel), and then free after 9 months.
Enormous potential impact on carbon emissions
There is rarely such an easy and accessible way to directly impact carbon emissions.
Product
Rugged, affordable,
clean power
The WOWsolar™ Hub comes in two sizes to match end users' runtime needs. Both systems can handle up to 1200 Watts of solar power: serious power.
Mobile app
Amped’s design approach
Over the past four years, we’ve learned what it takes to be “Africa-tough”.
Our customers operate in some of the world’s most demanding environments. Ambient temperatures exceed 40℃; humidity hovers around 90%; clouds, dust, and sand are ever-present. We designed the WOWsolar™ Hub to be heat-proof, dust-proof, and splash-proof. The heart of the mechanical design is a steel tube and a metal heat sink base (go ahead and stand on it if you’d like!). Our power electronics are robust to reverse connections, short circuits, grid conflict scenarios, and over-current conditions.
Traction
Our approach is working
Earning consistent revenue, even during COVID, with $2.7 million revenue in 2021.
Over 130,000 customers have chosen the WOWsolar™ brand, through our B2B sales channels. Our existing product family (WOWsolar™ Lighting Kits and WOWsolar™ Television Kits) has delivered over $11M cumulative revenue to date.
Solar lighting & television milestones
Existing partners are growing quickly: Malawi channel doubled in the last 12 months.
WOWsolar™ is a trusted product: New deal in Uganda for 100,000 solar kits.
New regions with rapid traction: Mozambique partner went from pilot to $390K order in just 6 months.
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Anticipated WOWsolar™ Hub sales
over the coming ten years
* Click here for important information regarding Financial Projections which are not guaranteed.
Customers
Amped has an established sales network: 16 partners in 23 countries
Our B2B model means we can expand quickly into additional weak grid regions. Wherever we find a partner, we can start selling the WOWsolar™ Hub!
End-user profile #1: Business Owner
Today, businesses need to run fuel generators to power freezers, fridges, pumps, sewings machines, drill presses, etc. They spend up to $6 daily to keep a generator running. Using a WOWsolar™ Hub would save money from day one.
End-user profile #2: Family
Families like to run a fridge, fan, television, and lamps. Average household fuel spending for generators is around $48 per month on top of the grid. They can save immediately upon switching to a solar generator.
Testimonials
Business model
One stop shopping: product design, manufacturing, logistics, and support
Amped has a full-stack product design team, including firmware development, mechanical design, and power electronics: this is our innovation engine. We sell our solar products through an established (and growing) network of B2B distributors.
To ensure excellent after-sales service and branding, we run the “Amplify” program: an online and in-person training platform for sales agents to become “Amped Certified”, driving customer loyalty.
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Amped’s manufacturing advantage:
extended credit and massive scale.
We have a longstanding, deep relationship with our final assembly vendor in China who is also an equity investor. As a result, we receive extended credit terms and priority in the production queue. They are capable of massive scale, having gone from zero to 1,000,000+ units annually for a wide range of complex products sold through Walmart.
Market
People already spend over $40 billion on generator fuel every year
Competition
We focus on product features that enable rapid scale-up
There are basically two kinds of solar solutions in the market today: cheap solar inverters that break within a year, and high-end inverters that are too expensive.
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Amped takes a different approach
Rapid scaling requires an affordable product with extremely low failure rates.
Our solar generator is built from scratch to be reliable and easy to install. It's sealed and safe to short circuits, reversed wires, high temperatures, and grid-conflicts. Our affordability unlocks an even larger market of users who cannot afford a fuel generator today.
Vision and strategy
It's time to launch the green power revolution
1. The WOWsolar™ Hub is ready
We released our Beta in December 2021. The first production build is scheduled for Q4 2022.
2. Customers are ready
The waitlist is growing for container-sized orders.
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PLUS, there's extra perks
in place to accelerate sales:
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Matching funds
Amped closed a low-interest debt facility of $6 million from the European Development Finance Institution (EDFI). That means any capital raised on Republic will in essence be doubled by EDFI.
The cherry on top…Carbon Credits
Amped can earn around $100 in carbon credits for every Solar Generator we install. With next year's target of 3 million solar generators, that is $300 million.Governments are supporting us
The Nigerian government is targeting universal electrification by 2030. Yet, it cannot achieve its goal through national grid expansion alone. The government is offering rebates of $300 for every WOWsolar Hub that is installed.
Impact
Together, we can achieve 100% clean energy access
Access to electricity should be a basic human right and is a foundational element of any plan for improving incomes, educational opportunities and providing access to medical care. And yet, there are still billions of people globally who don’t have power.
Amped’s goal is to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #7: to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030.
Funding
Backed by energy giants, microfinance banks, and impact investors
Our existing investors include microfinance bank FINCA; energy companies Engie and Schneider Electric; impact investors Alpha Mundi and Global Partnerships; and our factory in Asia. We raised $3.5 million in 2019 and another $6 million non-dilutive capital in 2021 from the European development finance institution to fuel growth of our small solar kits.
Investor quotes
Founders
Over 42 years of experience building and selling solar-powered products
We are a team of experienced product designers, sales professionals, and serial entrepreneurs. Our team previously developed the following award-winning, patented products: efficient cookstoves for BioLite, high-end bicycle lights for Specialized, and motorcycle starter batteries for Shorai. Now, we're applying our expertise to solving the global energy crisis.
Summary
National grids in emerging markets are in crisis. South Africa’s grid is down 50% of the time. Nigeria’s fuel shortages are the new normal and so are the skyrocketing fuel costs. Everyone is desperate for a solution.
Amped's clean, ruggedized solar generators provide seamless power without trashing the planet. Built to withstand extreme temperatures and dirty settings daily for over 3 years, our solar generator can finally displace fuel generators and at a lower levelized cost.
Let’s make fuel generators a thing of the past. Join us!