PowerUP, the Uganda-based electric cooking start-up has announced initial close of its seed round led by Delta40, the Nairobi-based venture studio and VC fund championing inclusive climate ventures with participation from Autodesk Foundation’s investment and pro bono support.
PowerUp is a clean-tech product development company focused on building the best and most appropriate products for customers in low Income contexts. PowerUP’s products helps primarily women customers cook faster, cheaper, and with less carbon emissions – giving them more control of their time, finances, and health.
PowerUP’s CEO Kato Kibuka shares his vision, stating, “Our electric cooking solutions will save money, save time, and avoid harmful fumes for millions, transforming the way cooking is done.”
The startup aims to transform cooking habits in Africa, introducing households to a new era of clean and efficient electric cooking.
The company has developed smart-metered PAYGO electric stoves tailored for diverse African markets. These solutions have brought cleaner cooking to over 40,000 homes across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Ghana.
With the seed funding,PowerUP intends to expand its distribution networks, enhance its data platform, and introduce a shared carbon program.
The company also wants to launch a range of electric stoves later this year, catering to the diverse cooking styles prevalent across Africa.
The company aims to leverage data to digitalize its carbon credit program, creating a more sustainable and impactful ecosystem.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 3.2 million people die prematurely each year due to illnesses linked to household air pollution from traditional cooking methods. This silent crisis disproportionately affects women and children.
PowerUP’s clean cooking solutions not only revolutionize culinary practices but also promise to save lives and mitigate climate change.