InspiraFarms Cooling secures EUR 1M to pilot its cooling as-a-Service model | TechMoran
Summary
Access to quality cooling is fundamental for clients to reduce post-harvest losses, and sell more, at better prices, with lower costs, bringing both economic and climate benefits. This support from CEI and existing investors KawiSafi and Factor[E] reflects a shared commitment to sustainable impact within the fresh produce industry.InspiraFarms Cooling designs, develops, and installs efficient precooling and cold chain technology for fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, and animal protein supply chains in Africa and other emerging markets. These cooling solutions significantly cut energy costs, reduce food losses extend shelf life, and help customers sell more, by bridging the gap in quality and standards missed by producers for entering various markets. Additionally, without adequate cooling, many African producers and exporters miss out on high-value global markets with stringent export standards for food quality, size, and safety, all directly linked to cooling.To help solve this, InspiraFarms Cooling prioritizes sustainable and efficient precooling and cold chain technology for agriproducts in Africa and other emerging markets. Therefore, CEI Africas funding will be in support of InspiraFarms Coolings off-grid energy cold storage projects across the continent and is also linked to catalysing additional capital in the form of crowdfunding for energy-efficient cold chain infrastructure.Steven Evers, Member of the Executive Board of CEI Africa, said: Our investment in InspiraFarms Cooling, the first investment under the Crowdlending window of the Foundation, will not only support the growth of the off-grid energy cold-storage sector in sub-Saharan Africa and result in tangible impact for smallholder farmers but will also catalyze private retail investment into the sector through crowdfunding.