Funding Database
Hardest-to-Reach Development Facility – Equity
Current as of: 2026-08-20
Description
The Hardest-to-Reach Development Facility is a vehicle that deploys catalytic capital (equity, mezzanine and debt) to off-grid solar companies to enter into and expand within challenging, under-served markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
Instrument Type
Equity
Preferred funding round/stage for corporate finance
Pre-seed capital
Seed capital
Series A
Carbon finance
Seed capital
Series A
Carbon finance
Preferred funding round/stage for project finance
Pre-development equity
Development equity
Construction equity
Carbon finance
Development equity
Construction equity
Carbon finance
Average exit horizon
Between 5-10 years
Ticket sizes per transaction (EUR)
100,000 - 500,000
500,000 - 1 million
1 million - 3 million
500,000 - 1 million
1 million - 3 million
Currencies used
US Dollars
Local currencies
Local currencies
Eligible market segments
Mini-grids
Stand-alone solar systems
Energy for productive use
Stand-alone solar systems
Energy for productive use
Special requirements pertaining to gender, diversity and local content
Acumen is a member of 2X Global. Applicants that meet or exceed the 2X criteria are especially encouraged to apply:
- 51% women ownership or the business is founded by a woman
- 30% of senior leadership are women or 30% of the board or investment committee are women
- 30-50% of the applicant's workforce are women (depending on sector), with quality employment conditions in place
- Applicant's product(s) or service(s) specifically or disproportionately benefit women
Technical assistance
Technical assistance is provided for free. Acumen provides a variety of support to portfolio companies post-investment, including expertise from Acumen's internal team, fully funded opportunities and reduced rates through external partners. The aim of this support is that companies reach the next level of growth and catalyse additional investment.
Eligible regions under GET.invest mandate
Central Africa
East Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
East Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
Eligible countries under GET.invest mandate
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Chad
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Niger
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Chad
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Niger
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
Instrument Capitalisers
Green Climate Fund
USAID Power Africa
Good Energies Foundation
Osprey Foundation
GEAPP
UKaid FCDO via the Transforming Energy Access Platform
Charles & Lynn Schusterman Foundation
IFC
USAID Power Africa
Good Energies Foundation
Osprey Foundation
GEAPP
UKaid FCDO via the Transforming Energy Access Platform
Charles & Lynn Schusterman Foundation
IFC
Apply
Eligibility criteria
For more information on eligibility criteria, contact the fund manager hereApplication process
For more information on the application process, contact the fund manager hereCurrent status of instrument
ActiveContact
Go to fund websiteHeadquarters
New York, USAOther branches
London, United KingdomMumbai, India
Karachi, Pakistan
Nairobi, Kenya
Accra, Ghana
Islamabad, Pakistan
Bogotá, Colombia
San Francisco, United States
Fund manager
Acumen
About
Acumen is a global non-profit that invests patient capital in businesses whose products and services enable people living in poverty to transform their lives. Founded in 2001, Acumen invests in companies across Africa, Latin America, South Asia and the United States.