Partner: Norwegian Society for International Development
Country: Tanzania
Project period: July 2014 – September 2018
Tanzania Renewable Energy Business Incubator (TAREBI I) was established by the IMED Foundation in 2004 with support from the Royal Norwegian Society for Development (Norges Vel) in close cooperation with other partners, MDAs and financial institutions. The objective TAREBI I was to support the creation and development of local micro and small renewable energy companies. The project aims to support clean energy companies that will eventually grow beyond micro and small. In addition to other customized support to incubated enterprises the TAREBI I offered the following value-added support;
- Hands-on support from a full-time experienced incubator manager experienced in supporting renewable energy enterprises
- Individual assistance to develop feasible business models, business and personal development plans (including MAP4life)
- Coaching, and training on negotiation skills, communication skills, marketing and branding strategies, finding and taking good care of customers
- Information on markets and providers of relevant, technology, technical support, information, raw materials, specialized training, etc
- Linkage to appropriate support networks, participation in networking forums and reference from the incubator manager (suppliers, customers, projects, programs, research centers)
- Linkage with well-established entrepreneurs to share good practices and provide ongoing mentoring (each incubatee will be matched with a mentor)
- Office space, meeting and renewable energy enterprises resource at IMED Foundation, where they met clients, mentors, fellow renewable energy entrepreneurs and get information about the market, financiers, trends, technologies, etc
- Linkage to a network with financing institutions/capital providers
- Support (skills development, coaching, mentoring) in developing/writing funding proposals, engaging and working with funders
- Investment support (Selectively seed capital or equity finance from among others
TAREBI supported 15 companies dealing with biomass briquettes, improved cookstoves, solar system retailing, solar system installation, biomass gasification, wind energy, wind-solar hybrid mini-grids, biogas, etc. six companies graduated successfully from the program and have recorded significant performance improvements in turnover, business systems, internal and external compliance, access to growth capital, access to quality business premises and access to large markets. The graduated companies include;
- GALAXY Energy Ltd (solar installation services and distribution of solar appliances) represented by Mr. Saturnin B. Tarimo
- SEPON Ltd (solar installation services and distribution of solar appliances) represented by Mr. Bernard Okech
- NEPERS (Improved cookstoves and pots) represented by Mr. Lumbert Rwebangila
- DOBEA Energy Company Ltd (solar-wind hybrid mini-grid in Singida) represented by Mr. Douglas Kavishe
- AGECO Energy and Construction Ltd (Solar installation services, distribution of solar appliances) represented by Mr. Vincent Mughwai
- Heritage Cottage Ltd (Production and distribution of biomass briquettes) by represented Mr. Sylvester Amasy Mushi
