Scaling Potential – Strengthening early‑stage support for PURE companies

Early‑stage grants and technical assistance are essential for helping Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) companies test new solutions and reach underserved communities. Yet despite USD 46 million in support deployed to 127 companies, only 22% have progressed to raising commercial capital – revealing a major gap between early pilots and long‑term viability.

Our latest report – researched and authored by Open Capital Advisors and guided by Hannah Mottram, Charlie Miller and Jakub Vrba at Energy Saving Trust – examines how early‑stage support is delivered across the sector and why many companies struggle to advance. Drawing on shared portfolio data of CROWD members – a coalition of early-stage funders improving coordination across the sector – company interviews and stakeholder consultations, it highlights where support is concentrated, where gaps persist, and how programme design influences outcomes.

The findings show that fragmented, one‑off interventions often fail to build cumulative value. However, companies receiving well‑sequenced grants and technical assistance were significantly more likely to secure follow‑on capital. The report also introduces nine company archetypes that explain the recurring patterns behind progression or stagnation.

What’s inside the report

• A data‑driven mapping of grants and technical assistance across sectors and markets
• Evidence on how different support models shape commercial investment outcomes
• Nine archetypes of PURE company journeys, from early pilots to scale attempts
• Seven systemic barriers holding back promising businesses
• Four priority areas to strengthen support design, coordination and targeting

Why this matters

PURE companies are central to strengthening livelihoods, improving productivity and expanding access to reliable energy services. More coherent and better‑timed early‑stage support can help transform promising pilots into investable, scalable businesses. This report provides a practical roadmap for funders, support providers and programmes seeking to build a stronger, more predictable pipeline of companies ready for commercial capital.