About The CROWD Working Group

The CROWD Working Group brings together leading grant funders and technical assistance (TA) providers to strengthen how early‑stage and locally led energy access companies are supported across the productive use of renewable energy (PURE) sector. By coordinating efforts, sharing insights, and reducing duplication, CROWD ensures that companies receive the right support at the right time, helping them grow, become investment‑ready, and scale their impact.

Hosted by Energy Saving Trust (co-secretariat for Efficiency for Access) and co-chaired with EEP Africa, the CROWD Working Group is an active, solutions‑driven coalition focused on improving how the sector collaborates.

Why CROWD Exists

Early‑stage companies in the productive use of renewable energy (PURE) sector play a vital role in expanding energy access, yet many face persistent barriers:

• Limited access to grant and technical assistance opportunities

• Repeated, uncoordinated due diligence requirements

• A lack of connections to donors, investors, and follow‑on support

• Challenges for locally-owned and women-led businesses in reaching funders

• Market inefficiencies caused by overlapping grant‑making

CROWD tackles these issues by improving coordination among funders, ensuring support is efficient, complementary, and geared towards long‑term commercial viability.

What We Do

CROWD members work together to:

1. Coordinate Support
   Share information on pipelines, funding opportunities, and upcoming activities to reduce duplication and enhance company readiness for future investment.
2. Improve Learning and Evidence
   Develop shared tools, insights, and data—including a growing portfolio database—to inform better decision-making and sector-wide learning.
3. Collaborate on Support Pathways
   Identify opportunities to “crowd in” additional grants, Technical Assistance, or investment for companies, ensuring continuous and well‑sequenced support throughout a company’s growth journey.

Who We Support

CROWD’s work prioritises companies that are often under‑served by existing funding mechanisms, including:

• Smaller or early‑stage companies (<USD 3m annual revenue)

• Locally–owned businesses operating in African and Asian markets

• Women-led enterprises

• Distributors building trust and demand in last‑mile markets

• Innovators in emerging PURE product categories

These companies are often essential to market creation, rural economic development, and inclusive growth.

Join Us

The CROWD Working Group welcomes organisations that provide funding or technical assistance to energy access companies.

Members commit to:

• Participating in quarterly meetings

• Sharing programme information and planned activities

• Contributing insights, data, and lessons learned

• Collaborating on joint knowledge and communication products

If your programme supports early-stage companies in the energy access sector and you’re interested in joining CROWD, please get in touch with us. Reach out via email – anushka.bhansali@est.org.uk