Investment Overview
The Opportunity
Chargebyte is raising $500,000 in seed funding to deploy 100 solar-hybrid charging stations across Kenya and Rwanda, establish R&D operations in South Africa and Nigeria, and activate marketing campaigns to drive user adoption and government partnerships. This investment will position Chargebyte as the leading Made-in-Africa smart charging infrastructure for devices, and the only impact and social awareness advertising platform serving unconnected communities.
Use of Funds Breakdown
| Category | Amount (USD) | % of Total | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Production | $225,000 | 45% | 100 hybrid charging stations |
| Software & Product Development | $60,000 | 12% | Mobile app, IoT dashboard, payment integrations |
| R&D (South Africa & Nigeria) | $35,000 | 7% | Market testing, regulatory alignment, payment rails |
| Operations & Deployment | $100,000 | 20% | Installation, training, field operations |
| Marketing, Awareness & PR | $50,000 | 10% | Community activations, digital marketing, B2B/B2G outreach |
| Government Partnership Expansion | $15,000 | 3% | RFP development, compliance, pilot programs |
| Working Capital & Contingency | $15,000 | 3% | Buffer for currency fluctuations, unforeseen costs |
| TOTAL | $500,000 | 100% |
Detailed Budget Narrative
Hardware Production — $225,000 (45%)
100 hybrid Chargebyte stations deployed across Kenya and Rwanda. Each station costs approximately $1,800-$3,200 to manufacture locally.
- Solar panels (200-300W hybrid system) with grid backup
- Battery storage (LiFePO4, 2-4kWh capacity)
- Multi-port charging system (USB-A, USB-C, wireless)
- WiFi router and 4G/5G connectivity module
- 32-inch impact content display screen
- IoT sensors for real-time monitoring
- Weather-resistant enclosure for African conditions
Software & Product Development — $60,000 (12%)
- Mobile App ($20,000): iOS/Android apps for station discovery, payments, loyalty programs
- IoT Dashboard ($15,000): Real-time station monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts
- Payment Integrations ($12,500): M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, USSD, cards
- Impact Platform ($7,500): Automated reporting for B2G partners and advertisers
- API Development ($5,000): Third-party integrations for government portals
R&D in South Africa & Nigeria — $35,000 (7%)
- South Africa Testing ($17,500): 3-5 pilot stations in Johannesburg/Cape Town
- Nigeria Market Research ($17,500): 3-5 pilot stations in Lagos/Abuja
- Objectives: Test payment acceptance rates, regulatory requirements, user feedback, local partnerships
Expected Outcome: Proven expansion playbook for rollout across 5-7 African countries.
Operations & Field Deployment — $100,000 (20%)
- Installation & Commissioning ($20,000): Field technicians, transportation, site prep
- Host Business Training ($7,500): Onboarding materials and training sessions
- Admin Field Operations & Team ($65,000): Regional managers, maintenance technicians
- Logistics ($7,500): Vehicle leasing, fuel, last-mile delivery
Marketing, Awareness & Activation — $50,000 (10%)
- Community Activations ($15,000): Launch events, free charging days, influencer partnerships
- Digital Marketing ($10,000): Social media ads, Google Ads, SEO, content marketing
- Location-Based Awareness ($7,500): Physical signage, QR campaigns, radio spots
- B2B & B2G Onboarding ($10,000): Sales collateral, partnership decks, site visits
- PR & Media Relations ($5,000): Press releases, media interviews, impact storytelling
- Impact Content Production ($2,500): Educational videos, health information graphics
Government Partnership Expansion — $15,000 (3%)
- RFP Response Development ($8,000): Professional tender writers, technical documentation
- Pilot Program Facilitation ($5,000): Free pilot deployments (3-5 stations)
- Government Relations ($1,000): Conference attendance, ministry presentations
- Impact Reporting Tools ($1,000): Customized dashboards for government partners
Working Capital & Contingency — $15,000 (3%)
Buffer for currency fluctuations (USD/KES/RWF), supply chain delays, regulatory fees, insurance, and emergency repairs. Ensures operational continuity during critical first 12 months.
Revenue Model & Realistic ROI
Revenue Drivers (Year 1-2)
1. B2C End-User Charging (Primary): $0.30-$0.80 per session, 15-30 sessions/station/day
2. B2B2C Host Partnerships (Primary): 20-30% revenue share or $50-$100 flat monthly fee
3. B2G2C Government Contracts (Growth Driver): Large-scale deployments with 3-5 year terms
4. Impact-Only Advertising (Secondary): $500-$2,000 per campaign/month (Year 2+)
Financial Projections (Conservative Scenario)
| Metric | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Stations | 32 | 100-150 | 250-300 |
| Avg Revenue/Station/Month | $300 | $400 | $500 |
| Total Monthly Revenue | $15K-$18K | $50K-$60K | $125K-$150K |
| Total Annual Revenue | $180K-$216K | $600K-$720K | $1.5M-$1.8M |
| Annual Operating Costs | $108K-$130K | $300K-$360K | $600K-$720K |
| Annual Net Profit | $72K-$86K | $300K-$360K | $900K-$1.08M |
| Cumulative Profit | $72K-$86K | $372K-$446K | $1.27M-$1.53M |
| ROI on $500K Investment | 14-17% | 74-89% | 254-305% |
ROI Rationale: The 254-305% cumulative ROI by Year 3 is based on proven unit economics from Kenya operations. Conservative assumptions: 60% stations at medium utilization, 30% at high utilization, 10% at low utilization during ramp-up.
Market Entry & Deployment Plan
📍 Phase 1: Kenya & Rwanda Expansion (Months 1-16)
- Kenya: 32 stations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru
- Rwanda: preparations for deployment in Kigali, Musanze, Huye on-going
- Success Metrics: 70%+ utilization, 85%+ uptime, NPS >40
🔬 Phase 2: R&D in SA & Nigeria (Month 16-24)
- South Africa: 3-5 pilot stations (card payment focus)
- Nigeria: 3-5 pilot stations (mobile money integration)
- Success Metrics: Payment acceptance >80%, regulatory approval
🏛️ Phase 3: Government Partnerships (Month 24-36))
- Submit RFPs to Kenya Counties and Rwanda Ministry of Education
- Launch pilot: 5-10 stations in schools and government offices
- Target: 2-5 government contracts for 50+ stations by Month 36
Investment Highlights
32+ stations live with validated economics
Target - 30-40% cost advantage
B2C, B2B, B2G, & Impact Advertising
SDG 7, 9, 10 impact
Standardized operations, rapid expansion
Emerging Brands In Africa 2024
Invest in Chargebyte
600 million Africans lack reliable power. 300 million remain digitally disconnected.
We're building the infrastructure they need, with a business model that works.
Contact: info@chargebyte.io
Location: Kenya & Rwanda, Expanding Across Africa