Berti Invests in UK Pioneers of Solar Generators, Firefly, Winners of Berti Green Accelerator 2012

 

Berti has made its first investment in one of three winners of the Berti Green Accelerator 2012, Firefly Solar Generators Ltd.

Firefly’s mission is to replace diesel generators with their UK manufactured, in house assembled solar alternatives. Their variety of generators range from the 350W Pyxis Solar Generator, to the 5kVA Cygnus Solar Generator, large enough to power a small village community. They also run an advisory service for events to reduce the carbon footprint; their in house technical team even designs tailor made equipment such as power generating seesaws and bikes.

Social entrepreneur Andy Mead founded Firefly Solar Generators in 2010 following the huge demand for rental equipment through their charitable arm, Firefly CIC, founded two years prior. Firefly has seen exceptional growth and is now the leader in UK solar generators. As visionaries of this sector, they have potential to make a significant dent in the diesel generator market.

Andy was selected as the first Berti Green Accelerator winner, now gaining six months of expert business support from James Caan’s Hamilton Bradshaw Impact Partners.

James Caan explained, “The judges were unanimous in their selection of Firefly. Andy was exceptional and pitched very well. His ability to respond to the intense questioning of the panel was right on point and I have every confidence that through the Accelerator, Andy will lead Firefly to greater heights.”

Michael Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, added “They are down-to-earth guys: they have been in the trenches, and they know what works. Winning the accelerator will help them scale up their processes and grow their market place.”

Berti have now become Firefly’s first external investor, supporting Andy and the team to expand their UK reach with a specified sales team and subsequently expand into new regions and new markets with their pioneering equipment.

Director of Berti, Seth Tabatznik added, “It is obvious that Firefly will be a successful business with significant environmental impact. They have a great leader, a great team and just need the capital and support to reach already established markets with a greener, cost effective alternative. We are very excited to be on board.”

Firefly are now working with Hamilton Bradshaw Impact Partners to help shape their business into one of significant global potential.