Pollinate Energy, an Australian social enterprise, wins support from Tata Trusts

Pollinate Energy has successfully secured support from Tata Trusts, one of the leading philanthropic organisations in India. This fantastic partnership will support Pollinate Energy to expand their business model for last mile distribution of social impact products in the slums of Lucknow, and continue expansion through Uttar Pradesh – one of the poorest states of India.

Pollinate Energy is one of Australia’s most prominent social enterprises, delivering life-changing products like solar lights and water filters to families living in slums across India.

Currently operating in four Indian cities, Pollinate Energy sell products to people living in makeshift urban slums. The most needed product, the solar light, is environmentally friendly, reduces the harmful effects of kerosene and is significantly cheaper in the long term. People are able to pay off their solar lights over several weeks, having purchased them from a locally employed workforce of salespeople called ‘Pollinators’.

The social enterprise was founded by six young Australians in 2012. in four short years it has sold more than 18,000 products and has impacted the lives of more than 80,000 people.

The support from TATA Trusts will support help Pollinate Energy’s continue work in Lucknow and allow expansion through Uttar Pradesh, reaching hundreds of thousands of people who desperately need these life-changing products.

Alexie Seller, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Pollinate Energy said:

“Partnering with Tata Trusts is a great win for Pollinate, and the Trusts have shown leadership by supporting solutions like ours that aspire to be self-sustaining. The support will go directly to build the growth of our fourth city, Lucknow, which we launched in July 2016. We are honoured to have our work recognised and supported by Tata Trusts and to work with them in our shared mission to eradicate poverty across India.”

Ganesh Neelam, Head – Technology & Innovations for Tata Trusts stated:

“Given the strong connection between reduction of poverty and access to sustainable energy, Tata Trusts support and implement energy projects that are replicable and scalable. Tata Trusts is excited to be working with Pollinate Energy, which continues to drive our mission of assisting communities to access the clean energy services that they deserve.”

Tata Trusts’ Energy portfolio focuses on addressing India’s challenges of providing power on demand and satisfying the energy needs of rural communities. Expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to provide clean energy are crucial parameters that can both encourage growth and improve the country’s environment. Tata Trusts supports interventions where the underserved households

become owners of assets and not just consumers — leading to a holistic eradication of poverty.

About Tata Trusts: www.tatatrusts.org
Tata Trusts is amongst India’s oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations that work in several

areas of community development.

Since its inception, Tata Trusts has played a pioneering role in transforming traditional ideas of philanthropy to make impactful sustainable change in the lives of the communities served. Through direct implementation, co-partnership strategies and grant making, the Trusts support and drive innovation in the areas of education; healthcare and nutrition; rural livelihoods; natural resources management; enhancing civil society and governance and media, arts, crafts and culture.

Tata Trusts continue to be guided by the principles of its Founder, Jamsetji Tata and through his vision of proactive philanthropy, the Trusts catalyse societal development while ensuring that initiatives and interventions have a contemporary relevance to the nation.

About Pollinate Energy: www.pollinateenergy.org
Founded in 2012 by a group of young Australians, Pollinate Energy is an award-winning social enterprise

that brings life-changing products to people who need them the most.

For India’s poor, we are the missing link in the chain, allowing them to access, understand, and afford household products that make daily life better and safer, from solar lanterns to water filters and safer cook stoves.

We do all this whilst creating jobs for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them the skills and tools to generate a sustainable income and a valuable role in supporting their local communities.

Pollinate Energy currently operates in Bangalore (HQ), Hyderabad, Kolkata and Lucknow.