London-based investment platform Lightrock has launched Accelerate7, a new USD 500 million fund dedicated to expanding access to clean energy and modern cooking solutions across emerging markets. The initiative is designed to support growth-stage companies working in sectors such as electricity access, clean cooking, electric mobility, and energy storage. The fund will primarily focus on businesses operating in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Accelerate7 aims to address the ongoing global energy access gap that continues to affect hundreds of millions of people. According to Lightrock, approximately 666 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, while more than 2 billion people rely on polluting and hazardous fuels for cooking. The fund aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on ensuring affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy access for all.
The fund will invest between USD 10 million and USD 50 million in growth-stage businesses that have already demonstrated strong operational performance and scalability. Lightrock stated that it is prioritizing commercially viable companies capable of expanding sustainable energy infrastructure while also generating measurable social and environmental impact.
Accelerate7 has already invested in several companies operating in the clean energy and mobility sectors. These include SolarSquare, which provides residential rooftop solar systems; Sun King, known for solar-powered products in emerging markets; Euler Motors, an electric commercial vehicle manufacturer; and ATEC Global, which develops clean cooking and biodigester solutions.
The fund is backed by major global investors and energy companies including Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, and LGT Group. Lightrock said the launch of Accelerate7 increases the firm’s total capital dedicated to climate, energy transition, and energy access initiatives to nearly USD 2 billion. The company emphasized that the new fund reflects growing investor interest in scalable climate and infrastructure solutions across developing economies.
Lightrock also highlighted India as a particularly important market within the fund’s investment strategy due to rising opportunities in renewable energy, electric mobility, financing, manufacturing, and energy storage. The company has previously invested in Indian startups including WayCool, DeHaat, Shiprocket, MediBuddy, Porter, and Aye Finance, strengthening its presence in the country’s startup and sustainability ecosystem.
The launch of Accelerate7 reflects broader global momentum toward energy transition investments as governments, development institutions, and private investors continue seeking solutions that improve energy affordability, reduce emissions, and expand access to modern infrastructure in underserved regions. Lightrock stated that the fund’s long-term objective is to help improve economic opportunity, public health, and environmental sustainability through wider adoption of clean energy technologies.
