Company profile
Rural Spark B.V.
Rural Spark B.V.(Spark), is a Netherlands-based provider of modular solar home systems specialising in off-grid energy access. Founded by Marcel van Heist, Evan Mertens and Harmen van Heist and headquartered in Breda, the company designs plug-and-play solar kits, pay-as-you-go technology, and a digital management portal, which it supplies to local distribution partners rather than selling directly to households. Spark operates through distributors across more than 23 countries, with a stated reach of around two million people in markets including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Madagascar, and maintains a registered Indian subsidiary, Rural Spark Energy India Private Limited, reflecting the company's origins in rural Indian electrification before its shift toward Sub-Saharan Africa. Its financing arm, Spark Invest, extends working-capital support to distribution partners for equipment purchases.
- Sector
- Energy and power / Solar Mini-grids, Solar Home Systems
- Markets
- Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Founded
- 2013
- Ownership
- Private
- Stage
- SME
- Capital raised
- $2.3m
- Employees
- 11-50
- Business model
- B2B2C, B2B Manufacturing
Products and services
Modular Solar Home Systems (plug-and-play kits), Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Technology, Digital Distribution-Management Portal, Spark Invest, Spark Catalyse & Spark Connect
Transactions
| Date | Transaction | Type | Value | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Aug 2026 | CEI Africa and Swiss Development Cooperation invest EUR 2 million in Spark's operations in sub-Saharan Africa | Venture Capital | $2.3m | Madagascar |
Source: Partner Researchers.