Cambridge University spin-off Eight19 has today revealed the launch of Azuri Technologies Limited, which will be used to develop the company’s Indigo ‘pay-as-you-go’ solar technology for off-grid markets.
Indigo, which has been developed over the last year, works by offering a pay-as-you-go solar option for customers in emerging markets. Users pay US$1 a week using scratch cards for the system, which consists of a battery, a solar panel, LED lights, and a mobile phone charger.
Indigo is currently deployed in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Sudan, Uganda and South Africa; Azuri will now work to expand the Indigo product family and market reach while Eight19 continues to concentrate on development of its printed plastic solar technology.
The entire Indigo activity has transferred to Azuri and Simon Bransfield-Garth will remain Chief Executive Officer of both companies at the headquarters in Cambridge.
“This is tremendous news for both Eight19 and Azuri, their respective customers, suppliers and shareholders. The separation of the businesses reflects the maturing of the Indigo product range, allowing Azuri to develop Indigo in the best possible way to help address the needs of off-grid customers in emerging markets while allowing Eight19 to focus on its core activity of developing printed plastic solar technology. We are very excited about the future for organic electronics with Eight19 and for the continued success of Indigo with Azuri,” Bransfield-Garth explained.