Global investment firm Lightrock has officially launched ‘Accelerate7,’ a new $500 million fund dedicated to scaling growth-stage startups in the clean energy, energy access, and sustainable mobility sectors across the Global South.

The fund targets critical development gaps by investing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. With cheque sizes ranging from $10 million to $50 million, Accelerate7 is focusing its capital on four primary sectors: electricity access, clean cooking, electric mobility, and advanced energy storage solutions.

Driving Economic Growth through Energy Access

The initiative aims to address both environmental challenges and economic disparities in developing economies.

“Across the Global South, access to reliable energy and modern cooking solutions remains one of the clearest drivers of economic opportunity and improved quality of life,” said Ademidun Edosomwan, Partner and Head of Energy Access at Lightrock.

The fund has already deployed capital into several high-growth companies, including rooftop solar platform SolarSquare, off-grid solar provider Sun King, commercial electric vehicle manufacturer Euler Motors, and biodigester developer ATEC Global.

Strategic Backing and Global Reach

Accelerate7 has secured major backing from institutional investors and global energy giants, including Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, and LGT. This latest launch pushes Lightrock’s total capital dedicated to climate, energy transition, and energy access to nearly $2 billion.

Expanding Footprint in India

The launch reinforces Lightrock’s ongoing investment momentum in emerging markets, particularly India. The firm boasts a diverse Indian portfolio, having previously backed prominent startups such as WayCool, DeHaat, Shiprocket, MediBuddy, Porter, and Aye Finance.

Recent major transactions highlight Lightrock’s aggressive deployment strategy in the region:

• August 2025: Agri-tech platform WayCool raised ₹210 crore from Lightrock India.

• March 2026: EV manufacturer Euler Motors secured $47 million in a Series E funding round led by the firm.

With Accelerate7, Lightrock positions itself as a primary institutional catalyst for the clean energy transition across the world’s fastest-growing economies.

By: Sandhya Bharti