Biomassters, founded in 2020 by Claudia Muench and Jan de Graaf, has raised an undisclosed funding round from Acumen to scale its operations.
The Kigali-based startup, which expanded with a UK subsidiary in 2022, focuses on producing pellet fuel from waste materials, providing affordable, low-carbon cooking solutions for households in Rwanda and beyond.
Acumen’s investment will facilitate the construction of a new fuel production facility, expand stove distribution networks, and target 25,000 households and businesses with sustainable cooking alternatives.
This investment is a synergy between Acumen’s vision of empowering social impact through sustainable ventures and Biomassters’ mission to reduce carbon emissions and deforestation.
This milestone reflects Rwanda’s broader energy goals, which include reducing biomass reliance—a focus since the early 2000s through strategies like the Biomass Energy Strategy (BEST). Complementary efforts, such as promoting pellet use and biogas, showcase the country’s commitment to modern energy transitions.
Biomassters joins the ranks of other African cleantech innovators like PowerUP in Uganda and PayGo Energy in Kenya, demonstrating the continent’s leadership in clean cooking technology.
Before now, the startup has received backing from Clean Cooking Alliance and EEP Africa, both of which are aligned with clean energy initiatives. However, the specific dates and amounts for these funding rounds remain undisclosed.
In Muench’s words: “We want to make sure that everyone can afford to cook. Cooking is not optional.” highlighting their resolve to make modern cooking accessible to all.
