Zolair Energy Solutions - Business Pitch

Executive Summary

Zolair Energy Solutions is revolutionizing urban transportation in Africa through our innovative battery swapping network for electric tricycles. By combining affordable zinc-air battery technology with a convenient battery-as-a-service model, we're making electric mobility accessible and practical for commercial drivers while reducing emissions and lowering operating costs.

Investment Opportunity

We're seeking $10 million in Series A funding to scale our battery swapping network across major Nigerian cities, with plans to expand to other African markets. Our business model offers attractive returns through recurring battery subscription revenue and a clear path to profitability within 3 years.

IRR

28.7%

Equity Multiple

3.2x

Payback Period

3.0 years

Year 5 Revenue

$23.7M

The Problem

Africa's urban transportation sector faces multiple challenges:

High Fuel Costs: Gasoline prices have risen dramatically, squeezing driver profits
Air Pollution: Two-stroke and diesel engines contribute significantly to urban air pollution
Limited Charging Infrastructure: Lack of reliable electricity makes traditional EV charging impractical
Upfront Cost Barriers: High initial cost of electric vehicles prevents adoption

These challenges have created an urgent need for affordable, practical electric mobility solutions that work within Africa's unique infrastructure constraints.

Our Solution

Zolair's integrated solution addresses these challenges through:

Battery Swapping Network: Drivers exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under 2 minutes
Zinc-Air Battery Technology: Affordable, safe batteries with materials available locally in Africa
Battery-as-a-Service Model: Drivers pay only for the energy they use, eliminating upfront battery costs
Solar-Integrated Charging: Swapping stations incorporate solar power to reduce grid dependency

This approach makes electric mobility practical and affordable for commercial drivers while creating a scalable, profitable business model for Zolair.

Market Opportunity

The African e-mobility market represents a massive opportunity:

3+ Million: Commercial tricycles operating in Nigeria alone
$1.2 Billion: Annual fuel expenditure by Nigerian tricycle operators
40-50%: Potential operating cost savings for drivers switching to electric
12+ Million: Commercial tricycles across Africa by 2030

Our initial focus is Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, with plans to expand to Ghana, Kenya, and other high-potential markets in years 3-5.

Business Model

Our revenue streams include:

Battery Subscription: Drivers pay $5-7 per day for unlimited battery swaps
E-Tricycle Sales: We sell affordable electric tricycles compatible with our swapping network
Carbon Credits: We monetize emissions reductions through carbon credit markets

This model creates recurring revenue with strong unit economics:

60% Gross Margin: On battery subscription services
15% Gross Margin: On e-tricycle sales
$15,000: Average lifetime value per driver
$800: Customer acquisition cost

Traction & Milestones

We've made significant progress to date:

10,000 Pre-Orders: From commercial tricycle operators across Nigeria
3 Pilot Stations: Operating in Lagos with 50 e-tricycles
$850,000 Invested: In equipment, facilities, and land for expansion
Key Partnerships: With tricycle manufacturers, solar providers, and driver associations

With Series A funding, we'll scale to 50 swapping stations serving 2,000 e-tricycles by end of year 1, and 200+ stations serving 10,000+ e-tricycles by end of year 3.

Team

Babatunde Kayode, Engr

CEO & Co-Founder

Kayode Babatunde, MD/CEO at ZOLAIR Energy, excels in operations management, battery management, and renewable energy systems. He is dedicated to creating solutions that meet the energy needs of SMEs and rural communities in Nigeria.

Azizat Mohammed, MBA

COO

Azizat Mohammed is a Chartered Management Consultant and strategist specializing in economic, political, and social development. Renowned for her governance, financial advisory, and project management skills, she drives positive change.

Rolf Papsdorf, MSc

CTO

President of Zolair Energy Africa, and DAFE Technologie GmbH (Germany) with 35+ years eperience in renewable energy and energy storage technologies, offers unique insights into Africa's energy needs. He is acclaimed internationally for innovation and impact.

David Umar, CFA

CFO

David Umar Gurara, Executive Director at ZOLAIR Energy, is an experienced administrator in both private and public sectors.

Our team combines deep technical expertise in battery technology with strong operational experience in African markets and a proven track record of scaling businesses.

Investment Opportunity

We're seeking $5 million in Series A funding to:

Scale Infrastructure: Build 50 battery swapping stations in Year 1
Expand Fleet: Support deployment of 2,000 e-tricycles
Enhance Technology: Optimize battery design and swapping systems
Grow Team: Expand operations, sales, and technical teams

This investment offers attractive returns:

28.7% IRR: Based on conservative growth projections
3.2x Equity Multiple: Over 5-year investment horizon
Clear Exit Paths: Strategic acquisition or IPO in 5-7 years

Beyond financial returns, this investment creates significant environmental and social impact by reducing emissions, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods for thousands of drivers.