What Simusolar does

Simusolar (legal entity Tulima Solar Ltd, incorporated in Uganda) is a private for-profit company that designs, distributes, and finances solar-powered water pumping and agricultural processing equipment for smallholder farmers and rural businesses in East Africa, with operational headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The company's hardware portfolio spans two product families: the 'Kilimo' line of solar water pumps (six surface models and six submersible models covering extraction depths from surface water to 140m boreholes) and the 'VUNA' line of solar processing machines (milling, hulling, chaff cutting, and threshing). All systems are sold as complete off-grid kits including solar PV panels, a proprietary 'Smart Control Box' for power optimization and pump protection, and on processing machines, a 100Ah 48V battery providing 2–4 hours of backup operation. Pricing is quote-based with submersible pump systems starting around 4,500,000 UGX (~$1,200), bundled with a 2-year warranty.

Simusolar monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales, complemented by a 22-month equipment financing program that lets farmers pay in monthly installments offset by displaced diesel fuel costs, plus installation and after-sales services. Distribution is anchored by 10 regional offices — 9 across Tanzania (Dar es Salaam HQ plus Iringa, Arusha, Dodoma, Njombe, Morogoro, Mwanza, Musoma, Mbeya) and one in Mbarara, Uganda — supported by an active distributor partnership program recruiting local agents for asset-light expansion. Marketing relies on educational blog content, WhatsApp-based customer engagement, free farm surveys, and referrals from a deep impact-investor and development-partner ecosystem including Acumen, Kiva, USAID, DOEN Foundation, EDFI ElectriFI, KfW DEG, GSMA Innovation Fund, SNV, Energy 4 Impact, CLASP, Efficiency for Access, Miller Center, SEVIA, Byne Ventures, and Chroma Impact.

The company reports serving 10,000+ farmers cumulatively since 2016, with an average 98% reported income increase among customers and case-study yield improvements of up to 300% (e.g., a maize farmer raising output from 800 kg to 2,400 kg per season). Founded in 2014/2016 by Marianne Walpert and Michael Kuntz, Simusolar has raised roughly $2.5M in disclosed funding across 6+ rounds through early 2025, with headquarters at 9 Eyasi Road in Dar es Salaam and a separately registered San Francisco mailing address. The business remains early-stage with 11–50 employees, no disclosed revenue, and a primary customer base of SMB smallholders rather than enterprise accounts.

Name

Simusolar

Legal name

Tulima Solar Ltd

Website

https://simusolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simusolar (Tulima Solar Ltd) sells and finances solar-powered water pumps and agricultural processing machines to smallholder farmers across Tanzania and Uganda, distributing through 10 regional offices and an impact-investor-backed pay-over-22-months model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Solar Equipment

NAICS

Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing (333996), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)

akta.pro primary industry

Pump Systems & Pumping Stations (Surface, Submersible, Booster) (AFAAACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pump, Well & Booster System Service for Irrigation (HSAIAEAI)

Keywords

• Solar water pumps
• Solar irrigation systems
• Agricultural processing machines
• Off-grid solar equipment
• Farm solar solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Solar Water Pump Sales: One-time sale of complete solar pumping systems including pump, solar panels, wiring, piping, and smart control box. Revenue recognized at point of sale with optional financing.
2. Agricultural Processing Machine Sales: Sale of solar-powered processing equipment including milling machines, hulling machines, chaff cutters, and threshing machines. Complete off-grid kits with panels and battery backup.
3. Equipment Financing: 22-month financing program enabling farmers to pay in monthly installments. Savings from eliminated fuel costs help cover monthly payments.
4. Installation and Support Services: Professional installation, system design, and ongoing maintenance services provided alongside equipment sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Simusolar sells and finances solar-powered water pumping systems (surface and submersible pumps) and solar-powered agricultural processing machines (milling, hulling, chaff cutting, threshing) for smallholder farmers and small businesses in East Africa. The company delivers complete off-grid kits that include solar panels, smart control boxes, batteries, and installation services, with flexible 22-month financing to make the equipment accessible.

Product overview

Simusolar offers a comprehensive portfolio of solar-powered agricultural solutions organized into two main product lines: Solar Water Pumps and Agricultural Processing Machines. The Solar Water Pump portfolio includes Surface Pumps (PK310: Kilimo Kwanza, PJ550: KILIMO PESA, PJ480: KILIMO JIWEZESHE, PJ630: KILIMO BORA, PJ390: KILIMO MASIKA, PJ370: KILIMO FAIDIKA) for extraction from rivers, ponds, lakes, and shallow wells; and Submersible Pumps (PK 440: KILIMO TIJA, PK: 930 KILIMO KINA, PK 540: KILIMO CHEMCHEM, PK320: KILIMO TOSHA, PK520: KILIMO FURSA, PK470: KILIMO MTO) for deep water extraction from boreholes and deep wells. The Agricultural Processing Machines line includes the VUNA SOLAR MILLING MACHINE, VUNA SOLAR HULLING MACHINE, VUNA SOLAR CHAFF CUTTER, and VUNA SOLAR THRESHING MACHINE for post-harvest value addition. All products come as complete off-grid kits with solar panels, smart control boxes, and include 2-year warranties. The company provides flexible financing options and operates regional offices across Uganda and Tanzania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kilimo Kwanza: Surface pump water system for shallow water extraction from rivers, ponds, and lakes near the surface.
• Kilimo Pesa
• Kilimo Jiwezeshe
• Kilimo Bora
• Kilimo Masika
• Kilimo Faidika
• Kilimo TjA
• Kilimo Kina
• Kilimo Chemchem
• Kilimo Mto
• Kilimo Tosha
• Kilimo Fursa
• VUNA Solar Milling Machine
• VUNA Solar Hulling Machine
• VUNA Solar Chaff Cutter
• VUNA Solar Threshing Machine

Products and services

• Solar Surface Pumps (Kilimo series) Solar-powered surface water pump systems for extracting water from rivers, ponds, lakes, and shallow wells. The line includes Kilimo Kwanza (942-1,170 L/hr), Kilimo Pesa (1,227-9,800 L/hr), Kilimo Jiwezeshe (14,768-36,000 L/hr, commercial-grade), Kilimo Bora (1,090-4,800 L/hr, 3-5 acres), Kilimo Masika (19,414-55,000 L/hr, industrial-grade), and Kilimo Faidika (3,840-13,000 L/hr). Complete kits include pump, solar panels, wiring, piping, and smart control box, with 2-year warranty. Sold to smallholder farmers for irrigation.
• Solar Submersible Pumps (Kilimo series) Solar-powered submersible pump systems for deep water extraction from boreholes, deep hand-dug wells, and large lakes or dams. The line includes Kilimo TjA (1,453-3,482 L/hr), Kilimo Kina (1,920-7,298 L/hr, 50-140m head, up to 12 acres), Kilimo Chemchem (1,094-11,500 L/hr, up to 12 acres), Kilimo Tosha (800-2,400 L/hr, easy-deploy), Kilimo Fursa (600-1,600 L/hr), and Kilimo Mto. Complete kits include solar panels, smart control box, and 2-year warranty. Sold to smallholder farmers for irrigation.
• Solar Agricultural Processing Machines (VUNA series) Solar-powered off-grid machines for on-farm value addition, including VUNA Solar Milling Machine (80-250 kg/hr), VUNA Solar Hulling Machine (60-150 kg/hr), VUNA Solar Chaff Cutter (up to 1,000 kg/hr), and VUNA Solar Threshing Machine (1,500-2,000 kg/hr). Complete kits include solar panels, 100Ah 48V batteries providing 2-4 hours of operation after sunset or in cloudy conditions, and dedicated battery chargers. Sold to farmers and agro-processors to add value to harvest on-site and reduce transport costs.
• Equipment Installation and Support Services Professional installation, free farm surveys and consultations, system design, and ongoing maintenance services provided alongside equipment sales. Installation typically takes 1-3 days. Provided to customers purchasing solar pump and processing systems across Tanzania and Uganda.
• 22-Month Equipment Financing Program Flexible monthly installment financing program enabling farmers to pay for solar equipment over 22 months, with fuel cost savings offsetting monthly payments. Makes solar technology accessible to smallholder farmers who cannot afford upfront costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% average income increase for farmers using solar irrigation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CLASPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean Cooking Leadership Collaborative working to accelerate development and deployment of clean cooking solutions. Partnership supports Simusolar's clean energy mission.
• Efficiency for AccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy access in developing countries. Supports development and deployment of efficient off-grid technologies.
• SNVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization working in agriculture, energy, and water sectors across Asia and Africa. Partnership supports agricultural development programs.
• Miller CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial entrepreneurship accelerator associated with Santa Clara University. Provides mentorship and support to promising ventures.
• SEVIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on sustainable development and agricultural interventions in East Africa.
• Energy 4 ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit supporting the growth of sustainable energy markets in Africa. Provides financing and business development support to energy enterprises.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• M-KOPA: Kenya-based pay-as-you-go solar home systems provider with deep East African distribution and a financing-led model that overlaps with Simusolar's 22-month installment approach, though focused on lighting and home power rather than agricultural pumping.
• Zola Electric: Off-grid solar provider serving rural customers in Tanzania and other East African markets. Operates in the same geographies with adjacent off-grid energy offerings, though focused on household and small-commercial power rather than productive-use agriculture.
• Sun King (formerly Greenlight Planet): Large-scale pay-as-you-go solar home systems company with significant East African presence. Comparable on last-mile distribution and off-grid customer financing in the same geographies Simusolar serves, but a broader product focus.
• BBOXX: UK-headquartered solar energy provider operating across multiple African markets with pay-as-you-go distributed solar solutions. Comparable on off-grid customer acquisition and financing in similar geographies; less direct overlap on agricultural pumping.

Broad incumbents

• Grundfos: Global Danish pump manufacturer with a dedicated solar/renewable pumping product line (SQFlex) active in off-grid African markets. Comparable at the product level but operates as a broad incumbent rather than a smallholder-focused specialist.
• Lorentz: German manufacturer of solar pump systems widely deployed in African agriculture and drinking-water applications. Overlaps with Simusolar's core product line but as a global equipment manufacturer selling through distributors rather than as a vertically integrated local operator.

Direct peers

• Davis & Shirtliff: East Africa's leading supplier of water-related equipment (pumps, boreholes, irrigation) with operations across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and beyond. Directly comparable on the pumps and water-solutions side for the regional smallholder and commercial customer base Simusolar serves.
• SunCulture: Kenya-based solar irrigation company serving smallholder farmers with solar water pumps and pay-as-you-go financing across East Africa. The most direct competitor to Simusolar, offering overlapping products, customer segments (smallholder farmers), and a financing-led go-to-market model.
• KickStart International: Non-profit social enterprise that designs, manufactures, and sells the MoneyMaker line of human-powered and solar-powered irrigation pumps for smallholder farmers across East Africa. Comparable customer base, product category, and distribution approach.
• Futurepump: UK and Kenya-based manufacturer of solar irrigation pumps (SF1, SF2) targeted at smallholder farmers in East Africa. Directly comparable product offering and end-customer profile to Simusolar's Kilimo range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/simusolarinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simusolar-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds13 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simusolar