Footprint Project

What Footprint Project does

Footprint Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 that designs, assembles, and deploys mobile solar microgrid systems for disaster response and community resilience. Headquartered in New Orleans, LA, with operational hubs in Mars Hill and Asheville, NC, the organization maintains a fleet of more than 80 mobile solar microgrid units representing over 300 kW of deployed mobile solar capacity and 4+ mWh of mobile battery storage. Its core technology consists of rapidly deployable solar-plus-battery systems ranging from small phone-charging units up to 80 kW configurations, with products spanning portable solar generators, mobile solar trailers (including the T5 trailer), and the newer "Beehive Microgrid" — a dual-use blue-sky/grey-sky community resilience hub.

Footprint Project serves three primary beneficiary segments: first responders and emergency services, healthcare facilities (via the Power for Health Initiative), and community-based organizations such as food banks, shelters, and schools. Direct field deployments are executed through partnerships with humanitarian organizations including Direct Relief, Convoy of Hope, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, ITDRC, and Smart AID, as well as technology partners such as Schneider Electric, SimpliPhi Power, EcoFlow, and EnerSys. The organization has supported 30+ disaster response and recovery missions since 2018 across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, and Ukraine.

The organization's revenue model is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial. Major funding sources include foundation grants (Direct Relief has donated $250,000 in each of 2023 and 2024), corporate sponsorships and in-kind equipment donations from energy and technology companies, and institutional support from the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. Verizon awarded Footprint Project as one of four innovators sharing a $1 million Disaster Resilience Prize pool. Pricing is not publicly disclosed as units are deployed through partner organizations rather than sold. The organization operates with a small core team of 1–10 employees supplemented by a fractional COO.

Name

Footprint Project

Legal name

Footprint Project

Website

https://footprintproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Footprint Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and deploys mobile solar microgrid systems for disaster response and community resilience, serving first responders, healthcare facilities, and community-based organizations through humanitarian partnerships across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Major Donations: Primary revenue stream from foundation grants and major donor contributions. Direct Relief provided $250,000 for Power for Health Initiative. Funding from Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative commitments. Schneider Electric listed as major supporter.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Product Donations: Corporate partners provide financial support and product donations. SimpliPhi Power donates batteries. EcoFlow generates funds through fundraisers for disaster response.
3. Amazon Rapid Response Technology Systems: Amazon provides rapid response technology systems for disaster response deployments

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Footprint Project designs, assembles, and deploys mobile solar microgrid systems with integrated battery storage for emergency disaster response and long-term community resilience. The nonprofit provides a fleet of 80+ portable solar units ranging from phone-charging generators to 80kW trailer-mounted systems, delivered directly to affected communities, first responders, healthcare facilities, and community-based organizations through grants, donations, and partnerships.

Product overview

Footprint Project operates as a disaster relief nonprofit organization rather than a traditional product company. Its portfolio consists of mobile solar energy systems and microgrids for disaster response, service programs for community resilience building, and open-source tools. The core offerings include Beehive Microgrids (rapidly deployable sustainable infrastructure units), Mobile Solar Trailers (portable solar generators), and Portable Solar Generators (ranging from small phone-charging units to 80kW systems). Supporting services include Community Builds (assembling solar equipment with local partners), Upcycle Energy (repurposing hardware for nonprofits), Responder Training (hands-on solar education), and Battery Library programs. Open-source tools include the DIESEL-to-Solar Transition Tool for viability assessments and published Open Access Files with designs and specifications. The organization has deployed over 80 mobile solar assets across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with 300+ kW of mobile solar deployed to date.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beehive Microgrids: Flexible, rapidly deployable microgrid systems that serve both blue sky (normal) and grey sky (disaster response) needs as renewable energy hubs providing shelter, electricity, clean water, and gathering spaces.

Products and services

• Beehive Microgrid Rapidly deployable, sustainable microgrid system providing communities with flexible infrastructure that serves both normal conditions and disaster response. Provides shelter, electricity, clean water, and gathering space.
• Mobile Solar Trailers Portable solar generator systems mounted on trailers, deployable to disaster zones for emergency power. Can provide lighting, communications, refrigeration, and water filtration.
• Portable Solar Generators Portable and mobile solar plus battery storage systems providing clean energy for disaster response, ranging from small phone-charging units to larger systems for critical facilities.
• DIESEL-to-Solar Transition Tool Beta assessment tool helping field teams rapidly evaluate the viability of solar nanogrids for critical facilities.
• Community Builds Program Collaborative program partnering with local leaders to plan, assemble, and maintain fleets of portable and mobile solar equipment for community resilience, including education and training for student groups and community organizations.
• Upcycle Energy Program Program repurposing new and used-but-functional green infrastructure by distributing to nonprofit and service organizations for climate disaster response or recovery, including free or low-cost solar hardware, technical consultations, and referrals to installers.
• Responder Training Hands-on educational workshops teaching responders how to apply cleaner energy systems to their missions, with participatory training where responders assemble and commission their own turn-key solar generators.
• Battery Library Portable battery lending program providing power stations to communities and organizations during power outages. Established at warehouse locations in Mars Hill, North Carolina.
• Open Access Files Open-source designs including assessment forms, computer-animated designs, and specification sheets published in a shared Google Drive folder for partners and the broader community to download, edit, and improve.
• Western NC Solar Free Store Free equipment distribution initiative in Western North Carolina distributing renewable energy equipment acquired during Hurricane Helene response to support community rebuilding and resilience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80+ mobile solar microgrid units deployed across the United States and Puerto Rico
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Direct ReliefflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Major strategic partner providing $250,000 for Power for Health Initiative to deploy mobile solar microgrids to healthcare facilities. Direct Relief is a humanitarian medical aid organization working to improve health outcomes in disaster-affected communities.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as major supporter and funding partner for Footprint Project's mobile solar microgrid deployments. Schneider Electric provides energy management and automation solutions.
• SimpliPhi PowercoreTechnology or IntegrationBattery technology partner that donates batteries for mobile solar microgrid deployments. SimpliPhi Power manufactures safe, efficient lithium ion battery storage solutions.
• EcoFlowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response non-profit partner that generates funds through fundraising efforts to support Footprint Project's disaster response deployments. EcoFlow is a portable power and clean energy company.
• Convoy of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner for joint deployments. Convoy of Hope is a humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief and community development services.
• MANNA FoodBankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern North Carolina food bank partner receiving mobile solar microgrid deployments to maintain food preservation operations during power outages.
• Mutual Aid Disaster ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner for community relief operations. Mutual Aid Disaster Relief coordinates mutual aid efforts for disaster-affected communities.
• Smart AIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner for emergency relief operations. Smart AID focuses on providing innovative solutions for disaster response and recovery.
• Clinton Global InitiativeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal commitment holder through Clinton Global Initiative's resilience and sustainability initiatives. Provides institutional credibility and network access.
• ITDRC (IT Disaster Resource Center)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical partner for IT infrastructure and disaster response technology integration. ITDRC provides technology solutions for disaster recovery operations.
• Sail Relief TeamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics partner for transporting and deploying mobile solar microgrid units during disaster response operations.
• AZ EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical engineering partner for mobile solar microgrid system design and implementation.
• New Use EnergyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnergy solutions partner for mobile solar and battery storage deployment logistics and distribution.
• Maselli ElectricminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical contracting partner for mobile solar microgrid installation and deployment support.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Goal Zero: Pioneer in portable solar power stations and battery generators (Yeti series) widely used for emergency preparedness, outdoor recreation, and disaster response. Goal Zero's product range, distribution scale, and humanitarian partnerships (e.g., with Direct Relief historically) make it the closest commercial analog to Footprint Project's portable solar generators.
• Jackery: Leading consumer portable power station and solar panel brand (Explorer series) targeting emergency backup, camping, and off-grid use. Rapid commercial growth and consumer-direct distribution make it a key comparable for Footprint Project's portable solar generator product line at higher scale.
• EcoFlow: Commercial manufacturer of portable power stations and solar generators used for emergency, outdoor, and off-grid applications. EcoFlow is also a named partner to Footprint Project, but its product line (DELTA, RIVER series, solar panels) directly competes with Footprint Project's portable solar generators as a paid commercial alternative for emergency power.
• BoxPower: Provider of containerized solar microgrids for remote sites, emergency response, and resilience applications. Closest direct commercial peer to Footprint Project's mobile solar microgrid and Beehive concept, with overlapping target use cases in disaster response and community resilience.
• BioLite: Designs and distributes off-grid energy products including solar home systems and portable power for humanitarian and emergency contexts in emerging markets. Mission-aligned with energy access for vulnerable populations and overlapping use cases with Footprint Project's disaster relief deployments.
• Bluetti: Global portable power station and home backup battery manufacturer (AC200, EB series). Product overlap with Footprint Project's 2-10 kW portable solar generators, particularly in disaster and outage scenarios, makes it a direct product peer.
• Anker SOLIX: Anker's portable power and home backup brand (SOLIX C1000, F3800) targeting emergency backup and outdoor use. Strong consumer distribution and rapid product cadence make it a direct competitor to Footprint Project's portable solar offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Generac: Largest U.S. producer of backup power generators and increasingly of home battery/solar+storage (PWRcell, ecobee integration). Relevant as a broad incumbent in emergency and backup power, currently diesel- and gas-centric but rapidly expanding into clean energy storage, directly adjacent to Footprint Project's mission.

Others

• Mercy Corps: Major humanitarian NGO that deploys emergency response including energy access programs after disasters. Comparable as a peer humanitarian organization engaged in disaster relief, though much larger and broader in scope than Footprint Project's energy-specific focus.

Emerging players

• Scale Microgrid Solutions: Developer and operator of distributed clean microgrid assets for commercial, institutional, and community customers. Adjacent to Footprint Project's community resilience mission but primarily permanent installations for paying customers rather than mobile disaster units.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/footprintproject
• Xx.com/footprintprjct
• Facebookfacebook.com/footprintprjct

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 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 Footprint Project