KickStart
KickStart International is a nonprofit social enterprise that designs and distributes affordable MoneyMaker human-powered and solar irrigation pumps to 420,000+ smallholder farming families across 17 Sub-Saharan African countries, funded primarily by individual donations and foundation grants with a 9% earned-income stream.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What KickStart does
KickStart International is a US-based 501-C3 nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1991 that designs, manufactures, and distributes affordable human-powered and solar-powered irrigation pumps under the MoneyMaker brand to smallholder farming families across 17 Sub-Saharan African countries. Its core technology is a portfolio of three treadle/hip-operated pumps (MoneyMaker Starter Pump at 2.5 kg and 1 acre/day, Hip Pump at 4.5 kg and 1.25 acres/day, and the flagship Max Pump at 16 kg and up to 2 acres/day) engineered specifically for shallow-well African conditions, with no tools required for assembly, one-season cost recovery, and a one-year warranty. Products are sold through a sustainable commercial supply chain spanning manufacturers, importers, distributors, 270+ agro-dealers, and a network of trained irrigation agents, complemented by partnerships with NGOs, MFIs, banks, SACCOs, and agribusinesses (including COMACO and Simalaha IFC) that provide credit, training, and market access.
The company operates from a San Francisco US office with three regional hubs in Nairobi (Kenya, East Africa), Abuja (Nigeria, West Africa), and Lusaka (Zambia, Southern Africa), and employs 51-100 staff of whom roughly 90% are African. Its business model is a hybrid: 50% of FY2025 revenue ($5.6M total) came from individual donors including the Evergreen Circle monthly giving program, 32% from foundation grants, 9% from earned product sales, with the remainder from corporate and other sources; government funding is under 1%. Pricing to farmers is delivered through direct purchase, partner-financed installment loans (6-9 months, 3-4 month grace), and a usage-based Rent to Try & Buy model launched in 2023. To date KickStart has distributed 405,000+ pumps reaching 420,000+ farming families and reports 1.5M people lifted out of poverty, 400% average on-farm income gains, and recognition from the World Economic Forum, Skoll Foundation, Forbes Impact 30, Stanford Engineering, and the Wharton Lipman Family Prize.
KickStart firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KickStart
- Legal name
- KickStart International
- Website
- https://kickstart.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- KickStart International is a nonprofit social enterprise that designs and distributes affordable MoneyMaker human-powered and solar irrigation pumps to 420,000+ smallholder farming families across 17 Sub-Saharan African countries, funded primarily by individual donations and foundation grants with a 9% earned-income stream.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KickStart industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Irrigation Pumps
- NAICS
- Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)
- SIC
- Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pump Systems & Pumping Stations (Surface, Submersible, Booster) (AFAAACAC), Irrigation Pipe, Tubing & Conveyance (PVC/HDPE Pipe, Layflat Hose, Manifolds) (AFABAHAF)
Keywords
Where KickStart is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
KickStart business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales (Earned Income): Sale of MoneyMaker irrigation pumps and spare parts through commercial supply chain. In FY2025, product sales represented 9% of total revenue ($5.6M total revenue).
- Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals, representing 50% of FY2025 revenue. Includes monthly giving program called Evergreen Circle.
- Foundation Grants: Grants and contributions from foundations and trusts, representing 32% of FY2025 revenue.
- Corporate and Other Income: Includes corporate donations, investments, and other income representing less than 10% of revenue. Less than 1% from government sources.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Direct Purchase |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Financing through Partners |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Rent to Try & Buy |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
KickStart product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KickStart International designs, manufactures, and distributes the MoneyMaker line of affordable, human-powered (and solar) irrigation pumps specifically engineered for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The product range includes the Starter, Hip, and Max treadle pumps, designed to enable year-round irrigated farming for plots of up to 2 acres/day, with the organization delivering pumps and training through a network of 270+ agro-dealers and 350+ development partners across 17 countries.
Product overview
KickStart International designs and distributes award-winning MoneyMaker-branded irrigation technologies for smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa. The product portfolio consists of three human-powered treadle pump models: the MoneyMaker Starter Pump (entry-level, up to 1 acre/day), MoneyMaker Hip Pump (mid-tier, 1.25 acres/day), and MoneyMaker Max Pump (flagship, up to 2 acres/day). All pumps are designed for affordability, ease of use, and weather-resilient farming. The company also offers financing programs including Rent to Try & Buy and partnerships with MFIs, banks, and cooperatives to enable farmer access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MoneyMaker: Award-winning irrigation pump brand including Starter Pump, Hip Pump, and Max Pump models designed for smallholder farmers.
Products and services
- MoneyMaker Starter Pump Newest and most affordable human-powered irrigation pump in the MoneyMaker line. Weighs 2.0 kg, irrigates up to 1.0 acre per day, pumping rate 30 liters/min, 6 m suction depth, 13 m pumping height, and 150 m push distance. Bundled with hosepipes, spray nozzle, and surge chamber for sprinkler use. Built for durability and ease of use without formal training or tools, with a one-year warranty and included spare parts.
- MoneyMaker Hip Pump Mid-sized hip-operated human-powered irrigation pump for small but growing farms. Weighs 4.5 kg, irrigates 1.25 acres per day, pumping rate 40 liters/min. Designed for intuitive operation, durability for harsh environments, and ease of maintenance, with a one-year warranty and included spare parts.
- MoneyMaker Max Pump Best-selling human-powered treadle irrigation pump that converts small vegetable plots into commercial farming businesses. Weighs 16 kg, irrigates up to 2 acres per day (0.8 ha), pumping rate 60 liters/min, 7 m suction depth, 14 m pumping height, and 200 m push distance. Operated through an easy stepping motion, with a one-year warranty and included spare parts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90-100% protection against crop yield loss from drought with adequate water supply
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use KickStart
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
KickStart technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
KickStart partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Adventure ProjectcorePartnership to train and equip new irrigation agents. Recently supported launch of 30 youth-led irrigation businesses in Kenya through the Youth in Pump Business program. Agents rent MoneyMaker pumps and provide on-farm support.
- COMACO (Community Markets for Conservation)corePartnership since 2013 with conservation-oriented agribusiness supporting 300,000+ farmers. COMACO has purchased 2,000+ pumps to distribute to its farmer network. The partnership links irrigation with conservation commitments and premium market access for farmers who protect wildlife and forests.
- Simalaha IFC (Simalaha Incubator Farm Company)coreGrounded Investment Company's subsidiary working in protected game management areas. Purchased 400+ pumps supported by Peace Parks Foundation to shift farmers toward regenerative agriculture and away from poaching. Focus on aloe vera and herbal products for European export markets.
- CARE InternationalminorCollaboration integrating Rent to Try & Buy model with village savings and loan associations in Kenya and Zambia. Enables farmers to access irrigation on credit while creating income streams for agents.
- McKinsey Global InstituteminorResearch partnership providing evidence on irrigation effectiveness. McKinsey report confirms irrigation as one of the most effective drought protection measures with 5-10x benefit-to-cost ratio.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
KickStart competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Valmont Industries: Global leader in mechanized irrigation (center pivot) and infrastructure; led by former Chairman Bob Meaney (KickStart board member via the CIRCLES project). Comparable domain, with overlapping interest in smallholder irrigation but a fundamentally different (industrial) scale of operation.
- Grundfos: Global pump manufacturer with a dedicated CSR/sustainability program targeting water access and smallholder irrigation in developing markets. Comparable pump technology domain, though operating primarily as an industrial pump supplier rather than a smallholder brand.
- Netafim (Orbia): Pioneer of drip irrigation, now part of Orbia, with global smallholder and large-farm offerings. Indirectly competes in irrigation-distribution channels that overlap with KickStart's smallholder customers, especially via NGO/government programs.
- Jain Irrigation Systems: Global incumbent in drip and micro-irrigation with deep presence in India and emerging markets. Provides a benchmark for scaling irrigation solutions to smallholders and competes for institutional/development-agency programs that could otherwise go to KickStart.
- Xylem: Global water-technology company with a significant emerging-market and smallholder water-access portfolio. Adjacent peer given shared focus on irrigation/water access for underserved markets, but at vastly greater scale and broader product breadth.
Others
- One Acre Fund: Large nonprofit serving smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa with inputs, financing, training, and market access. While not a pump manufacturer, it is a key adjacent ecosystem player that distributes irrigation solutions — including competitor pumps — through its farmer network.
Direct peers
- Futurepump: Manufacturer of solar-powered irrigation pumps (SF1, SF2) for smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia. Highly comparable product line to KickStart's MoneyMaker portfolio, with similar shallow-well use cases and a mission-driven, distribution-led GTM in overlapping geographies.
- aQysta: Developer of the Barsha pump (hydro-powered irrigation) and other smallholder irrigation products distributed across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable mission, customer base, and pump product category, with a distinct renewable-energy positioning.
- SunCulture: For-profit social enterprise selling solar-powered irrigation pumps and PAYG financing to smallholder farmers across East Africa. Direct competitor to KickStart's MoneyMaker line, with overlapping target customers, distribution through agro-dealers, and a more capital-intensive solar technology stack.
Emerging players
- Sistema.bio: Mexican/Kenyan social enterprise providing biodigester and smallholder agricultural infrastructure across Latin America and Africa. Comparable mission-driven smallholder GTM, overlapping geographic focus, and adjacent productivity-enhancing hardware, though focused on biogas rather than irrigation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KickStart social profiles
Digital presenceKickStart financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KickStart leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
KickStart funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KickStart M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KickStart
What does KickStart do?
KickStart International designs, manufactures, and distributes the MoneyMaker line of affordable, human-powered (and solar) irrigation pumps specifically engineered for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The product range includes the Starter, Hip, and Max treadle pumps, designed to enable year-round irrigated farming for plots of up to 2 acres/day, with the organization delivering pumps and training through a network of 270+ agro-dealers and 350+ development partners across 17 countries.
Is KickStart a public or private company?
KickStart is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was KickStart founded?
KickStart was founded in 1991. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is KickStart based?
KickStart is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does KickStart make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (Earned Income) is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, foundation Grants and corporate and Other Income.
Who are KickStart's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Valmont Industries, Grundfos, Netafim (Orbia), Jain Irrigation Systems and Xylem. One Acre Fund is listed as an others. Direct peers are Futurepump, aQysta and SunCulture. Sistema.bio is listed as an emerging player.
Does KickStart have an API?
No public API is recorded for KickStart.
What industry is KickStart in?
KickStart's product category is Agricultural Irrigation Pumps. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHANAG, Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets), with a secondary code of AFAAACAC, Pump Systems & Pumping Stations (Surface, Submersible, Booster). Its NAICS code is 33391 and its SIC code is 3523.