Kenyan startup Keep IT Cool, a trailblazer in sustainable refrigeration solutions, has secured a strategic investment from global impact investor Acumen to accelerate its expansion across Africa. This funding underscores Keep IT Cool’s commitment to addressing food preservation challenges and empowering underserved communities through innovative, sustainable technologies.
Founded in 2021 by Francis Nderitu and Abigail Gachigi, Keep IT Cool has transformed the fish and chicken value chains with its unique approach. The company combines state-of-the-art cooling solutions with its Markiti app, a B2B platform that connects suppliers directly to buyers. By facilitating seamless transactions for shops, outlets, and restaurants, the app enables farmers and fisherfolk to access real-time demand data, reducing waste and improving market access.
With operations in Kenya and Tanzania, Keep IT Cool has achieved remarkable milestones. It has increased the incomes of over 3,600 fisherfolk by 15% and eliminated post-harvest losses within its network. Its growing client base includes 40 supermarkets and over 2,000 small businesses, showcasing the startup’s ability to scale and deliver impactful results.
The company is now constructing a solar-powered cold chain facility, which will boost its storage capacity by sevenfold. This innovative infrastructure will support its diversification into fruits and vegetables, positioning Keep IT Cool to serve over 100,000 farmers and fisherfolk effectively while advancing its sustainability goals.
“Our collaboration with Acumen centers on our shared vision of uplifting underserved African communities,” said Francis Nderitu, Co-founder and Managing Director of Keep IT Cool. “Through this partnership, we aim to boost productivity, improve market access, and minimize waste, ultimately increasing incomes for farmers and fisherfolk.”
Acumen’s investment in Keep IT Cool is part of its Forcibly Displaced People (FDP) Lens Investing Program, an initiative designed to significantly support enterprises in displacement-affected communities. Funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and IKEA Foundation, the program offers both capital and technical assistance to foster sustainable livelihoods for forcibly displaced individuals and their host communities.
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Furthermore, Chris Maranga, who leads Acumen’s efforts in East Africa, highlighted the significance of Keep IT Cool’s mission. “Post-harvest losses remain a critical barrier to food security and economic growth in East Africa. Keep IT Cool’s solar-powered cold storage technology addresses these challenges sustainably, empowering marginalized communities and driving long-term resilience in local markets.”
This investment follows Keep IT Cool’s recognition as a 2024 Earthshot Prize winner, which provided USD 1.21 million to advance its environmental and sustainability initiatives. Earlier this year, the company also secured funding from the Catalyst Fund to support its early-stage growth.
Finally, with Acumen’s backing, Keep IT Cool is poised to scale its impact across the continent, setting new benchmarks in food preservation, community empowerment, and sustainable development. Its innovative solutions and vision for inclusive growth make it a key player in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems.
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