Open Access Energy secures $1.8M to scale digital energy trading in South Africa

The oversubscribed seed round will help the startup expand AI-powered platforms for decentralized energy exchange and grid flexibility.

South African startup Open Access Energy (OAE) has raised $1.8 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round, accelerating its mission to modernize electricity trading and infrastructure through digital platforms and AI. The company is developing tools to support South Africa’s growing shift toward decentralized and privately generated power.

Founded in 2021, OAE is the creator of Amptera and Energypro, software platforms that enable Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and municipalities to manage and trade electricity in real time. These tools are designed to increase flexibility in energy delivery, a critical component as the country transitions away from a centralized grid model.

The new investment represents the final close of a round that initially targeted $1.5 million. It follows an earlier $750,000 injection from Factor E Ventures in 2023. That firm returned for the final raise, joined by new backers E3 Capital and Equator VC.

For CEO Gerjo Hoffman, the moment reflects a growing urgency to equip the private energy sector with the digital tools needed to operate in South Africa’s liberalizing market. “The shift towards private energy generation is essential for South Africa’s energy future,” he said. “This funding allows us to scale a technology ecosystem that supports that transformation.”

Backers say OAE’s value lies in its ability to overlay intelligence and transparency onto legacy energy infrastructure. “Open Access Energy provides a critical digital layer that allows renewable power to seamlessly move through current infrastructure,” said Andrew Darge of E3 Capital, who led the firm’s investment. “Scalable tools for wheeling, localized generation and transparent settlement are key to enabling a low-carbon energy future in Africa.”

Equator VC partner Morgan DeFoort echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for smart systems that support energy autonomy. “South Africa’s energy landscape is being reshaped by privately generated and locally distributed clean energy,” he said. “OAE is building the digital backbone for that future, one that connects stakeholders, strengthens operations and drives down emissions.”