Interview Anish Thakkar - Co-founder Sun King

Sun King is an impact-driven company founded by Anish Thakkar and Patrick Walsh, with the goal of bringing solar energy to communities living off the grid. Born out of hands-on experience in India, the company was built around a clear mission: to provide reliable, affordable, and clean energy to remote households in Africa and Asia.Its model is based on three pillars: solar technology tailored to off-grid households, a grassroots distribution network comprising thousands of local agents, and a flexible financing system that allows families to pay for their equipment over time. This approach makes solar energy accessible to households that previously spent significant amounts each year on kerosene or phone top-ups. Sun King now serves tens of millions of people in over 40 countries, with a massive potential market estimated at 1.8 billion people still lacking reliable access to electricity. The company does more than just sell a product: it tangibly improves the safety, health, education, and quality of life for families. Opening up the company’s capital to private equity funds such as General Atlantic, LeapFrog, and M&G has enabled the acceleration of this mission. Beyond capital, these partners bring valuable expertise in financing, data analysis, customer experience, and growth structuring. Their alignment with Sun King’s social and climate mission was a key factor in their selection. In the coming years, Sun King aims to expand its model to new countries and address new essential needs, such as clean cooking, refrigeration, mobility, and financial services. The company plans to use its distribution and financing platform to deliver additional high-impact solutions to the most vulnerable households.