Pegasus Capital Exploring Sustainable Solution Opportunities in Tanzania

Founder and Chairman Craig Cogut Meets with Business and Government Leaders

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Founder and Chairman of Pegasus Capital Advisors Craig Cogut visited the United Republic of Tanzania in February as a guest of East Africa Wellbeing International Company Limited TZ & US (EAWBIC). Joined by a small group of senior management from select portfolio companies, Mr. Cogut held meetings with a number of Tanzanian government ministries, including His Excellency Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice President of The United Republic of Tanzania.

“Tanzania represents an opportunity for Pegasus and its portfolio of companies to create and implement innovative, systemic solutions in the power, waste, water and agricultural sectors,” said Cogut, who emphasized the interest in exploring ‘off-grid’ initiatives in the region.

While in Tanzania, Cogut met with Juliet Kairuki, Executive Director of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), the government agency that works to stimulate and facilitate private sector investments in Tanzania. Said Kairuki, “Tanzania is keen to attract investments from individuals and institutions that carry significant brand identity in the US as this will, no doubt, place Tanzania on credible radar screens for additional investment to enhance job creation and the creation of sector specific artisanal skills.”

The TIC believes working with Pegasus is an important step in that direction. “Craig Cogut and his portfolio companies carry such brand power and we are humbled that they have identified Tanzania as the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to consider bedding its roots. We stand ready to facilitate their investment journey in Tanzania,” said Kairuki.

“It was a pleasure to meet with the TIC and other government officials in Tanzania who are highly receptive to discussing innovative ideas,” said Cogut. “This attitude is fostering impressive entrepreneurship at the local level while also facilitating international investment opportunities,” he added.

As Pegasus seeks to implement sustainable systemic solutions in East Africa, the firm is partnering with EAWBIC. Recently EAWBIC partnered with Helvetic Solar to increase and promote solar power and lighting efficiency in the East Africa region. Through its partnership with Helvetic, EAWBIC can aid companies like Lighting Science Group and ZeroBase in successfully entering the Tanzania market.

“We are extremely honored and privileged to be associated with Pegasus Capital Advisors and its portfolio companies that own cutting edge lighting and solar technologies which intrinsically fit with the need to power Africa and empower Africans,” said EAWBIC Co-Founder Joseph Kahama of the company’s partnership with Pegasus.

About Pegasus Capital Advisors

Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P. is a private equity fund manager that has been providing creative capital and strategic solutions to companies across a variety of industries since 1996. Pegasus partners with management teams of growth companies, with a focus on those that benefit from the business implications of global resource scarcity. Sectors where this trend is most pronounced are food, water, energy, health & wellness and security. Pegasus currently manages approximately $2.0 billion in assets.

About East African Well Being International Company Ltd. TZ & US (EAWBIC)

EAWBIC is a Business Development Services (BDS) provider in East Africa, whose founders have over 50 years of combined experience in the energy and hospitality industries in East Africa and beyond. EAWBIC management is highly networked, skilled and experienced in business development initiatives in the East Africa Region. The company strives to link foreign investors with likeminded local investors in the region focusing on power, energy and the hospitality industries. EAWBIC is committed to wealth creation through clean, sustainable and environmentally responsible investments. The company’s vision is to be the up market brand in BDS provisioning, whilst efficiently and innovatively providing top-notch business advisory services to its esteemed clients. EAWBIC’s approach is first to understand the client’s needs and desires, and evaluate the governing issues surrounding the task. By sufficiently involving the client and relevant stakeholders, the client’s needs and demands are then mapped and integrated with relevant micro and macro governance issues to obtain the right solution. The process revolves around EAWBIC’s core values: Professionalism, Innovativeness, Quality, Reliable Service, and Integrity.

About Helvetic Solar

Helvetic Solar is a pan-African solar energy business with extensive operating experience in East Africa. Helvetic Solar is the pioneer of solar systems in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and other parts of Africa as a whole. Helvetic Solar supplies branded, cutting edge, durable and most affordable solar products in Africa. Our distribution model is like no other company in the region and access to remote parts of Africa is award winning; with over 98 registered resellers of Helvetic Solar branded products in East Africa. Helvetic Solar possesses in-depth knowledge and unrivaled expertise in Africa. Its approach to business is built around creating value for its shareholders, whilst ensuring a genuine and lasting impact on the communities in which it operates.

About Lighting Science Group

Lighting Science Group (OTCQB: LSCG) is a global leader in superior lighting solutions that are environmentally-friendlier and more energy-efficient than traditional lighting products. Lighting Science’s mission is to advance the world’s lighting to exponentially improve the quality of life for all. Lighting Science is committed to unleash the science of light to make people and our planet look, feel, and heal with award-winning, innovative LED lamps and lighting fixtures.

About ZeroBase

ZeroBase is the leading innovator in renewable and hybrid distributed power products, specializing in remote off-grid systems that deliver power to some of the most rugged locations on the planet. ZeroBase solutions reduce the cost and risk of fossil fuel dependence for government and commercial customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense.

The ZeroBase model goes beyond energy access by providing power as a platform that enables the development of a healthy economy. With reliable power as the foundation, communities are able to develop necessary initiatives that stabilize agriculture, security, clean water, education, health care, and communication infrastructure.

Our sustainable model remains financially viable in the absence of subsidies and is scalable as demand increases. Community stabilization through sustainable energy access is our company’s mission and our passion.

About Tanzania Investment Centre

The Tanzania Investment Centre was established in 1997 by the Tanzania Investment Act to be “the Primary Agency of the Government to coordinate, encourage, promote and facilitate investment in Tanzania and to advise the Government on investment policy and related matters.”

TIC’s Functions include: creating and maintaining a positive climate for private sector investment; Providing advice to the Government on investment related matters; Stimulating local and foreign investments; Facilitating foreign and local investors; Stimulating and supporting the growth of Entrepreneurship and SMEs in Tanzania; Providing and disseminating up-to-date information on investment opportunities and incentive available to investors; and monitoring the Tanzania business environment and growth of Foreign Direct Investment in the country.