Creslow Energy Solutions secures investment from the Abadali Fund
What's the deal? Creslow Energy Solutions, a Johannesburg-based custom lithium battery manufacturer, has secured investment from the Abadali Fund, managed by Edge GrowthDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → Ventures. The funding will help the Black-owned company scale production and push into international markets.
Founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife team Kriban and Reneka Govender, Creslow grew from a garage startup into an industrial manufacturer serving sectors including mining, logistics, and leisure. Its product line includes advanced traction batteries for forklifts, golf carts, and underground mining locomotives.
The company also developed South Africa's first explosion-proof lithium battery designed for coal mining — a product that helped it stand out in a competitive market.
Why now? The Abadali Fund is part of an economic inclusion programme established by South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in partnership with J.P. Morgan. It targets high-potential, Black-owned businesses that strengthen the country's industrial base.
Philani Mzila, investment principal at Edge Growth Ventures, pointed to Creslow's strong revenue growth, manufacturing capabilities, and intellectual property as reasons for backing the company. He praised the founders for identifying and entering new markets ahead of competitors.
Timing also matters on the international front. Co-founder Kriban Govender recently completed a strategic trip to China that opened doors in the agricultural equipment sector. Creslow's battery technology has been selected for integration into a new generation of agricultural machinery, with first products expected to launch within months.
What could go wrong? Expanding from a niche domestic operation into global markets brings execution risk. Scaling manufacturing while maintaining quality on bespoke products is notoriously difficult. Creslow will also face stiff competition from established battery makers, particularly Chinese firms that dominate lithium battery supply chains.
Dependence on a single fund tied to a government programme could also limit flexibility if political or policy priorities shift.
The signal: Creslow's trajectory reflects growing investor interest in African cleantech manufacturing — not just as an import market, but as a source of innovation. The deal also highlights how targeted inclusion funds can channel capital toward founders who might otherwise struggle to access growth financing.
With green economy transitions accelerating worldwide, locally developed battery technology that solves specific industrial problems — like explosion-proof cells for mining — could find demand well beyond South Africa's borders.
