Not one but three candidates have won this year's Dutch Business Without Borders award (Ondernemers Zonder Grenzen). One of them is Anton Brunt, whose company is looking for financial investment in his solar-powered street lighting project in Ghana.

The award recognises Dutch entrepreneurs undertaking projects that are sustainable and profitable in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 77 projects were in competition and they were judged by a panel of seasoned investors.

Guido van Hofwegen and Manon de Bruijn were also declared winners of this year's edition. Mr Hofwegen’s company Navaza Water Filters sells water filters to families in Banda Atjeh, Indonesia, in order to make tap water safe to drink. Mrs De Bruijn’s company Feliz! produces rugs from scrap leather and used car tyres.

Acknowledgement
Brunt's company, Instinct Lighting, plans to provide free solar-powered street lighting in Ghana. He plans to mount light boxes with billboards on lampposts. They are intended for Ghanaian companies that want to advertise in public places without street lighting and electricity. The source of energy will be derived from solar panels.

Mr Brunt said that he was very happy at having won the competition. “It’s an acknowledgement for all the hard work we have put in this project.”

Sustainability
He added that he prefers his commercial approach to traditional development aid. “We are a profit-based company, which ensures that we generate revenue for the future, which ensures our survival. If you work with sponsors, it will always be doubtful whether donations will keep coming in. We are more sustainable than development aid organisations. Also, if you work in a commercial manner, you’re sure to produce something people need. Otherwise you wouldn’t sell anything.”

All three winners want to engage in further negotiations with potential investors.
 

Anton Brunt and his colleagues

Photo: Anton Brunt