Stride is a clean energy technology startup headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in providing solar power solutions for households and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. Founded in 2021 in Singapore, Stride quickly expanded its operations to the Vietnamese market with a clear mission: to remove financial barriers—especially the high upfront costs—that often discourage individuals from adopting renewable energy. To address this challenge, the company has developed a fintech platform integrated with solar engineering solutions, focusing on flexible installment-based payment models for end users.
Unlike traditional solar equipment sales models that require significant initial investment from customers, Stride integrates financial technology to offer a “pay-as-you-can” solution, which comes with complimentary system insurance and regular quality inspections. A key feature of this model is its ability to connect consumers with a network of trusted installation partners, ensuring technical quality and operational safety. In the context of rising electricity demand in Vietnam, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, this approach not only expands access to solar energy but also encourages the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources.
Stride‘s technology solution centers on an in-house credit assessment platform that determines appropriate installment plans while offering real-time system performance monitoring. Although the company has not disclosed its specific tech stack, combining fintech and cleantech into a “pay-as-you-go” model requires robust data accuracy, reliability, personal information security, and compatibility with each household’s energy monitoring infrastructure. This is especially important given that many peri-urban households lack access to formal credit channels, making a user-friendly, transparent, and easy-to-understand interface a critical component of the product experience.
The feasibility and social impact of this model have drawn attention from international investors. In May 2023, Stride successfully raised funding from Clime Capital through the SEACEF I fund and from Touchstone Partners. In 2024, the startup secured a debt investment from Trine, a Sweden-based investment platform that supports solar energy businesses in emerging markets. These investments have enabled Stride to expand its installation and operational infrastructure while enhancing its capacity to research and develop financial solutions tailored to the Vietnamese market.
At the P4G Vietnam Summit 2025, Stride was selected as one of the featured representatives to showcase its “pay-as-you-go solar energy” model for households and small businesses. This served not only as a valuable communication opportunity but also as a milestone in the company’s journey to connect with international organizations in the field of sustainable energy.
Stride‘s story offers valuable lessons for technology startups in the green transition space. First, integrating fintech with energy solutions must be grounded in a deep understanding of local consumer behavior, rather than simply applying foreign models. Second, investing in user experience, technical reliability, and a solid partner network is essential to building trust in the market. Finally, in a capital-intensive sector like energy, accessing green finance—both equity and debt—is crucial for scaling and delivering meaningful impact.
Stride’s early success demonstrates a viable path for leveraging technology to break down barriers to clean energy access in Vietnam. It stands as a compelling example of how a startup can harness technology not only to develop innovative products but also to design an inclusive business model aligned with local needs and purchasing power—particularly in the context of a global energy transition.
