This proved to be an intelligent move as in August 2010 Freeplay Energy was put into administration, and ultimately, liquidated, while still owing the charity significant funding.

FORBES: Kristine Pearson on the Founding and Future of Lifeline Energy

And here is the opening for the next profit niche with a social purpose, says Rory Stear of Freeplay Energy, the company that develops and sells 'wind-up' energy generators best known in the 'wind-up radio'.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Are you ready for Globalisation 2.0?

Lifeline Energy (formerly Freeplay Foundation) addresses energy poverty for women and girls through access to information, education and light.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

The idea of storing energy from a spring in an intermediate electrical form was taken a stage further in Freeplay's clockwork torch.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

This basic idea of storing energy from the spring in an intermediate electrical form was taken a stage further in Freeplay's clockwork torch, which was launched last year.

ECONOMIST: Clockwork technology