Let there be Light

How to enlighten African huts? It was a very special moment, when African-American student Jessica O Matthews attended her aunt’s wedding in Nigeria. While guests celebrated, the power went out. When workers brought in diesel generators, the party resumed, but Jessica worried how unfazed everyone was about the toxic smell. Later, when brainstorming with friends, she thought of a renewable energy soccer ball that charges up as users play. Why did she think about an intelligent soccer ball? Because all boys like to play soccer, especially in Africa.

The Principle of the Intelligent Soccer Ball

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Essentially it was an eco-friendly, portable generator that also serves as sports equipment. Jessica was raising funds through Kickstarter, and after three years developing, in 2011, the prototype of the Sockket was produced. Kids from all over the world embraced the ball. Even two former US presidents – Barack Obama and Bill Clinton – promoted to soccer ball. The energy-harnessing soccer ball could power a lamp for three hours after a half hour of play. Round bout 1,2 billion people have no access to electrictiy. If the kids play during daytime they are producing electricity they need to read and learn in the evening.

Uncharted Play

Today, Jessica has a master in business administration (MBA) from Harvard. She founded together with her friend Uncharted Play the company Her profitable company’s gross margins have doubled year-over-year and she’s raised $7m in investments. She is expanding her company’s reach Uncharted Play by integrating the technology into other items, harnessing kinetic energy and turning it into a source of power. The company has 15 patents based on the tech for its first product and is working on renewable energy solutions in Africa, too.

“For me, it’s not just about what we do, but how we do it. We are trying to democratize technology access.” Jessica O Matthews