Jessica O. Matthews is a trailblazing Nigerian-American inventor, entrepreneur, and innovator whose work is reshaping the future of sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy. As the founder and CEO of Uncharted Power, Matthews has built a company that revolutionises how infrastructure is developed and managed, combining cutting-edge technology with a mission to empower communities worldwide.

The SOCCKET and Early Innovations

Jessica O. Matthews’ journey as an inventor began at the age of 19 as a junior at Harvard University. Her first groundbreaking invention, the SOCCKET, was an energy-generating soccer ball designed to convert kinetic energy from play into electricity. A mere 30 minutes of play could power an LED light for three hours, providing children in underserved regions with a sustainable light source for studying after dark. This innovative solution was inspired by her experiences in Nigeria, where power outages were common, and diesel generators posed significant health risks.

The success of the SOCCKET led to the founding of Uncharted Power (originally Uncharted Play) in 2011. Initially focused on motion-based renewable energy products like the SOCCKET and the PULSE (an energy-generating jump rope), the company quickly evolved into a broader platform addressing critical infrastructure challenges globally.

Uncharted Power: Transforming Infrastructure

Under Matthews’ leadership, Uncharted Power has grown into an award-winning sustainable infrastructure company that leverages technology to create smart cities. The company’s innovative platform integrates energy generation, transmission, and storage solutions into everyday infrastructure like sidewalks, streets, and water systems. This approach reduces costs and complexity while increasing accessibility to essential services such as power, broadband connectivity, and clean water.

One of Uncharted Power’s flagship projects was a pilot programme in Poughkeepsie, New York, which demonstrated how its smart city platform could solve “last mile” infrastructure challenges. By using modular pavers equipped with IoT (Internet of Things) technology, the company showcased how sustainable infrastructure could be deployed efficiently at scale.

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