Friends Turned Co-Founders Launch Startup To Deliver Clean Energy Solutions To Africa — ‘Think Of It As A Vending Machine For Battery Packs’
Inception: The idea for our startup, Owanga, began to take shape when I, Benedict Owanga, was interning at Paws Between Homes during my sophomore year at Emory University School of Law. A temporary power outage during training made me realize how common such inconveniences are back home in Congo. This sparked conversations with Congolese relatives, revealing the disruptive impact of electricity inconsistencies on their lives. Some recalled classes being canceled, while others studied by candlelight. This inspired me to seek a solution to the dangerous, expensive, and unreliable methods of power generation currently used in the DRC.
Teaming Up With Chinelo Adi: In August 2022, Owanga officially launched with the support of my co-founder, Chinelo Adi, a fellow student at Emory University School of Law. Chinelo was drawn to the clean energy sector after attending a conference on clean energy law. She saw Owanga as an opportunity to contribute to positive change while using her skills and passion for clean energy technology.
DivInc Accelerator Program: Owanga was selected to participate in the DivInc Accelerator Program, supported by Emory Hatchery. This 12-week program provides resources and guidance to early-stage startups involved in equitable and inclusive clean energy transition. We received a $10,000 equity-free grant, $100,000 in products and services, and other valuable resources.
Plug And Play Solution: Owanga offers a “plug and play” solution, providing portable battery packs that can power a one-bedroom home or small business for $2 per day. This pricing was determined through extensive customer feedback to ensure accessibility.
Battery Pack Fueled By Solar Power: Our device is fueled by solar energy, making it cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. We plan to establish strategic locations in 2024 to make the device more accessible, envisioning it as a “vending machine for battery packs.”
Customer Testimonial: Entrepreneurs like Suza Lenge have already experienced the benefits of Owanga’s solar battery packs. Lenge shared in a video that since using Owanga’s solution, he can run his business without electricity worries, leading to increased sales and business growth.
Launching In Africa: We are set to launch our product across Africa in October 2023, following the successful creation of our minimum viable product (MVP) in June 2023. Our goal is to expand our reach to as many areas as possible, providing affordable and clean energy solutions to communities in need.
