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Jessica O. Matthews is the co-founder and CEO of Uncharted Power, an award-winning renewable power company that specializes in harnessing the energy from motion to create entire ecosystems of power for communities around the world, which produced the innovative Soccket, a soccer ball that doubles as a portable power generator. Matthews founded the company when she was only 22 years old. She is not only an inventor but also a venture capitalist.
Matthews' groundbreaking work has garnered numerous accolades. In 2011, she was named as one of Fortune's "10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs" and, in 2015, listed among its "Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs". In 2012, Matthews was honored as the "Scientist of the Year" by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. Additionally, she was recognized by Forbes as one of the "30 Under 30" in Energy and Industry. Most recently, in 2020, she received the prestigious "One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year" Award.
Invited to the White House by President Barack Obama in 2012 to represent small companies for the signing of the America Invents Act, Matthews' influence extends beyond the borders of the U.S. A dual citizen of Nigeria and the U.S.; she was also appointed by the President of Nigeria as an "Ambassador for Entrepreneurship." In 2016, her Series A offering broke the record for funding by a Black female founder with a $7 million investment. Celebrating this achievement, she was selected to ring the NASDAQ opening ceremony bell, representing all Forbes 30 Under 30 alumna.
Matthews' research and career centers around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behavior, and the psychology of self-actualization. In 2021, she was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to the U.S. Department of Energy's Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC). Beyond her role at Uncharted Power, she is also the co-founder and executive director of KDDC, a company focused on developing a hydropower dam project in Nigeria. This work, along with other initiatives, has been instrumental in bringing renewable energy to Nigeria and beyond.
Educated at Harvard University, she holds degrees in Psychology and Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is listed on over 10 patents and patents pending and is frequently invited to speak at events and conferences, such as the Harvard Foundation Science Conference, sharing her unique insights into renewable energy and entrepreneurship.
Videos
Speech Topics
Equitable Innovation: The Uncharted Power Effect
Jessica O. Matthews is no stranger to inequality—both gender and race—when competing in the behemoth industry sectors of renewable energy and technology. But her struggle is not unique. With technology giants such as Facebook, Google and Twitter all with less than a 20% female employee composition, the lack of diversity that is so unreflective of the global population drastically affects the quality, relevance and diversity of innovative ideas that companies can produce. Uncharted Power tackles the intersection between innovation and empowerment through their impact program, UPlift 1 million, where they use their curriculum "Think Out of Bounds" to teach STEM, design thinking, and innovation to underrepresented communities. In this talk, Jessica shares her own struggles to succeed in a traditional industry and empowers audiences to discover ways to combat the intrinsic biases against people who do not adhere to the norm, regardless of industry, as a means to cultivate innovation and creativity from within. A firm believer that innovation is shaped by struggle, Jessica uses her story to show people that look like her what's possible—inspiring audiences to seek out ways to contribute to both positive and sustainable economic development and personal growth.
Power, Redefined: Leadership Acumen From the New Tech Frontier
Successful tech companies with a $7 million Series A Round typically start in Silicon Valley, not Harlem. But why is this the overriding norm? In this talk, Jessica reveals the obstacles she faced in wanting to move her company to Harlem, and discusses why it's important to question the status quo, go against the grain, and create something that works for you—no matter your location, background, or circumstances. Jessica will share how applying her leadership skills in unconventional ways has led to changing the renewable energy game. Her motto "succeed not despite of who you are, but because of who you are unapologetically" encourages individuals and organizations to embrace differences and recognize that personal struggle and challenges can give birth to solutions, if you let them. By leading with the simple understanding of focusing on what you can control, she inspires audiences to start with daily achievable goals and to lead by example.
The Uncharted Path
Join Jessica as she shares how an energy-generating soccer ball launched a global power and data infrastructure company, the trends she believes will drive the industry in the next decade, and the role Uncharted Power's disruptive innovations will play in this new ecosystem.
Innovating During Times of Uncertainty: Turning Adversity Into Vision
Business and government leaders hold an important role in coming together to create solutions that enhance the lives and health of marginalized citizens, but it is particularly exciting when small businesses within these communities led by members of the marginalized group feel empowered to take action.
Innovating During Times of Uncertainty: Adapting Your Business for the New Normal
The business world has transformed tremendously in recent times. Execs are forced to rethink how they operate, what they offer employees, and their greater long-term impact on society. But what does the current business landscape look like for smaller companies? Uncharted Power is a venture-backed small business in the niche power infrastructure space – if you subscribe to the theory of intersectionality, the nature of their business stacks all odds against them. But CEO and founder Jessica O. Matthews is using this time to breed new vision for her company.
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