UT alumnus and founder of Jiro-Ve Rik Stamhuis will visit DesignLab on Monday June 24th. He will talk about his startup. We think it's safe to say you'll leave this session feeling quite inspired.
'Jiro-Ve' is Malagasy for 'Do you want light?'
Rik Stamhuis is the founder/managing director of Jiro-Ve that rents rechargeable solar-powered lamps in rural Madagascar using an economic model that generates both clean energy at a lower cost while creating jobs. Currently Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the worls due to a long political crisis. Most people don't have electricity at home. In some rural areas, less than 10% has access to electricity in Madagascar. When it gets dark at 6 PM, people usually use kersoene lamps. However, this is extremely expensive and bad for their health. That's why JiroVe is working together with local entrepreneurs to create chargable LED lamps. The people of Madagascar can rent them for 5 euro cents a day, often cheaper than kerosene. These lights offer better lighting, are healthier, cheaper, and better for the environment.
JiroVe is helping local entrepreneurs to run their own business, as well as helping the people of Madagascar to live healthier and more sustainably.
"Better for the people of Madagascar, and better for the environment."
Read more about this initiative here.
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