Congrats d.light - what an amazing journey! From an early (VERY early) insight born out of one of Extreme’s projects back in 2006, all the way to one of The Earthshot Prize nominees in 2024. ??
When one of the Extreme student teams returned from their field visit with a host of generative insights, their excitement immediately drove them into the next stage of innovation, leading to their first prototype called "Kiran." Fast forward and now they're on a mission to transform the lives of 1 billion by 2030!
d.light’s Extreme challenge was to help small stallholders display their products using a better light source than the typical kerosene lantern they were utilizing, especially because they often have to sell in the markets at night when the temperature is cooler.
Their challenge quickly shifted to addressing key problems around the dangers of kerosene lanterns and the widespread need for a low-cost replacement. The original product, Kiran, was a solar-based form factor replacement for the kerosene lantern. Purchasing a Kiran would greatly benefit the sellers, especially since it would only cost the amount of a few weeks of kerosene.
Since beginning their experience with Extreme in 2006, d.light has gone on to develop a full range of solar lighting solutions, and their products have transformed more than 180 million lives across 70 countries, offsetting over 40 million tons of CO2 through clean energy products and carbon projects.
For participants in Extreme, these moments of ?spark? come to fruition thanks to the comprehensive experience the program provides, especially the human-centered design tools and social innovation frameworks they learn.
If you're a student looking to experience the Extreme journey, join us for our next cohort. Applications are now open, visit the link for more info.
https://lnkd.in/gDp2xwai
The ambition is simple but enormous: eradicate the use of kerosene as a source of light.
With scalable solar solutions, d.light is transforming lives and improving access to clean energy for millions across Africa.
They are not only providing reliable lighting and power to under-served communities but also paving the way for sustainable economic growth. Their impact extends beyond energy access; it provides better access to education and boosts local businesses.
Discover how d.light is scaling at speed to create a brighter future in our latest film on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Y7bLrA
