Santa Clara University

Solar Sister was one of the 20 socially-minded ventures from around the world that has been chosen to receive full scholarships to participate in the ninth annual Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI™). The ventures provide essential goods and services to the poor, and often act as catalysts for economic growth. This year, over half of the 2011 GSBI class is focused on developing or distributing cleaner and cheaper sources of energy for the nearly 1.5 billion people in the world who have no access to reliable, grid power.

Solar Sister empowers women through economic opportunity. Using a market based solution to eradicate energy poverty in rural communities throughout Africa, Solar Sister gives women the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. Solar Sister combines the breakthrough potential of micro-solar lighting with a deliberately woman-centered direct sales network. Women become their own bosses and earn independent income as entrepreneurs. Solar Sisters are change agents in their communities, providing access to affordable solar technology to replace the kerosene lanterns that are used throughout rural communities in developing countries.

GSBI combines online instruction and in-residence exercises with training and mentoring from academic leaders and Silicon Valley executives over an intensive eight-month period. The final phase of the program features an in-residence program on Santa Clara University’s campus August 7-19, culminating with a business plan summary presentation on August 18.

Learn more about the GSBI program!