Jessica Matthews, a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and inventor, has redefined the intersection of sports and sustainable energy.
Born on February 13, 1988, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Matthews holds dual citizenship in Nigeria and the United States.
She is the second of four siblings, growing up in a household where innovation and technology were central—her parents ran a software company, Decision Technologies International.
Matthews is best known for creating Soccket, a soccer ball that converts kinetic energy from play into electricity. The innovative design allows the ball to function as a small-scale generator, providing up to three hours of LED power for every 30 minutes of play.
This breakthrough invention has proven particularly useful in regions where electricity is unreliable or scarce.
The Inspiration Behind Soccket
From a young age, Matthews aspired to become an inventor. In 2008, during her third year at Harvard University, she and her classmate Julia Silverman conceptualized Soccket as part of an engineering class project.
Matthews’ inspiration came from attending her aunt’s wedding in Nigeria, where an unexpected power outage forced guests to rely on diesel generators. Recognizing the health hazards associated with generator fumes, she sought an alternative energy solution.
Together, Matthews and Silverman developed Soccket as a tool to help children in underprivileged areas.
The idea was simple yet powerful—kids playing soccer could generate electricity to power reading lights, helping them study after dark. Their success led to the creation of Uncharted Power, a company dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions.
A Trailblazer in Entrepreneurship and Technology
After graduating, Matthews briefly worked at CrowdTap before committing full-time to Uncharted Power. Her entrepreneurial journey quickly gained national recognition, earning her an invitation from President Barack Obama to witness the signing of the America Invents Act in 2012.
That same year, Toyota acknowledged her as a Toyota Mother of Invention, awarding her a grant to further develop her business.
In 2016, Matthews made history by securing what was then the largest-ever Series A investment for a Black female founder, raising 7 million dollars and valuing Uncharted Power at 57 million dollars.
This milestone positioned her as one of only 13 Black female entrepreneurs to surpass the 1 million dollar funding mark. That same year, she was honored to ring the NASDAQ opening bell, representing Forbes’ 30 Under 30 alumni.
Her expertise in energy innovation also led to her 2021 appointment by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to the Electricity Advisory Committee, reinforcing her influence in shaping global energy policies.
Expanding Innovation Beyond Soccket
While Soccket was discontinued in 2016, Matthews’ company continued to develop cutting-edge solutions in renewable energy.
Uncharted Power’s energy-harvesting technology has since been integrated into diverse infrastructures, ranging from floor panels to baby strollers.
One notable invention is Pulse, a jump rope that, like Soccket, stores energy from movement—just 15 minutes of use generates three hours of LED light.
By March 2017, over 500,000 Soccket and Pulse devices had been distributed across Africa and Latin America, helping communities combat energy poverty.
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Matthews holds a degree in psychology and economics from Harvard University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Her patents have been cited over 40 times, influencing product innovations from Qualcomm, Philips, Intel, IBM, Sony, and Toshiba.
Her numerous accolades include:
– Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs
– Forbes 30 Under 30
– Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 & Female Founders 100
– Harvard University Scientist of the Year
– One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year
– The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award
– Black Women Tech Talk’s Tech Trailblazer Award
She has graced the covers of Forbes and Forbes Africa and has been featured in Marie Claire, Wired, Inc., TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company.
With a dynamic presence and relatable approach, Matthews describes herself as “a blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy,” effortlessly merging innovation with influence. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of inventors, proving that technology, when harnessed for good, can change lives.
