Jessica Matthews
Jessica Matthews is an entrepreneur and social scientist with over 10 years of demonstrated thought leadership in the future of smart cities, climate resiliency, and improving equitable access to infrastructure resources. Jessica is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Uncharted Power, a renewable power company that specializes in harnessing the energy from motion to create entire ecosystems of power for communities around the world.
Jessica’s career started at the age of 19 when she co-created the SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball. Taking the most popular sport in the world, Jessica was able to bridge the gap between the passion and excitement behind playing soccer, and bringing it across to creating energy and infrastructure. After SOCCKET, Jessica launched Uncharted Play which expanded her product line into energy-producing jump ropes and skateboards.
In 2016, Jessica rebranded her startup as Uncharted Power and raised $7 million, the largest ever raised by a black female founder at the time. The company has since raised $12.5 million from investors including Disney, Kapor Capital and Magic Johnson.
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As CEO, Jessica is on a mission to create universal access to smart, sustainable infrastructure. Jessica’s research and career centre around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behaviour, and the psychology of self-actualization.
Jessica completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Economics from Harvard University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
To help others achieve their dreams, Jessica founded “Uplift” with a curriculum called “Think Out Of Bounds”. This program teaches kids how to become social inventors, and helps them to view their surroundings as opportunities and not just obstacles.
Jessica serves as a member of the Advisory Committee in the Department of Energy, USA, where she advises the department on ways to modernize the nation’s electric delivery system, specifically focusing on accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the country.
Jessica has been featured in top publications including Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30, Female Founders 100, The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, and Harvard University Scientist of the Year. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes Africa and has been featured in TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company.