Oolu

Oolu was founded in 2015 by Nilmi Senaratna and Dan Rosa, and incubated in Y Combinator. The company's mission is to provide off-grid households with high quality products at an affordable price. For a low monthly fee, paid through mobile money, Oolu installs a pay-as-you-go solar kit that can power various in-home devices such as lights, phone chargers, radios, fans and televisions, and performs any necessary maintenance, including free battery replacements and system upgrades. The offer appeals to off-grid clients who often struggle with unreliable and dangerous lighting sources, such as flashlights, candles and kerosene, and are forced to walk long distances to charge their phones. The company has ambitious product development and geographic expansion plans and remains focused on becoming the leading energy and financial services provider to rural households in West Africa and beyond.