Olugbenga Olubanjo named finalist for Earthshot Prize
Published: October 15, 2021
University of Toronto alumnus Olugbenga Olubanjo’s startup Reeddi Inc. has been named one of 15 finalists of the inaugural Earthshot Prize.
The clean-tech startup created by the recent graduate of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s department of civil and mineral engineering is one of only three finalists in the “Fix Our Climate” category, according to a recent video announcement made by Prince William.
“I am honoured to introduce the 15 innovators, leaders, and visionaries who are the first-ever finalists for The Earthshot Prize,” the Duke of Cambridge said. “They are working with the urgency required in this decisive decade for life on Earth and will inspire all of us with their optimism in our ability to rise to the greatest challenges in human history.”
Reeddi’s portable and rechargeable batteries, powered by solar charging stations, provide affordable and dependable energy to people living in parts of the world where energy infrastructure is unreliable. The company has a goal of serving 12,000 new households and businesses monthly by the end of 2021.
“We are very happy to see how far we have come as acompany in order to be recognized for such a prestigious award,” Olubanjo says. “We’re even more pumped to leverage the support from the award to scale our innovation and accelerate its impact in more energy-poor communities and regions.”
