Jessica O. Matthews, a Nigerian-American inventor and entrepreneur, has made waves in the renewable energy sector with her groundbreaking invention—the Soccket, a soccer ball that converts kinetic energy into electricity.
Born on February 13, 1988, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Matthews holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Nigeria.
The daughter of software entrepreneurs, she grew up with a passion for innovation, ultimately turning a college project into a life-changing solution for communities with limited access to electricity.
The Birth of Soccket
While studying at Harvard University in 2008, Matthews and her classmate Julia Silverman developed the Soccket as part of an engineering assignment.
Inspired by frequent power outages during a family wedding in Nigeria—where diesel generators were the unreliable fallback—Matthews envisioned a cleaner, more sustainable energy source.
The Soccket works by capturing kinetic energy generated during play.
Just 30 minutes of soccer can produce up to three hours of LED light, providing children in off-grid communities with a way to study after sunset.
This ingenious invention laid the foundation for Uncharted Power, Matthews’ energy technology company.
After graduating with degrees in Psychology and Economics, followed by an MBA from Harvard Business School, Matthews expanded her vision beyond the Soccket.
Uncharted Power now develops energy-harvesting infrastructure, including floor panels and even a jump rope (Pulse) that generates power through motion.
In 2016, Matthews made history by raising $7 million in Series A funding, the largest amount secured by a Black female founder at the time.
Though the Soccket was discontinued that same year, its impact was undeniable—over 500,000 units had been distributed across Africa and Latin America by 2017.
Matthews’ influence extends far beyond her inventions.
She has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee (2021), named one of Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, featured on the covers of Forbes and Forbes Africa, and recognized in Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and Female Founders 100 lists
Her patents have been cited by major corporations like Intel, IBM, and Sony, cementing her legacy as a pioneer in sustainable technology.
Matthews, who humorously describes herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy,” continues to advocate for clean energy accessibility and women in STEM.
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