EGG-energy

Jukka’s trip to our Tanzanian outpost is coming to an end. During the few weeks he spent assisting Jamie in Mvuti and Dar, Jukka designed an incentive plan to bolster EGG-energy’s sales capability, assembled field data to update our financial models, roamed the capital city to find four white polos to be printed with our logo and worn by our highly motivated salesmen, picked up a few more kishwahili words and helped install our systems at customers’ houses. There’s little doubt that the sight of his butterfly sunglasses will be missed by the Tanzanian sun!

In addition to the many stories and energetic enthusiasm that he’ll bring back to Cambridge, MA, Jukka was tempted to toss an old tincan in his backpack before deciding to leave it on Jamie’s bedtable. Yesterday, one of our customers brought it to the station, as a gift to us: a tin can that had gotten a new life as a kerosene lantern. Polluting, leaking, a fire hazard, low quality light. “Now that I’m your customer, I don’t need this anymore. I’m giving it to you as a gift.” He must be happy with our service, confident that he can pay our fees all year round, and sure of our continued presence, him who’s giving away what was lighting up his family’s evenings! We’re betting that seeing this unexpected token of appreciation every morning will help put a smile on each of Jamie’s days!

This side of the ocean is not short of good news. We’re very proud to share that
- we’ve been selected to compete in the next round of the William James Foundation’s socially responsible business plan competitions,
- we’ve progressed to the second round in the Global Social Venture Competiton,
- we’ve been invited to present at the UNC Kenan Flagler’s annual Sustainable Venture Capital Investment Competition and
- and we will represent MIT at the Net Impact 2010 Walmart Better Living Business Plan Challenge.

Goooooooooooo EGG-energyyyyyyyyy (TM Ben)!

- Blandine

After 6 months of written submissions and valuable interactions with a great team of mentors, today was EGG-energy’s big day: Rhonda and Jukka brilliantly pitched our business proposition to a mesmerized audience at Massachussets State House in Boston.

The only company to innovate without offering a brand new technology, we ranked an amazing 3rd place in this highly competitive contest. That feels good!

Press:
- earth2tech.com
- masshightech.com
- wickedlocal.com (on the semifinals)

- Blandine

Yesterday, EGG-energy presented at the Ignite Clean Energy competition’s semi-finals.  There were last-minute changes as Jukka, one of the scheduled presenters and Tanzania veteran, could not participate because he fell ill with the flu.  Mark and Blandine came to the rescue. Blandine and Rhonda delivered an excellent presentation, and Mark assisted the team in answering questions posed by the judges.  Despite the challenge, EGG-energy rose to the occasion: we are now FINALISTS for ICE and will present at the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston on November 10th!

Being grilled by the judges was an excellent way to receive pertinent feedback, that added to that priorly given by our mentors. Should we be after private or public funding? What profit margin will make us sustainable? Should we bundle the sale of electric appliances with our battery service or not? What management structure will make us most efficient? We’ll make sure we’re ready to give crisp answers to these delicate questions at the finals.

But for now, congrats EGG-energy and thanks all for your support!

- Rhonda and Blandine

EGG-energy's Rhonda Jordan, Mark Yen and Blandine Antoine at the ICE Semi-Finals Competition in Babson College

NAU, a garment firm with an unusual mind about how to do business, launched the Grant for Change to recognize the efforts of those who, around the world, are working at making a positive difference in the lives of people.

EGG-energy is competing for that prize, and needs your support to make it to the next stage (need for 100 + votes by August 31rst to be considered). Please have a look at the different entries, and cast your vote for the EGG if it’s to your liking!

Thanks for your help!

- Blandine