Kool Connect:

Koolboks

Kool Connect:

Kool Connect empowers female African small business owners

France

FRA

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

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In Lagos, Nigeria, female frozen food sellers face daily power outages averaging eight hours, undermining refrigeration, causing spoilage and financial losses. An estimated 150,000 women in Lagos depend on freezing equipment, with reported losses exceeding ₦400,000 per extended outage, directly threatening livelihoods. To compensate, many invest in petrol or diesel generators. Lagos hosts over 2 million generators—driving operational costs up by as much as 40% and contributing to Nigeria’s ₦10 billion annual generator fuel expenditure. The emissions from these generators rival those of small nations, exacerbating air and noise pollution and increasing respiratory illnesses. Globally, food systems are similarly strained by unreliable electricity: approximately one‑third of all food produced globally—about 1.3 billion tonnes each year—is lost or wasted before it reaches consumers, with inadequate refrigeration and cold‑chain infrastructure driven by poor power access identified as key causes of these post‑harvest losses. These statistics underscore how energy insecurity simultaneously undermines business profitability and exacerbates food insecurity on a global scale. Power unreliability also disrupts supply chains: smallholder farmers face diminished demand for produce, fueling local food scarcity and hunger. Compounded by communication constraints which limit mobile charging and network access.

Our solution, Koolboks, addresses key challenges in the African food market through a three-pronged technological approach. We developed solar refrigerators that provide reliable, extended cooling for female frozen food sellers and agricultural producers. Recognizing that upfront costs limited access, we introduced Koolbuy, a flexible payment platform that allows customers to purchase our refrigerators through installment, credit-based, and pay-as-you-go models. This innovative financing method significantly broadened our customer base by making our product more affordable. However, female sellers continued to struggle with establishing partnerships with suppliers and scaling their businesses. To address this gap, we launched Kool Connect, an AI-powered matchmaking system that connects Koolbuy customers with potential partners, suppliers, and large-scale customers. Kool Connect utilizes advanced algorithms and real-time data to facilitate seamless, efficient connections across the value chain, thereby driving business growth and enhancing market opportunities. Our integrated solution not only improves access to essential cooling technology but also empowers female entrepreneurs by providing financial flexibility and business connectivity. This multi-faceted approach is designed to eradicate the challenges faced by African small business sellers in the food market and create sustainable economic impact. Our solution transforms market dynamics, enabling resilient communities and sustainable growth.

Our solution directly targets female frozen food sellers and small-scale agricultural producers in Lagos, Nigeria. Our solution is aimed at an estimated 2,500 women operating in informal markets—and indirectly supports over 100,000 community members reliant on their products. In Lagos, unreliable electricity and soaring generator costs have long hampered these entrepreneurs, causing food spoilage and escalating operational expenses. Our integrated solution combines solar-powered refrigerators (Koolboks), flexible financing through Koolbuy, and an AI-powered matchmaking platform, Kool Connect. Koolboks provide consistent, sustainable cooling, reducing spoilage and preserving product quality. Koolbuy’s installment and pay-as-you-go models make these essential tools affordable for women who previously could not afford upfront costs. Meanwhile, Kool Connect bridges the market gap by linking sellers with reliable suppliers and larger buyers, streamlining supply chains and driving business growth. By addressing critical challenges such as high fuel costs, generator emissions, and market fragmentation, our solution not only bolsters the financial stability of individual entrepreneurs but also enhances food security and community resilience. Ultimately, our approach transforms the livelihoods of thousands in Lagos by fostering sustainable business practices, improving economic opportunities, and catalyzing long-term growth across the region.