Perspectives on Innovation

By now, most InnoCentive Solvers know about Mark Bent, CEO of SunNight Solar, the company that is bringing light to people in off-grid areas of the world.  Over the last few months we’ve blogged about Mark frequently, and about the good work he’s doing in Africa and beyond.  In a phone call today about another project Mark has been working on (more on that soon), he let me know that the BOGO flashlight, created with the help of an InnoCentive Solver, will now be distributed to families living without power in the Gaza strip, through a program called Lights for Gaza.  The project was brought to Mark by students in Mexico, Egypt, India and Bethlehem, who are part of Engineers Without Borders.  This rapidly expanding grass roots effort aims to push back the darkness, after the destruction of much of Gaza electrical distribution infrastructure during the recent 22 days of fighting.  With the majority of the 1.3 million inhabitants of Gaza fearfully waiting out the nights without light, or forced to use candles or makeshift kerosene lanterns for illumination, lighting is often overlooked as a vital part in alleviating humanitarian suffering and allowing families to regain a minimal quality of life.

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Some of you may already know about SunNight Solar, and their BoGo light (Buy One, Give One). Founded by former US Diplomat Mark Bent, SunNight Solar uses the latest scientific advances in solar and lighting technology to provide light to people in developing countries like Africa and Peru. When you purchase a light from them, they match your purchase and send a light to the location of your choice. Well, I thought you might be interested to know that thanks to the diligent work of Russell McMahon (a Solver in New Zealand) SunNight Solar was able to improve their existing light so that it will illuminate an entire room as well as work as a handheld flashlight. They call it the SuperBogo. The company has already begun production of these lights, less than a year after posting the Challenge on the InnoCentive website. They are due to be available in August of this year. We’re thrilled to be a part of SunNight Solar’s work, and are proud to see our Solvers getting involved in these Challenges that really make a difference!

If you’d like to learn more about the BoGo light, visit the BoGo Light website.
For more from Mark Bent on his work with InnoCentive, watch this YouTube video.

If you have recently worked on a Challenge that really made an impact on you, we’d love to hear about it. Please post your comments below.

Liz