Chidalu Onyenso (Earthbond)
Overview
Chidalu Onyenso is an innovative entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Earthbond, a Nigerian startup specializing in leveraging solar financing and carbon credits to promote clean and reliable energy solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in Africa. Born out of Harvard's Innovation Lab, Earthbond addresses the significant energy challenges faced by African businesses due to unreliable power supply, predominantly relying on petrol generators. By facilitating access to solar energy through financing and a marketplace of certified providers, Earthbond aims to transform the business landscape and contribute to climate resilience.
Recent Developments
Chidalu Onyenso's Earthbond has been active in the climate tech space, with significant achievements and investments over the past two years:
- October 2024: Earthbond raised $200,000 in pre-seed funding from Madica, an Africa-focused investment firm, enhancing its capacity to finance solar projects for Nigerian SMBs and reducing reliance on diesel generators.
- October 2024: As part of Madica's investment program, Earthbond participated in an 18-month company-building initiative, gaining access to a global network of investors and numerous executive training sessions.
- September 2024: Earthbond announced its participation in the MIT Solve Global Climate Challenge as one of the Solver teams, focusing on low-carbon housing solutions and climate resilience.
- June 2024: Earthbond was featured at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center as part of the Milestone Makers Spring 2024 cohort, showcasing its progress in sustainable energy solutions.
- 2023: Earthbond was incorporated, receiving support from Greentown Labs' ACCEL program, aimed at empowering BIPOC-led startups with resources and mentorship.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chidalu Onyenso |
| Born | Unknown |
| Nationality | Nigerian and American |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO of Earthbond |
| Known For | Clean energy solutions and entrepreneurship |
| Net Worth | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Education | MBA, Harvard Business School; BA, Princeton University |
| Residence | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Languages | English, Portuguese, Spanish, Igbo |
Early Life and Education
Chidalu Onyenso pursued her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, where she took an interdepartmental degree in Political Economy, focusing on comparative politics. Her academic interest laid the foundation for a career that intertwined entrepreneurship with political and economic stability, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. After completing her undergraduate education, Onyenso furthered her studies at Harvard Business School, earning an MBA between 2021 and 2023. During her time at Harvard, she was deeply involved with activities that developed her leadership and business acumen, such as co-chairing the HBS Africa Business Club conference.
Career and Notable Achievements
Chidalu Onyenso's career path reflects her dynamic experience in fintech and her entrepreneurial spirit:
- IBM: Led product development for WorldWire, enhancing cross-border payment solutions for SMEs in emerging markets.
- Fundera by Nerdwallet: Increased customer acquisition sevenfold for the SMB lending marketplace, integrating it into Nerdwallet.
- Raise: Developed product management frameworks and processes for African founders.
- Earthbond: Founded in 2022, the startup enhances access to solar energy for SMBs, using carbon credits to mitigate costs.
- Milestone Makers and Greentown Labs: With Earthbond, she gained significant accolades, including the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center's recognition.
Current Work and Impact
Chidalu Onyenso continues to lead Earthbond, aiming to enhance solar energy accessibility in Nigeria. Earthbond's initiatives focus on providing finance solutions customized to the needs of SMBs, thereby reducing reliance on expensive and environmentally taxing diesel generators. Through strategic partnerships with financial and solar companies, Earthbond has become a significant player in the renewable energy sector, contributing markedly to sustainability goals by economically enabling African businesses in the energy transition.
Conclusion
Chidalu Onyenso's work with Earthbond marks a vital contribution to addressing Africa's energy deficit and environmental sustainability challenges. By facilitating the solar energy transition for small businesses, her efforts not only support economic growth but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint. As Earthbond expands its operations with increased financial backing, it promises to be a pivotal element in the green energy landscape of Africa, with further potential impacts being highly anticipated in the coming years.