When Conner Hazelrigg was a college sophomore, her friend returned from a trip to Haiti, amazed that everyone there had cell phones—but no electricity to charge them. Yet many residents of these countries rely on their phones for food, medical needs and digital currency transactions.

A math and physics major, Hazelrigg decided she needed to do something about the situation. And, within a few months, she had created a prototype for the Sunshine Box, a suitcase-sized device that can charge 10 mobile phones at a time, using solar power.

In this episode of Talking Business Now, Hazelrigg talks about how she quickly found herself leading a new company—17° 73° Innovation Co. (the coordinates of Port au Prince in Haiti)—that provides solar power, creates jobs and provides a payment platform for developing countries as well as assistance in disaster areas.

To date, the Sunshine Box has helped to charge tens of thousands of phones in 17 developing nations. The boxes also hosts an IoT payment platform to meet the needs of residents who rely on digital currency. And, in an unanticipated benefit, the Sunshine Box is helping to improve educational access in these countries.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Website: https://www.1773innovationco.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1773innovationco

Twitter: @1773Innovation

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