Matthews is best known for inventing the Soccket, an energy-harnessing soccer ball that converts kinetic energy from play into electricity. Designed for communities with unreliable power, the Soccket acts as a portable generator—just 30 minutes of play provides up to three hours of LED light.
From Classroom to Global Impact
Matthews, who always dreamed of becoming an inventor, developed the Soccket in 2008 as a Harvard junior alongside classmate Julia Silverman. The idea struck after attending her aunt’s wedding in Nigeria, where frequent blackouts forced reliance on polluting diesel generators. Determined to find a cleaner solution, Matthews and Silverman created the Soccket—a soccer ball that doubled as a power source, giving children light to study after dark.
This innovation became the foundation of Uncharted Power, their renewable energy company. After graduating with degrees in psychology and economics, Matthews briefly worked at CrowdTap before dedicating herself fully to Uncharted Power.
Breaking Barriers in Tech & Energy
Her groundbreaking work earned her a White House invitation in 2012, where she represented small businesses at the signing of the America Invents Act. By 2016, she made history by securing the largest Series A funding round ($7M) ever raised by a Black female founder at the time, valuing Uncharted Power at $57 million. That same year, she rang the NASDAQ opening bell as a representative of the Forbes 30 Under 30 community.
In 2021, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm appointed her to the Electricity Advisory Committee, further solidifying her influence in sustainable energy.
A Legacy of Innovation
Beyond the Soccket, Uncharted Power developed kinetic energy-harvesting infrastructure, including floor panels and the Pulse jump rope—which generates three hours of LED power from 15 minutes of use. Though the Soccket was discontinued in 2016, over 500,000 units had already reached communities in Africa and Latin America.
Matthews, who also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, has been cited in 40+ patents by industry giants like Intel, IBM, and Sony. Her accolades include:
- Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneur
- Forbes 30 Under 30 & Inc. 30 Under 30
- Harvard University Scientist of the Year
- Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award
- Featured on the covers of Forbes and Forbes Africa
A charismatic speaker, Matthews describes herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy”—a testament to her dynamic fusion of creativity, intellect, and trailblazing leadership.