GreenChar Co-Founders Tom Osborn (left) and Ian Oluoch. GreenChar, seeks to provide greener and more affordable, cleaner fuel solutions to Kenya beyond Charcoal. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE
Tom deliberately sought to build networks with professionals from various fields who would assist in technical areas of product development, seek grants and serve as investors and board members to bolster his business.
GreenChar started with only 30kgs of handmade briquettes that Tom and his co-founders would make under the shade of a tree in Tom’s parents backyard in Awendo,Migori County.
GreenChar works with Nzoia Sugar Factory and local women and youth groups in Awendo and Transmara respectively, employing close to 30 people directly, who source agricultural waste such as sugarcane pulp and cassava peelings to produce MakaaPoa and Longburn..
Tom Osborn is only 20, but is the CEO and co-founder of GreenChar, a two-year-old social enterprise that provides alternative eco-friendly fuel briquettes and clean cook stoves for Kenyan households and institutions.
This 2013 Forbes Magazine 30 under 30 social entrepreneur, and 2014 Echoing Green Fellow, decided to defer his place at university, where he was to study law, and follow his entrepreneurial instinct.
