14. The rise and fall of Mobisol, pioneer of Rural Electrification in Africa - nov19

Gerard and Laurent discuss the daunting challenge of electrifying Africa. We interview Thomas Gottschalk, founder and ex CEO of Mobisol, a German Start-Up which provided off-grid power to one million Africans over the past 10 years. But, along the way, Mobisol burnt up 100mUSD and Thomas saw his personal health eventually deteriorate.
In September 2019, Mobisol has been purchased by Energy giant Engie. Thomas - who had resigned a few month beforehand - is rebounding in a new venture and is relentlessly pursuing his global dream of providing world class technology to the poorest while building a sustainable business around it.
Laurent and Gerard analyse the rise and fall and rebirth of this visionary entrepreneur.