WTW talks to social entrepreneur Jacques-Philippe Piverger:

1.     Could you tell us a little about yourself?  Georgetown, Tuck, big business first?

I am a social entrepreneur who is harnessing business and philanthropic experience to effect change where it is needed most in the globe.  I am Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder of MPOWERD, Inc. and Chairman of Regenerer Haiti, a 2500 acre quadruple bottom line sustainably developed community in Haiti which takes into account people, planet, profit and community.  My business acumen was honed as a Director at PineBridge Investments participating in over $10 billion of private equity, hedge and real estate transactions globally.   I have also worked at AIG Investments, Friedman Billings Ramsey and Barclays Capital.  I founded The Soleil Group, a strategic marketing firm with a diverse portfolio of clients such as Western Union, Universal Music, New York Public Library, Glaceau Vitamin Water, BMG, and Motorola. I am also Co-Founder and Board Member of The Council of Urban Professionals a nonprofit focused on education reform, access to capital, and leadership development for women and minorities. I am a Term Member of The Council on Foreign Relations, a Young Global Leader as designated by The World Economic Forum, and Advisory Board Member of George Clooney’s Hope for Haiti Now Fund.  An avid speaker on leadership, impact investing, and being a sound global citizen, I was educated at Georgetown University, and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth where I was a Private Equity Research Fellow.

When I am not conceptualizing and executing new ideas, I spend time with my wife, Jennifer, and my children Soleil and Jacques-Maxime. I enjoys martial arts such as hapkido and was an All-American in wrestling and judo.  I also enjoy meditation, reading, and travel.

2. You are a native New Yorker who spent much time in Haiti, your parents homeland.  To what extent has your relationship to this country and its needs inspired your business interests?  Prior to earthquake?  Post earthquake?

 I was born in NYC. Grew up in Miami.  Spent every summer in Haiti.  My current business interests relate to the intersection between business and developmental impact.  Much of that focus was born out of the time I have spent in Haiti pre and post earthquake.  It’s important to provide a balanced view with respect to Haiti.  I have gained far more from Haiti then I will ever be able to give.  Haiti is a vibrant land where people work very hard and share an unyielding creativity and passion for the pursuit of their objectives.  The people also tend to be quite fearless.  The confidence is part of the legacy of a fierce revolution that led to the end of slavery in 1804.  I have benefited tremendously from having my roots in Haiti. 

3.  In Haiti, when you provide Lucis, who pays for them? Who distributes them? 

4. When did the potential impact of providing solar-generated lanterns occur to you? 

The potential impact of solar light was clear quite some time ago, but a trip I took to Haiti with some friends, including MPOWERD, co-founder, John Salzinger, was pretty pivotal in the process.

 5.  Are there any competitive products, and if so, how is Luci different?

There are other solar lanterns out there, but Luci has a competitive edge because of her design (she’s inflatable, durable, waterproof), and functionality (task light, diffused lantern, or flashlight; long lasting brightness); also elegant design which appeals to the developing and developed markets.

6.  What other products do you have coming down the pike?  Variations on Luci?  Totally new products? 

We have several upcoming products in the pipeline, including variations on Luci like Luci Lux, Luci Aura, and smaller version Luci EMRG.  Our R&D is constantly ongoing and we have several exciting products that we will launch later this year or next year – some with additional functionality as well.  We liken ourselves to being the Apple of the micro solar product space.

 7.   Fund raising.  How does your second round of fund raising different from the first?

During the first round we were looking for people to back the team and concept.  Now we have proof of concept and substantial sales in our first year.  We are currently raising $3 million to $4 million which will help the company achieve profitability and increase in value.  The raise is trending well and we are keen on sprinting through the finish line.

 8.  Do you find women more responsive to this idea?

We have found that women have a greater appreciation for the impact aspect of the business, especially as relates to the benefits for women and children.  We have found that both men and women are synchronized as relates to the core business opportunity.

9.  To what extent are you able to get Luci to students who don’t have light to study by at night?

We have been able to get lights to students through our partnerships with various nonprofit partners.  You can learn more about that at the following link: https://www.mpowerd.com/impact.

10.   Are you getting any help from US State Department, AID, World Bank, International Monetary Fund? 

No.

11.   Is there anything else you would like to discuss?

We encourage people to visit our website at: www.mpowerd.com and purchase Luci lanterns for themselves and people living off the grid (www.mpowerd.com/give).  Our Solar Justice Campaign runs from April 15^th to May 31^st and everyone who contributes lights to people living off the grid gets their name added to the “wall of gratitude” among other tangible and intangible benefits.