EarthEnable

EarthEnable is a social enterprise that addresses the health and housing crisis in rural Africa by replacing unsanitary dirt floors with affordable, locally sourced earthen floors. The company's journey started in 2013 when a group of Stanford University students, including co-founders Gayatri Datar and Rick Zuzow, traveled to Rwanda and identified the significant health problems caused by dirt floors. This led to the founding of EarthEnable in 2014 to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

The co-founders brought diverse expertise to the venture. Gayatri Datar, who serves as CEO, has a background in international development, economics, and business from Harvard and Stanford. Her experience spans organizations like the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Rick Zuzow applied his biochemistry and design background to develop the proprietary, plant-based oil that seals the floors, making them waterproof and durable. This innovative varnish is created from locally available materials like soybean oil, making it a cheaper and healthier alternative to traditional sealants like linseed oil.

EarthEnable operates with a hybrid business model. A U.S.-based non-profit owns the for-profit entities in Rwanda and Uganda. This structure allows profits to be reinvested into the organization to fund expansion and innovation. The primary product is an earthen floor made of compressed local materials like sand, clay, and gravel, sealed with the company's proprietary oil. These floors are significantly cheaper—about 70-75% less expensive—than the common alternative, concrete, and reduce the carbon footprint by up to 96%. The company's business model is designed for scalability, aiming to inspire a competitive market for earthen floors. Revenue is generated through the sale of these floors, often facilitated through financing options, and supported by grants and partnerships.

The company's target market is the vast population in rural Africa living in homes with dirt floors, which are linked to parasitic infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses. By providing a cleanable surface, EarthEnable's floors have been shown to dramatically reduce childhood diarrhea by 49% and parasitic infections by 78%. The model also creates economic opportunities by training and employing local masons and sales representatives, turning them into micro-franchisees who can build businesses in their own communities. The company has expanded its operations from Rwanda to Uganda and Kenya and is exploring partnerships with organizations like the UNHCR to work in refugee camps.

Keywords: earthen flooring, rural housing, sanitation, public health, social enterprise, sustainable construction, green building materials, Africa, local masons, micro-franchisee, affordable housing, impact investing, community health, eco-friendly materials, low-cost housing, housing innovation, natural building, construction technology, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya