One Earth Designs

One Earth Designs was a social enterprise that designed and manufactured high-performance solar cooking equipment. The company was co-founded by Dr. Catlin Powers and Scot Frank, who met in the Himalayas. The initial impetus for the company began in 2007 when Dr. Powers, then an undergraduate studying climate change in Qinghai, China, observed the severe indoor air pollution caused by cooking with traditional fuels in nomadic tents. This experience, coupled with her upbringing in various countries which exposed her to global challenges, motivated her to seek solutions for clean energy and air. She was joined by Scot Frank, an MIT graduate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science who was teaching engineering at Qinghai University, focusing on practical solutions for rural life.

The company's mission was to provide clean energy solutions to combat fuel scarcity and household air pollution, initially targeting rural families in the Himalayas before expanding to customers in over 60 countries. Operating as a certified B Corp, One Earth Designs aimed to integrate social and environmental sustainability with its financial goals. Revenue was generated through the direct sale of its solar cookers and accessories via its website and platforms like Kickstarter. Their business model also included a social component, where sales in developed markets helped fund the distribution of cookers in developing regions.

The flagship product was the SolSource, a parabolic solar cooker that used a durable, patented self-healing polymer reflector to capture sunlight and heat cookware. It was capable of heating up five times faster than a charcoal grill, reaching high temperatures for grilling, frying, and boiling water without any fuel or emissions. The company later introduced the SolSource Sport, a more portable and lightweight version designed for outdoor enthusiasts, which could be assembled in minutes and packed into a small carrying case. Despite raising funds through multiple successful Kickstarter campaigns and securing a $500,000 investment on Shark Tank, the for-profit entity, One Earth Public Benefit Corporation, ceased operations on January 1, 2020. The non-profit branch continues its mission through humanitarian projects and the development of solar-thermal technologies with global partners.

Keywords: solar cooker, clean energy, sustainable living, social enterprise, parabolic reflector, off-grid cooking, SolSource, humanitarian technology, B Corp, household air pollution, renewable energy, eco-friendly products, outdoor gear, camping stove, solar thermal, environmental technology, Scot Frank, Catlin Powers, sustainable design, zero emissions