BRCK has announced that it has closed a US$ 3M (300 million Kenya Shillings) funding round. This includes investment from former AOL executives Jean and Steve Case, Synergy Energy, MKS Alternative Investment, TED and Jim Sorenson
BRCK is touted as ‘the backup generator of the internet’. The BRCK Router is a rugged, self-powered, mobile WiFi device which connects people and things to the internet in areas of the world with poor infrastructure.
The goal when BRCK launched in 2013 was to connect the more than 800 million Africans without internet. To achieve this, the company has designed and launched a router designed to handle the continent’s difficult terrain and lack of infrastructure.
The BRCK Router has enough backup power to survive a blackout for 8 hours, It comes with a built-in battery, and is designed to provide failsafe internet connectivity in almost any environment.
BRCK devices are available in 54 countries on 5 continents.
BRCK also redefining Kenya’s primary education through BRCK Education, with the Kio tablet, a 7-inch Android tablet designed for use in primary schools in remote areas. The tablet is part of the Kio Kit, a classroom-in-a-box that holds 40 Kio tablets, wireless charging and a BRCK device, which can be used by a whole classroom.
This latest round of funding will help to advance BRCK’s operations, research and development, and manufacturing capacity.
Image via: qz.com
