Infinity Prize Winner Leandro Antonio on Bringing Portable Solar to South Africa’s Townships
Photo taken during YES! Awards Ceromony, Mosebe taking the stage to claim their award.
Leandro (left) and Vincent (right)
In this follow-up interview, Leandro shares what the win means for his young company, why portability and community-led design matter, and how the team plans to turn their “Mission 300” vision into
The “Powering Up” stream was proudly hosted and sponsored by Infinity Power. The session was opened by Mr. Mohammed Ismail Mansour, known for his appearances on Shark Tank Egypt. He moderated a high-impact panel discussion alongside Infinity Power’s CEO, Engineer Nayer Fouad, and CTO, Engineer Ashish Ranjan.
Following a rigorous review process, four youth-led energy startups were shortlisted to pitch for the $5,000 grant: Brian Munene Njeru – ARK (Africa Renewables Katalyst): A green energy trading platform.
Leandro Antonio – Mosebe Enterprise (South Africa): Portable solar solutions for townships.
Mekides Minlike – Ablenee Energy Solutions (Ethiopia): Bio-CNG produced from organic waste. Suzan Paledi – Paledi Energy and Innovations (South Africa): Durable, high-efficiency solar technologies.
The winner of the YES! 2025 Entrepreneurs competition under Infinity Power’s “Ready to Launch” category was Leandro Antonio from Mosebe Enterprise – South Africa.
What does winning the Entrepreneurs Launchpad’s Powering Up prize mean for you and Mosebe Enterprise?
Leandro: Winning the Powering Up prize is both a validation of our vision and a catalyst for our mission. As a young enterprise founded in 2023, we are committed to tackling energy poverty in underserved communities. This recognition affirms that our approach, combining innovation, community empowerment, and scalable deployment, resonates with both industry leaders and the communities we serve. It has also inspired our team to push further toward our five-year “Mission 300” goal of delivering clean, reliable power to hundreds of households across South Africa.
Why does your portable solar solution work so well for townships, and how will the $5,000 help you move it forward?
Leandro: Our Tshepo V3 portable solar stations are designed specifically for the realities of township life: irregular grid supply, high energy costs, and safety hazards from candles and paraffin. They provide reliable power for lighting, charging, and small appliances, while being portable, affordable, and easy to maintain.
The $5,000 prize will go directly into our pilot rollout of 44 units, enabling us to refine production, integrate community feedback, and demonstrate measurable impact, a critical step in scaling to other high-need areas.
How did you prepare for the panel, and what do you think helped you stand out to the judges?
Leandro: Preparation involved deeply refining our pitch to focus on clarity, community impact, and scalability. We drew on lived experiences from the very communities we aim to serve, ensuring that our presentation told a human story backed by solid data. I believe what stood out to the judges was our combination of a technically viable product, a realistic growth plan, and the authenticity of a team rooted in the problem we are solving.
Photo taken during Infinity Power’s Entrepreneur Area
CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa 18-20 June 2025
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from the Launchpad experience?
Leandro: The biggest lesson is the power of alignment — when your product, mission, and story are in harmony, opportunities naturally open up. We also learned that investors and partners are increasingly looking for solutions that can show both immediate social impact and a credible path to scale.
What’s next for Mosebe Enterprise, and how can others support your journey?
Leandro: Next, we will complete the 44-unit pilot rollout, gather performance and impact data, and use this evidence to unlock larger-scale funding and partnerships. We welcome support in three key areas:
Funding to expand production and reach.
Strategic partnerships with organizations active in education, healthcare, and rural development.
Technical expertise to enhance our product features and integrate with other off-grid services.
Why should young entrepreneurs say yes to YES!?
Leandro: YES! is more than a platform — it’s a bridge between ideas and opportunity. For young entrepreneurs, it provides exposure, networks, and credibility that can take years to build otherwise. It’s a chance to test your idea against real-world challenges while accessing mentorship and support from industry leaders.
Leandro Antonio’s win at the Entrepreneurs Pitch: Powering Up – Ready to Launch! competition is more than just a milestone for Mosebe Enterprise — it’s a springboard for growth.
Backed by the Infinity Prize, the team is moving full speed ahead with their pilot rollout and ambitious “Mission 300” goal, proving that practical, community-driven solutions can accelerate Africa’s clean energy future.
As the next wave of entrepreneurs prepare to take the stage at future events, Mosebe Enterprise stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when innovation meets opportunity.