About us

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We are an innovative company dedicated to change the way we cook using sustainable solar energy. Located in the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are passionate about harnessing the power of the sun to protect human health and our climate.

What we do

Our mission is to provide affordable and sustainable electrical cooking solutions for households worldwide, while reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly lifestyles.

With a team of dedicated engineers and designers, we have sourced and developed a viable electrical cooking appliance that runs entirely on solar energy.

We understand the challenges faced by households worldwide in accessing reliable and affordable energy sources for cooking. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to creating innovative solutions that utilize solar energy, enabling everybody to cook healthier and cleaner.

At SolarChef, we believe that solar-powered electrical cooking is the future of sustainable living. By harnessing the abundant and renewable energy of the sun, we empower people to embrace greener cooking methods without compromising on their culture or convenience.

We are committed to not only delivering high-quality electrical cooking appliances but also providing outstanding customer support. Our knowledgeable team is always ready to assist with any inquiries or concerns, ensuring the best possible solution to households worldwide.

Join us on our journey towards a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a cleaner and healthier world for generations to come.

The team

Martijn Windels

After working in investment management for 20 years, including the last 10 years as a managing director-shareholder, the intrinsic need to achieve both financial and social returns arose around 2020. Initially investing in various social impact projects, the idea to venture into entrepreneurship resurfaced after a world trip, leading to the foundation of SolarChef with childhood friend, Rodick.

Amidst climate challenges, it’s remarkable that 2.3 billion people still rely on biomass fuels for cooking. We believe this is a solvable issue and can significantly contribute to reducing deforestation, emissions, promoting healthier living conditions, and allowing time for education and work.

 

Rodick Weideveld

During my experiences, I’ve come to realize that finding purpose is a significant aspect of work. After engaging in various intriguing roles within the corporate world, I embarked on a 13-year career with the Dutch Police, taking on positions such as investigator, coordinator, and Assistant Prosecutor. This tenure proved immensely meaningful, with the interesting, thrilling, and often gratifying work teaching me to perceive matters from different angles and appreciate the importance of detail.

Having transitioned into the realm of freelance drone operation and videography, has revealed my fascination with technology. In fact, in our latest venture, technology has become an important ally. Throughout my journeys across South America, Asia, and Africa, including those shared with Martijn (as mentioned above), I witnessed how in many places, (semi)open fire cooking is still prevalent.

With our project, we aim to contribute towards solving this issue, believing that our endeavor can make a difference.

Where it all started

2022

Traveling through Africa, we couldn’t help but question why so many people still relied on traditional firewood and charcoal for cooking. It seemed unfair that they had to spend a significant portion of their income or time gathering or buying these fuels. We wondered why no one was harnessing the abundant power of the sun to address this issue.

To our surprise, we discovered that several initiatives had indeed attempted to introduce alternative cooking methods that didn’t rely on fossil fuels. However, these solutions hadn’t gained widespread adoption. That’s when we realized the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

Over the course of a year, we tirelessly worked to develop a viable alternative. It was far more challenging than we had initially anticipated. Practical, logistical, financial, and even cultural barriers seemed to stand in our way. But we were determined to overcome each one of them and make a real difference.

Now, we are proud to introduce our innovative solution. We have successfully tackled the obstacles that stood in our path, and it’s time to ignite the change. SolarChef is here to revolutionize the way cooking is done. By harnessing the power of the sun, we provide a practical and sustainable cooking alternative that is affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Join us on this exciting journey as we transform the way meals are prepared. Together, we can create a brighter future where communities thrive, financial burdens are eased, and the environment is protected. It’s time to cook with the sun and cook with a purpose. Welcome to SolarChef!

Who's involved?

We believe in the power of collaboration to drive innovation and create meaningful impact. We are excited to partner with, among others, SPARK design & innovation and Danki, in developing a groundbreaking electrical solar cooking device.

We look forward to continue working with them, as well as to welcoming new partners to our cause.