Nilmi Senaratna

Co-founder•Oolu
United Kingdom
Founder

Connect

Expertise

Early-stage fundraising
High-level recruitment
Human capital strategy
New country expansion
Business development
Partnerships
Scaling PAYG solar technology
Team building
Strategic advisory
Renewable energy
Environmental science
Off-grid energy solutions
International development
Primary Sector
Financial Services
1Roles
0Investments
-Raised

Biography

Nilmi Senaratna co-founded Oolu in 2015, a leading off-grid solar company in West Africa. After completing her Masters in Environment and Sustainability at Western University, she worked in rural Senegal where she witnessed energy poverty firsthand. She led Oolu through Y Combinator's 2015 cohort, raised over $14 million in financing, and scaled the company from 0 to 230+ employees. Under her leadership as CEO and Chief Business Development Officer, Oolu expanded operations across Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria, providing affordable pay-as-you-go solar energy to underserved off-grid households. She currently serves as Strategic Board Advisor and is based in London, UK.

Education

W

MES - Masters in Environment and Sustainability

Western University

2012

W

BSc - Environmental Science

Western University

2011

Languages

EnglishFrenchSinhaleseWolof

Awards

  • 🏆Tech Nations Global Talent Visa (UK, 2020)
  • 🏆Y Combinator Alumna (Summer 2015)