In the midst of moving house, Tessa Clarke encountered a common problem that would eventually inspire her to create a groundbreaking solution. Left with surplus food in her fridge, she envisioned a platform that would allow people to share excess items with their neighbors. This idea laid the foundation for Olio, a social enterprise that has evolved into a force for good, connecting communities and addressing the critical issue of food waste.
A Social Enterprise Making a Difference
Olio, born as a WhatsApp group, has grown exponentially, with 7 million users and up to a million regularly engaged every month. The app facilitates the sharing of surplus food, along with various other items like clothing, books, toys, and more. During the pandemic, Olio experienced a fivefold growth, emphasizing its essential role in fostering community connections and addressing environmental concerns.
One noteworthy aspect of Olio’s success is its collaboration with major retailers, including Tesco, Iceland, and Holland & Barrett. Approximately two-thirds of the items shared on the app now come from these partnerships, demonstrating Olio’s ability to integrate its mission into mainstream businesses. Even TV program producers have joined hands with Olio to redistribute unused perishables, showcasing the app’s versatile impact.
Tackling Food Waste and Climate Change
Tessa Clarke recognizes the pivotal role Olio plays in combating food waste, a key contributor to carbon emissions. With 7.5 million tons of edible food wasted annually in the UK alone, Olio’s impact extends beyond environmental concerns. The app aligns with the urgent need to address the cost of living crisis and hunger by redistributing surplus food to those in need.
The pandemic, as Clarke notes, shifted the narrative around environmental issues, making people more conscious of the benefits of a local community. Olio, with its simple and feel-good solutions, became a beacon of hope in the post-Covid world, providing tangible ways for individuals to contribute positively to the environment.
The Importance of Female Founders
Tessa Clarke and her co-founder, Saasha Celestial-One, have not only revolutionized the way communities share resources but have also shattered gender norms in the tech industry. Olio stands out as a tech firm founded and led by women, a rarity in a sector predominantly dominated by men.
Clarke acknowledges the challenges female founders face in securing equity investment, with less than 2% of such funding going to high-growth companies led by women in the UK. She emphasizes the need to change the landscape of capital deployment, calling for a shift in focus from male-centric sectors like crypto and fintech to community-based solutions addressing the climate crisis.
