Erik Hersman is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gridless Compute, an African Bitcoin-mining company that acts as a flexible buyer of electricity from renewable mini-grid operators. By using otherwise stranded or underutilized power, Gridless aims to improve project economics while expanding generation for rural communities. Hersman is a long-time African technology entrepreneur associated with Ushahidi, Nairobi's iHub, BRCK and Savannah Fund.
Gridless Compute
Gridless colocates modular Bitcoin mining with small renewable energy producers and can absorb surplus power as a controllable load. Projects have been publicly discussed in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia; verify each site's live status, generation source and community impact. Mining economics depend on Bitcoin price, network difficulty, equipment, uptime, energy contracts and local regulation.
Funding
Gridless announced a $2 million seed round in 2022 led by Stillmark and Block with participation from Factor[e]. Track operating sites, installed capacity and geographic expansion only through current Gridless disclosures. Separate Gridless Compute from the unrelated U.S. battery company using the Gridless name (gridless.com).
Earlier Work
Hersman co-founded Ushahidi, the crisis-mapping and civic-technology platform; founded Nairobi's iHub technology community in 2010; and co-founded BRCK, focused on connectivity and edge infrastructure in Africa. General Partner history with Savannah Fund; verify current status before display.
