Deborah Gael

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer - Koolboks

Deborah Gael is the Co-founder and COO of Koolboks, a cleantech company delivering solar-powered refrigeration to off-grid communities. Since 2018, she has led the company’s expansion into 25 countries, secured strategic partnerships with companies like Danone and Orange Energies, and contributed to winning awards such as the 2025 Start Up Energy Transition Award and the 2024 Food Tech Challengers Award. Born and raised in the Caribbean, Deborah’s early experiences with climate change inspired her mission to make clean, affordable cooling accessible to underserved communities. She holds advanced degrees in Human Resources and Education and has previously held leadership roles at BNP Paribas and American Express. She is named one of VivaTech’s Top 10 Female Founders in 2021, and she currently serves on the board of La French Tech Lagos, where she promotes cross-border collaboration between France and Nigeria, and advocates for greater representation of women in tech and innovation.