Greentown Labs and BGS Launch ACCEL for BIPOC-led Climatetech Innovation

Greentown Labs, in collaboration with Browning the Green Space (BGS), has announced the third cohort for the Advancing Climatetech and Clean Energy Leaders Program (ACCEL). This initiative is focused on empowering start-up ventures led by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) founders, providing them with the financial support, resources, and extensive mentorship necessary for developing impactful climatetech solutions. This year, eight innovative startups have been selected to participate in this pivotal year-long accelerator program.

The ACCEL program is designed to address structural inequities that can impede BIPOC entrepreneurs from effectively accessing the resources required to nurture their business concepts. There is a collective effort to combine startup acceleration with a specialized curriculum and incubation at Greentown Labs. The program also includes valuable mentorship from industry professionals associated with both Greentown Labs and BGS. This holistic approach includes not just support for product and technology development, but also avenues for market development, fundraising, and team management.

The chosen startups will receive $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding aimed at fostering their growth. The selection process was highly competitive, with over 140 applications vying for a spot in this transformative program. The diverse range of ventures includes groundbreaking innovations from clean energy solutions to advanced bioplastics, showcasing the spectrum of creativity and relevance in today's climate action narrative.

Among the startups accepted into the third cohort is Andros Innovations, hailing from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founders Laron Burrows and his team have developed an innovative reactor that produces ammonia in a more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly manner than existing methods. Carbonext from Houston, Texas, is focusing on tackling challenges in the graphite ecosystem by introducing a proprietary 3D-graphene technology that promises to create better-integrated solutions for lithium-ion batteries.

In Worcester, FAST Metals has pioneered a process capable of extracting a range of valuable elements from industrial waste. This hydrometallurgical recovery process highlights the potential for reusing materials that would otherwise contribute to environmental pollution. Meanwhile, Inductive Robotics, based in Austin, Texas, is redefining convenience with their autonomous robots for delivering EV charging services directly to parked vehicles, utilizing a subscription model for commercial parking facilities.

PLASENE, another Houston-based winner, is making strides in waste management by converting plastic refuse into liquid fuel and low-carbon hydrogen. Their methodology employs unique catalysts and modular units. From Boston, Respire Energy aims to set a new standard in energy storage with their intricate metal-air battery solutions designed for microgrids, providing a sustainable energy backup that is both reliable and safe.

New York's Tato Labs is carving its niche in the bioplastics arena, creating biodegradable packaging solutions that use potato starch to mitigate plastic waste while preserving the environment. Finally, based out of Portland, Maine, Thola is committed to providing an on-demand marketplace focused on the sustainability management of commercial buildings, addressing the pressing need for decarbonization in existing infrastructure.

The results from the first two years of the ACCEL program have already set a precedent, supporting over a dozen climatetech startups with a total of $325,000 in grant funding. These efforts have birthed significant achievements, including seven pilot projects and over $18 million in capital mobilization from grants, customers, and fundraising. The program showcases an impressive blend of innovation, community support, and action-oriented solutions to tackle climate change.

Greentown Labs is eager to multiply these successes with the new cohort, as they aim to position Massachusetts as a leader in climatetech innovation. Supported by key organizations like the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Equinor, and Microsoft, ACCEL integrates extensive educational resources and offers a network of mentors to guide these ventures on their journey to success.

Greentown CEO Georgina Campbell Flatter expressed enthusiasm regarding the selected startups, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to tackling climate issues. BGS's Co-founder, Kerry Bowie, also echoed the sentiment, stressing the necessity for inclusive efforts in addressing climate change.

The public kickoff event for the ACCEL cohort will take place on March 6 at Greentown's Boston location, where insights from participants will be shared and opportunities for networking will abound. As the program unfolds, there is high anticipation for the impactful change these BIPOC-led startups will achieve in the climatetech landscape well into the future.