#United States #Amazon #Somerville #Greentown Labs #Global CO₂ Initiative

Greentown Labs Unveils Innovations to Combat CO₂ Emissions

On March 19, 2026, Greentown Labs, the foremost climatetech and energy incubator, announced its startup cohort for the innovative "Greentown Go Build 2026" program in collaboration with Amazon and the Global CO₂ Initiative (GCI). This initiative focuses on groundbreaking CO₂ mineralization technologies aimed at decarbonizing the built environment, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

After an extensive selection process involving 62 applicants from 25 countries, five pioneering startups emerged as participants in this program. These selected startups promise to make significant contributions to the field:

1. Carbon Infuse (Brooklyn, New York, U.S.) develops an innovative technology that transforms industrial waste and flue gases into more affordable and sustainable materials for construction and manufacturing.
2. Carbon Negative Solutions (Portland, Oregon, U.S.) specializes in turning regional industrial wastes and minerals into carbon-negative cement supplements, helping to enhance sustainability in construction.
3. Carbon To Stone (Tappan, New York, U.S.) focuses on converting industrial residues and CO₂ into lower-carbon construction materials, significantly impacting cement and concrete production.
4. Low Carbon Materials (Durham, United Kingdom) is working on a unique range of carbon-sequestering additives that enhance concrete and asphalt’s sustainability.
5. Neocrete (Auckland, New Zealand) has developed an innovative additive that allows low-carbon materials to mimic cement properties, reducing both carbon footprint and costs while enhancing durability.

These startups will have direct access to Amazon's global team of experts in decarbonization and material circularity. Their collaboration will include technology validation, supply chain strategy development, and venture-support workshops. Moreover, they will benefit from GCI's top researchers and Greentown's comprehensive resources, which encompass software, business support, and an extensive mentorship program.

Amazon’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through its efforts to decarbonize its extensive network of buildings, including data centers and fulfillment centers. The company aims to achieve net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040, focusing on five prioritizing areas: carbon-free energy, enhanced energy efficiency, lower-carbon refrigerants, sustainable construction materials, and waste reduction.

Chris Atkins, Director of Worldwide Operations Sustainability at Amazon, remarked on the program's global impact: "We’re hopeful for the response this program has received as it reflects the rising innovation in this domain. Decarbonizing our buildings is crucial for fulfilling our Climate Pledge, and we believe that collaborating with promising startups on lower-carbon materials is vital for progress in the construction sector."

Diving deeper into the implications of this initiative, Dr. Dan Cooper, the Director of the Global CO₂ Initiative, emphasized the construction industry's substantial role in global greenhouse gas emissions, stating that these startups could significantly influence future carbon footprints.

Greentown Labs not only fosters such startup initiatives like Greentown Go Build but also runs various cohorts targeting the climate crisis across other sectors including energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. This multifaceted approach encourages collaborations between corporations and climatetech entrepreneurs to tackle some of the most pressing climate challenges.

Georgina Campbell Flatter, CEO of Greentown, pointed out the critical nature of networks in facilitating innovation. She declared, "While these startups are creating revolutionary carbon-valorization technologies, real change requires a solid network of customers, industry experts, and investors. The Greentown Go Build 2026 initiative will catalyze synergy among participating startups, Amazon, and GCI, granting these entrepreneurs the essential access to leaders who can expedite their deployment efforts."

The inaugural event for the Go Build 2026 cohort is set for April 1 at Greentown Boston, marking a significant step in this pivotal collaboration. Interested parties can learn more and register for the event through Greentown's official channels.

About Greentown Labs

Greentown Labs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating climatetech innovation. As the largest climatetech and energy startup incubator globally, it creates essential ecosystems to support entrepreneurs with labs, equipment, funding, talent, and community resources. With over 250 startups and a remarkable track record of fostering over 675 since its inception in 2011, Greentown has played a vital role in creating thousands of jobs and raising substantial funding in the climatetech space. For further details, visit Greentown Labs.

About Amazon

Amazon’s framework is built upon distinct principles aimed at customer-centric innovation and operational excellence. As a leader in technology, Amazon emphasizes sustainability in its operations, striving to be Earth’s most customer-centric and best employer. Comprehensive business solutions and innovations pioneered by Amazon are consistently raising the standards across industries.

About the Global CO₂ Initiative

Situated at the University of Michigan, the Global CO₂ Initiative is committed to addressing climate change through diverse strategies, recognizing the importance of utilizing excess atmospheric CO₂ as a resource. By fostering innovation in carbon capture and utilization, GCI supports the economic and environmental objectives essential for sustainable development.