Apple is continuing its fight against systemic barriers with another equity initiative to uplift Black and brown tech founders.
Today, Apple unveiled a class of 15 Black and brown-owned businesses developing innovative green technology and clean energy solutions joining the tech giant’s Impact Accelerator program. As part of the program, these businesses have committed to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector while also advancing change for communities most impacted by climate change.
According to an announcement, the 15 businesses come from cities all across the U.S. — including Silicon Valley in California and Detroit, MI — that have demonstrated innovation in environmental sectors like energy efficiency, solar, green chemistry, recycling, and more. The focus of this program is to allow these founders and innovators to offer clean energy, opportunity and vital services to underserved communities nationwide.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first Impact Accelerator class, and look forward to seeing how these innovative businesses will expand their work to protect the planet and our communities,” said Lisa Jackson — Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives — in a statement. “On our journey to our 2030 carbon neutral goal for our supply chain and products, we’re determined to help create a greener and more equitable future for all people. The businesses we’re partnering with today are poised to become tomorrow’s diverse and innovative industry leaders, creating ripples of change to help communities everywhere adapt to the urgent challenges posed by climate change.”
The tech company reports that the Impact Accelerator was created specifically to support Black-, Brown-, Native American and Indigenous-owned businesses that share Apple’s vision of creating state-of-the-art solutions for the environment as they move forward in their next stage of development. Participation in the program offers these businesses customized training and access to Apple experts as well as an alumni community.
After completing the three-month virtual program, companies will have a chance to be considered for opportunities to act as suppliers for Apple to aid in its goal to become carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030. The businesses chosen for the accelerator program include:
- BlocPower — (Climate Technology Company in Brooklyn, NY)
- Mosaic Global Transportation — (Transportation Firm in San Jose, CA)
- Volt Energy Utility — (Utility-Solar Energy Development Firm in Washington, D.C.)
- Bench-Tek Solutions — (Manufacturing and Automation Company in Santa Clara, CA)
- GreenTek Solutions — (Recycling and Reuse Company in Houston, TX)
- Diversified Chemical Technologies, Inc. — (Chemical Safety Firm in Detroit, Michigan)
- Oceti Sakowin Power Authority — (Clean Energy Developer in Tribal Regions Across the Dakotas)
- Vericool, Inc. — (Packaging and Shipment Company in Livermore, CA)
- Dunamis Clean Energy Partners — (Environmental Solutions Company in Southfield, MI)
- VMX International — (Environmental Services Company in Detroit, MI)
- Argent Associates — (Technology Consultancy in Plano, TX)
- Inspectorio (Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Minneapolis, MN)
- Group O — (Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Milan, IL)
- RFG-MPW Environmental & Facility Services — (Industrial Cleaning and Environmental Service Firm in Detroit, MI)
- L2S Engineering, LLC — (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering Design Firm in Leesburg, VA and Apollo Beach, FL)
For more information about Apple’s Impact Accelerator, click here.
