ACCEL, an accelerator from Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space (BGS), is bolstering startups led by BIPOC and other underrepresented founders as they develop critical climatetech solutions by offering access to funding, networking connections, resources, and opportunities that structural inequities put out of reach.
Now in its third year, this program combines acceleration with a curated curriculum, incubation through Greentown Labs membership, and extensive mentorship from Greentown and BGS’s networks of industry experts.
Greentown and BGS know the climatetech industry must change the status quo to equitably position founders from all backgrounds to lead startups that will address climate change, support the development of diverse workforces, and fiercely advocate for the deployment of clean technologies in historically underserved communities.
ACCEL Year 3 Cohort
Andros Innovations
Andros Innovations (Cambridge, Mass.) has developed a revolutionary reactor that produces ammonia more cheaply, cleanly, and safely than traditional methods do. Its founder is Laron Burrows.
Carbonext
Carbonext (Houston, Texas) is leveraging a proprietary, off-the-shelf 3D-graphene technology to develop integrated solutions with carbon-coated silicon anodes to address current challenges in the graphite ecosystem, as well as lithium-battery anodes. Its founder is Olanrewaju Tanimola.
FAST Metals
FAST Metals (Worcester, Mass.) has developed a hydrometallurgical-recovery process capable of extracting iron, aluminum, scandium, titanium, and other rare-earth elements from industrial tailings such as bauxite residue—also known as red mud—which is produced as a waste byproduct in the primary extraction of aluminum. Its founders are Sumedh Gostu and Anthony Staley.
Inductive Robotics
Inductive Robotics (Austin, Texas) deploys autonomous robots that deliver EV charging directly to parked vehicles in commercial parking facilities, using a subscription-based model. Its founders are Madhav Ayyagari and David Alspaugh.
Plasene
PLASENE (Houston, Texas) offers an innovative platform that converts plastic waste into liquid fuel and low-carbon hydrogen by leveraging proprietary catalysts and modular, scalable, pre-engineered units. Its founders are Sohel Shaikh, Alper Gulludag, and Romolo Raciti.
Respire Energy
Respire Energy (Boston, Mass.) is redefining energy storage with a safe, low-cost, and long-duration metal-air battery designed for microgrids. Built with non-flammable and earth-abundant materials, it delivers eight-plus hours of reliable energy storage and backup power. Its founders are Dave Hsu, Xiaowei Teng, and Candy Wong.
Tato Labs
Tato Labs (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is developing scalable, innovative, bioplastic products and packaging solutions that leverage potato starch, protect and preserve the natural ecosystem, and minimize plastic waste. Its founder is Mecca McDonald.
Thola
Thola (Portland, Maine) provides an on-demand marketplace for commercial-building sustainability and safety management, with a mission to decarbonize old buildings. Its founders are Nneile Nkholise and Lerato Takana.
Funders
Curriculum + Resources Partner
ACCEL Alumni
