Apple set up its third Impact Accelerator class to help 12 minority-owned green-technology and clean-energy companies develop their businesses, the company said Wednesday.
The training program, in this case for a dozen Black-, Hispanic/Latinx- and Indigenous-owned companies, is part of Cupertino’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.
Apple lines up next Impact Accelerator class for environmentally innovative businesses
Apple said its Impact Accelerator classes “help mature, diverse businesses scale their impact and reach the next stage of development.”
As Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, put it:
With the third cohort of our Impact Accelerator, we’re honored to support businesses whose innovations are paving the way to a greener, more equitable future. From renewable energy to recycling and more, these diverse leaders are serving their communities, expanding opportunity and pioneering new solutions in the fight against climate change. We’re proud to support their journeys — and we can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next.
In a 12-week program, the group will receive targeted trainings, executive coaching, skills-development opportunities, one-to-one mentorship and access to Apple subject-matter experts, Cupertino said.
And it doesn’t end there. After the class ends, alumni receive ongoing professional support, including access to Apple experts and invitations to Supplier Success community networking events.
Apple said it will also consider working with the companies directly as it pursues its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its manufacturing supply chain by 2030.
12 U.S. companies that could make a difference
Read below how Apple described the 12 businesses, which it said reflect its three environmental priority areas: climate change, resources and smarter chemistry.
Alard Engineering — Gardena, CA
Alard Engineering invests in sustainable manufacturing practices, including metal chip recycling, coolant optimization and chemical treatment, that minimize its environmental impact. Alard offers a full range of advanced manufacturing services, from one-of-a-kind articles to full-rate production.
Ares Materials — Plano, TX
Ares Materials is a product chemistry company that offers an AI-enabled, thiol-based chemistry platform to enable the design of bespoke, eco-friendly polymers tailored for the unique needs of next-generation displays.
COI Energy — Brooklyn, NY
COI Energy’s technology optimizes energy performance and minimizes energy demand, allowing companies to meet their emissions goals, comply with rising energy-efficiency standards and make and save money. COI Energy utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to eliminate energy waste in buildings and repurpose the waste for good.
Compactor Management Company — Union City, CA
Compactor Management Company provides comprehensive solutions for waste and recycling management, covering all aspects related to the collection and disposal of waste and recycling materials. The company educates and empowers businesses, enabling them to embrace sustainability and actively contribute to building a cleaner, greener and more environmentally sustainable future.
Elite Energy Distribution — Brookfield, WI
Elite Energy Distribution is a First Nation electronic scrap and battery recycling company with services including rigging, removal, logistics, de-installation, transportation and more. The company recycles 100 percent of electronic and battery waste with zero-percent landfill, all while maintaining certification standards.
Green Earth Sustainable Solution, Inc. — San Jose, CA
Green Earth Sustainable Solution is a recycling company specializing in waste-minimization programs that reduce environmental impact. The company also offers services to assist its clients in developing and implementing customized sustainable business practices focusing on waste management, landfill diversion and zero waste certification.
GridChain — Atlanta
GridChain seeks to eliminate waste in energy and water resources and reduce carbon emissions by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. GridChain’s SaaS solutions platform identifies and alerts owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to anomalies jeopardizing operations, readiness and expected returns on investments.
RIFE International — Bethesda, MD
RIFE International is driven by a fundamental purpose: to propel energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions, electro-mobility infrastructure, and climate technology. The company’s comprehensive strategy not only tackles environmental challenges head-on but also cultivates profitability through sustainable clean energy answers.
eSmart Recycling — Tampa, FL
eSmart Recycling combines environmental sustainability and social-impact metrics, which results in a holistic approach to offsetting carbon emissions through recycling technology — at both a corporate and residential level — and the empowerment of local communities by enabling access to technology and education.
SEEL — Detroit
Among other services, SEEL provides energy-efficiency education and energy-saving consultations, appliance recycling and direct installation of energy-saving products. SEEL designs and implements community-informed turnkey energy solutions to help utilities and partners reach their clean energy goals.
Superior Innovative Solutions — Detroit
Superior Innovative Solutions delivers sustainable environmental solutions for its customers, with a focus on recycling oils and coolants and incorporating environmentally friendly cleaning materials into its processes. A full-service industrial cleaning, waste management, and janitorial company, SIS develops and implements specialized service plans and provides industrial management and waste solutions.
TSP Solutions — Florence, KY
TSP Solutions is a full-service provider of inks and coatings. Its offerings include commercialized inks and coatings that integrate plant-based, biodegradable, and biorenewable raw materials, reducing the environmental impacts of traditional printing processes.
For more information about the Impact Accelerator program, click here.
Source: Apple
