Google is launching its first-ever accelerator program focused on climate change, and a Chicago upstart is among 11 companies named to the inaugural cohort.
Zauben, a Chicago architecture startup that designs "living walls," green roofs and other plant-based systems for buildings, was recently named to the Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change.
The startup, founded in 2019, creates vertical plant walls that naturally purify the air and come with an app that helps users track air quality and moisture levels. It was named one of Time's best inventions of 2020.
The program is a 10-week digital accelerator that's designed to address climate change by working to help scale startups that are improving the environment. The program starts June 7 and will focus on product design, technical infrastructure, customer acquisition and leadership development, Google said.
Startups will get access to Google's network of mentors, senior executives and other industry leaders. The program culminates with a demo day on August 12.
"We are incredibly excited to support this group of entrepreneurs over the next three months and beyond, connecting them with the best of our people, products, and programming to advance their companies and solutions," Google said in a blog post.
Other companies in Google's climate cohort include Minnesota-based 75F and Massachusetts-based Yard Stick.
