As climate change accelerates, people of color in the United States and elsewhere often bear the worst consequences of the planet's increasingly dire weather conditions.
Apple Inc. is looking for entrepreneurs from such backgrounds who are working on solutions to the problem.
Later this year, the Cupertino-based tech giant plans to run the second iteration of its Impact Accelerator program. That program aims to help Black, Indigenous and Latinx entrepreneurs who are developing green technology companies build their businesses and improve their management skills. Apple plans to connect such companies to its supply chain partners as it aims to get to zero net carbon emissions for that part of its business.
"We cannot build a greener economy without building a more just one, where communities most impacted by environmental harms lead us toward solutions," Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives, said in a press release.
Announced last month, Apple's accelerator program will last 12 weeks, going from Aug. 1 and Oct. 28 and will be held remotely. To be eligible, a company must be headquartered in the United States and be at least 51% owned by a Black, Indigenous or Latinx person, according to Apple's application brochure. Unlike other accelerators, which tend to focus on nascent companies, the iPhone maker's is targeting more mature businesses.
It's seeking companies that "have reached commercial-scale deployment and can contribute to one or more of Apple's environmental priority areas," according to its brochure.
Businesses have until April 30 to apply for the program.
Apple is looking in particular for companies that are focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon removal, recycling technologies, water stewardship and other areas, according to its brochure. It didn't say how many companies it will select for this year's program; last year, 15 participated.
Another difference from other accelerator program's: Apple isn't promising funding for participants. Instead, it says it will invest on a "case-by-case basis."
Apple representatives didn't provide further details.
Last year, the company enrolled three Bay Area startups in the initial session of its Impact Accelerator program. Among those companies was Mosaic Global Transportation.
Based in San Jose and headed by Maurice Brewster, Mosaic provides commuter shuttles and car rides for meetings and events. At the time, Mosaic was aiming to replace its gas-fueled vehicles with electric-powered ones.
