Bringing fresh ideas to life in the climatetech industry often requires more than just innovation—it takes funding, mentorship, and the right connections.
Recognizing the structural barriers that many entrepreneurs of color face, Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space (BGS) are making a difference with the Advancing Climatetech and Clean Energy Leaders Program (ACCEL).
This accelerator is dedicated to helping BIPOC-led startups grow by providing essential resources, non-dilutive funding, and networking opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
A Year-Long Journey to Growth
ACCEL isn’t just about giving startups a boost—it’s a comprehensive program designed to help founders refine their products, expand their markets, secure funding, and strengthen their leadership teams.
Each selected startup benefits from a year-long experience that includes:
- A structured curriculum tailored to climatetech ventures
- Incubation at Greentown Labs
- One-on-one mentorship from industry leaders
- $25,000 in grant funding to accelerate business growth
This combination of support helps early-stage companies move forward with confidence, turning bold ideas into tangible solutions for a cleaner future.
Meet the 2025 ACCEL Cohort
This year’s ACCEL program welcomes eight groundbreaking startups that are tackling some of the most pressing sustainability challenges.
Each company is pioneering a unique approach to climatetech:
- Andros Innovations (Cambridge, MA): Led by Laron Burrows, this company has created a cost-effective and environmentally friendly reactor for ammonia production.
- Carbonext (Houston, TX): Founder Olanrewaju Tanimola is advancing battery technology by using 3D-graphene to enhance lithium battery anodes and improve the graphite supply chain.
- FAST Metals (Worcester, MA): Co-founders Sumedh Gostu and Anthony Staley are developing a method to extract valuable metals from industrial waste, particularly bauxite residue.
- Inductive Robotics (Austin, TX): This startup, founded by Madhav Ayyagari and David Alspaugh, is making EV charging more accessible with autonomous robots that bring power directly to parked vehicles.
- PLASENE (Houston, TX): Sohel Shaikh, Alper Gulludag, and Romolo Raciti are transforming plastic waste into liquid fuel and hydrogen through a modular, scalable process.
- Respire Energy (Boston, MA): Founders Dave Hsu, Xiaowei Teng, and Candy Wong are improving energy storage with a non-flammable, long-duration metal-air battery designed for microgrids.
- Tato Labs (Brooklyn, NY): Mecca McDonald and Mia Dunn are creating biodegradable packaging made from potato starch to reduce plastic waste.
- Thola (Portland, ME): Co-founders Nneile Nkholise and Lerato Takana have developed an on-demand marketplace to help commercial buildings improve sustainability and safety.
These startups will officially kick off their ACCEL journey at a public event on March 6 at Greentown’s Boston location.
Building on Past Success
ACCEL has already made a significant impact in its first two years.
More than a dozen early-stage startups have benefited from the program, receiving a total of $325,000 in grant funding.
With over 50 workshops and 20 expert mentors, the initiative has provided valuable insights and connections that help founders scale their businesses.
The program is rooted in the expertise of both Greentown Labs and BGS.
Greentown brings its incubator experience and accelerator programs, while BGS focuses on empowering entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities.
ACCEL’s curriculum is further strengthened by VentureWell, a nonprofit that supports climatetech innovation and venture development.
Greentown Labs: A Hub for Climatetech Innovation
Greentown Labs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing climatetech, has been a driving force in the industry since 2011.
With locations in Somerville, MA, and Houston, TX, Greentown has supported more than 575 startups, helping them create 13,500+ jobs and raise over $8.2 billion in funding.
Today, more than 200 startups call Greentown home, working collaboratively to develop and scale sustainable technologies.
What’s Next?
With the latest ACCEL cohort set to embark on their journey, the future looks bright for these emerging climatetech leaders.
As they refine their innovations and expand their reach, the impact of ACCEL continues to grow—breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive, sustainable future.
Stay tuned for updates as these startups take their next steps toward transforming the industry.