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Year 1 — 2023

Six startups developing groundbreaking climate solutions joined the inaugural ACCEL cohort, bringing innovations ranging from food waste sneakers to hemp ultracapacitors to ultra-light solar panels.

[ 02 ]Year 1 Cohort

EarthBond

Cambridge, MA

Group financing and carbon accounting for Nigeria’s off-grid generator market

Founded by Chidalu Onyenso

florrent

Amherst, MA

Ultracapacitors made from hemp farmed by Indigenous and BIPOC farmers

Co-founded by Jose LaSalle, Joe Hastry, Alexander Nichols

DrinKicks

Houston, TX

Sneakers made from food waste and recycled materials

Co-founded by Kristeen Reynolds, Michael Fletcher, Kristen Lee

SpadXTech

Worcester, MA

Versatile material platform for packaging, textiles, transportation, and filtration

Co-founded by Lina M. Gonzalez, Connor Crawford

frakktal

Houston, TX

Bio-based polymers replacing fossil-fuel feedstocks

Founded by Jhana Porter

Active Surfaces

Salem, MA

Ultra-thin-film, flexible solar technology for dual land-use

Co-founded by Shivam Bhakta, Richard Swartwout

[ 03 ]Founding Partners
Greentown LabsBrowning the Green Space

Funders

MassCECBarr FoundationIon District

Curriculum & Resources Partner

VentureWell
[ 06 ]Get Involved

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Help underrepresented founders build the climate solutions we need.