Apple introduced its second Impact Accelerator class Thursday. It’s made up of leaders from 16 minority-owned businesses that work in environmental services. They’ll be trained and mentored to help grow the businesses, which may end up partnering with Apple.
And at the same time, they’ll advance “a shared goal of creating a greener world,” Apple said.
Apple launches second Impact Accelerator business class as part of Racial Equity and Justice Initiative
The Impact Accelerator class of 16 Black-, Hispanic/Latinx- and Indigenous-owned businesses is part of Apple’s far-reaching Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.
“The fight to address climate change demands that we band together to develop innovative solutions while empowering and uplifting the communities we’re working to protect,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives.
“We are thrilled for this dynamic group of innovators to take their important work to the next level with help from our Impact Accelerator, and we are proud to deepen our commitment to working with partners around the country to ensure that environmental progress and equity go hand in hand,” she added.
Chasing business and environmental goals in 3-month program
The companies will participate in a three-month program aimed at accelerating progress toward their goals, Cupertino said.
Executives and their teams will receive training that provides knowledge and tools needed to succeed as an Apple supplier.
They’ll gain access to Apple mentors and experts to help align business priorities with environmental goals. And scholarship opportunities with leading executive-education programs will focus on supply chain and growth.
They may do business with Apple
Following the program, the companies will be considered for business opportunities with Apple. The tech giant is working to achieve carbon neutrality across its manufacturing supply chain by 2030, it said.
Apple has been carbon neutral for its corporate operations since 2020.
The Impact Accelerator program launched last year. Its goal is to ensure Apple’s strategic work and investments to protect the environment also help expand access to opportunity for communities of color.
After participating in the program, companies in the first Impact Accelerator class saw increased recognition for their work within their sector and local communities, Apple said.
The companies also built connections with public- and private-sector leaders advancing climate-based solutions at the local and state levels.
Several of the companies are currently working with Apple as part of its supply chain network. And every company has participated in selective opportunities to be assessed for potential business with Apple.
Who’s in the new class?
The 16 businesses in the new class cover a lot of ground in terms of what they do. One created the world’s largest water database. Another led clean energy projects on tribal lands to helping farmers improve soil management.
And generally, the businesses drive innovations in clean energy, water, recycling, carbon removal and energy efficiency, Apple said.
The business are also diverse in terms of geography and management. They span six time zones across the U.S., and include family-owned small businesses, woman-owned enterprises and public-benefit corporations.
Cupertino said all of the companies share its commitment to serving communities disproportionately affected by climate change and other environmental challenges.
Read more here about the participating businesses (includes video).
