Apple partners non-profit fund Acumen to boost clean energy innovation in India

Apple on Thursday introduced it has joined nonprofit influence funding fund Acumen to assist social enterprises in India to enhance livelihoods by way of clean energy innovation.

Through the ‘Energy for Livelihoods Accelerator’, Acumen specialists will lead a 12-week programme designed to assist social entrepreneurs scale and refine their companies to rework the lives of individuals dwelling in poverty, whereas additionally defending the surroundings.

“Apple is dedicated to serving to guarantee everybody can share in the advantages of a greener financial system,” mentioned Sarah Chandler, Apple’s vice chairman of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation. “We’re demonstrating the transformative potential of clean energy in all the things we do, and excited to assist social innovators who share that objective,” she added.

Who can apply?

Applications are open now, with programming starting in September this 12 months.

Leaders of social enterprises — companies with a transparent social or environmental mission — working to advance sustainable energy options for small companies and farmers in India are invited to apply by way of July 24.

“For over 20 years, Acumen has invested in early-stage social enterprises addressing issues of poverty in India, and a few of our most modern latest investments have been on the intersection of energy entry and livelihoods,” mentioned Mahesh Yagnaraman, Acumen’s director of India.

“We are excited to accomplice with Appleto proceed constructing an ecosystem of scalable social companies in India dedicated to bettering livelihoods utilizing sustainable energy,” he added.

Program contributors will achieve entry to a supportive community of friends, facilitators, and mentors. Afterward, they’re going to be welcomed into Acumen Academy’s world neighborhood, The Foundry, and shall be eligible for technical help and early-stage funding from Acumen’s Pioneer Energy Investment Initiative (PEII+).

In India, in addition to working with Acumen, Applehas partnered with Frank Water to increase entry to secure consuming water, sanitation, and hygiene; and with the Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) to protect mangroves alongside India’s west coast.