As part of its startup accelerator program, Google has decided to launch a subset of the program, the “Circular Economy.”
Included in the larger startup accelerator program, the ‘Circular Economy’ program focuses on startups and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Pakistan, Asia Pacific and North America to address circularity challenges.
It’s a 10-week virtual accelerator program that takes startups from seed to stage one of their evolution and helps them work towards a zero-waste world.
In a statement announcing the program, Google said the Asia Pacific is a good starting point for innovation and creation of circular economy solutions.
“This is the most vulnerable region in the world to the effects of climate change.”
Just 10 rivers contribute 90 percent of all river-borne plastic to the ocean, eight of which are in APAC. By 2040, Asia is expected to account for 40 percent of global consumption, Google said.
“Humanity consumes far more than the planet can naturally replenish.”
With global demand for resources estimated to exceed 1.75 times what Earth’s ecosystems can naturally reproduce in a year, the deficit will continue to grow.
Furthermore, many of the resources that are extracted and used eventually become waste – adding to the more than 2 billion tons of solid waste produced each year.
The program hopes to support startups that will help create a circular economy that is safer, more sustainable, and more equitable for all, rebuilding their relationship with physical resources and circular will solve the challenges.
What about selected startups?
Through a mix of 1-to-1 and 1-to-many learning sessions, the accelerator will offer 10 weeks of virtual programming that includes technical support and guidance from Google engineers and external experts.
Participants will also be assigned a dedicated “Success Manager” specific to their organization for greater support.
Applications for the program will open on October 4 and applications will be accepted until November 14, 2022.
The program is expected to start in February 2023.
