Tech News Summary:
- Apple has partnered with Acumen to support social enterprises in India through a 12-week program called the Energy for Livelihoods Accelerator. The program aims to help social entrepreneurs scale and refine their businesses to transform the lives of those living in poverty and protect the environment.
- Acumen will identify companies with a clear social or environmental mission to participate in the program. Selected social entrepreneurs will receive guidance and support from Acumen experts. Apple is committed to promoting clean energy and ensuring that everyone benefits from a greener economy.
- The Energy for Livelihoods accelerator program provides participants with access to a network of peers, facilitators, and mentors. Additionally, Apple is collaborating with Frank Water to expand access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in India, and partnering with AERF to preserve mangroves in Maharashtra.
Acumen, a global venture capital fund focused on social impact, has partnered with tech giant Apple to launch a game-changing programme for social enterprises called Unlocking Innovation. This unique collaboration aims to empower social entrepreneurs and provide them with the tools they need to create innovative solutions to pressing social challenges.
Unlocking Innovation will leverage Apple’s vast resources, expertise, and technologies to accelerate the growth and impact of social enterprises around the world. The programme will provide selected social entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, training, and funding, ultimately equipping them with the necessary skills to scale their ventures and drive meaningful change in their communities.
Acumen’s selection process for the programme will prioritize entrepreneurs who demonstrate a strong commitment to tackling systemic social problems and creating sustainable change. The program aims to support enterprises across various sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and renewable energy, among others.
Apple’s involvement in this initiative will give social entrepreneurs access to cutting-edge technologies, including app development tools, machine learning capabilities, and the powerful hardware from Apple’s ecosystem. By harnessing the potential of these technologies, social enterprises will be able to create scalable solutions that address complex social issues at a larger scale and with greater efficiency.
Unlocking Innovation will also provide participants with guidance from Apple experts, who will share their insights and experiences to help social entrepreneurs navigate challenges and optimize their solutions. The programme will foster a collaborative environment, enabling entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and best practices with their peers, and facilitating networking opportunities with potential investors and stakeholders.
Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder and CEO of Acumen, expressed her excitement about the partnership with Apple. She stated, “Apple’s commitment to sustainable innovation perfectly aligns with Acumen’s mission of changing the way the world tackles poverty. Unlocking Innovation will enable social entrepreneurs to leverage Apple’s innovation ecosystem and create lasting impact in their communities.”
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, highlighted the role technology plays in addressing social challenges. “We believe that technology has the power to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. By partnering with Acumen, we are leveraging our resources to empower social entrepreneurs and amplify their impact,” said Jackson.
Unlocking Innovation is set to kickstart in the coming months, and applications will be open to social enterprises from around the world. This groundbreaking programme represents a major step forward in leveraging the power of technology and innovation to drive positive social change and create a more equitable future.