Two Climate Tech Startups Win $25k from Dream.Org to Scale Cutting-Edge Solutions
Peers selected two winners from the final cohort of ten Black and Latinx innovators participating in the Dream Climate Tech Launchpad program
San Jose, Calif. - October 30, 2023 - Dream.Org announced the winners of the Dream Climate Tech Launchpad who will receive $25,000 to scale their green businesses. Waju Water and Frontline Gig were peer-selected from the final cohort of ten Black- and Latinx-led startups creating innovative solutions for communities most impacted by climate change.
With support from the Salesforce Foundation, the San Francisco 49ers, and Wells Fargo, Dream.Org and Village Capital launched the fellowship program to help minority entrepreneurs scale their cutting-edge ideas. More than 40 startups from 13 states applied to be a part of the accelerator; 10 finalists were selected to participate, with 70% of companies being female-led and 100% Black- and Latinx-led.
Over twelve weeks, finalists were guided through a milestone-based program to deepen their expertise and expand their network of potential partners, investors, consultants, customers, and other founders in the US. Each startup in the final cohort received $5,000 for participating in the program.
“We need bold, innovative solutions to solve our world’s greatest challenges like climate change, but all too often, money and power flow to the same people and places, leaving behind disadvantaged communities that are closest to the problem,” said Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.Org. “The Dream Climate Tech Launchpad elevates entrepreneurs of color to not only scale their innovative solutions but also to change the narrative about who holds the genius in the climate tech space.”
“By reducing barriers for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the climate tech space, Dream.Org’s investment is helping ensure disadvantaged communities not only benefit from new green tech but are also a part of the work and wealth opportunities those solutions promise,“ said Kasheef Wyzard, National Tech Director at Dream.Org. “We are proud to support these innovators as they lead the way towards a more inclusive green economy.”
“It is an honor to be selected from such an extraordinary group of talent to receive this award,” said Chris Oates, the CEO of WAJU Water, a beverage company upcycling water from fruit to make eco-friendly, healthy drinks. “I hope Waju Water inspires other mission-driven BIPOC entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams .”
“We developed Frontline Gig to improve the world environmentally and economically, and we are honored for our hard work to be recognized,” said Dr. Kala Fleming, the CEO of Frontline Gig, a program connecting non-traditional blue-collar workers with climate and green work opportunities. “We are grateful for this opportunity to scale our business and more individuals and communities benefit from green jobs.”
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ABOUT DREAM.ORG
Dream.Org works to make the American dream a reality - for all of us. We close prison doors and open doors of opportunity. We bring people together across racial, social, and partisan lines to create a future with freedom, dignity, and opportunity for all. Learn more at Dream.Org.
