Apple has partnered with Acumen to launch a new initiative in India aimed at supporting social enterprises and promoting clean energy innovation to improve people’s livelihoods. The Energy for Livelihoods Accelerator, led by Acumen experts, will provide a 12-week program to help social entrepreneurs scale and refine their businesses, benefiting those living in poverty while also protecting the environment.
Applications for the program are currently open, and the programming will commence in September. Social enterprise leaders working on sustainable energy solutions for small businesses and farmers in India are encouraged to apply before July 24.
Apple’s Vice President of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation, Sarah Chandler, expressed the company’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to the benefits of a greener economy. Apple aims to demonstrate the transformative power of clean energy and is enthusiastic about supporting social innovators who share their goals.
Acumen, with over two decades of experience investing in early-stage social enterprises in India, has a strong focus on addressing poverty-related issues. Their recent investments have been in the field of energy access and livelihoods. Acumen’s Director of India, Mahesh Yagnaraman, expressed excitement about partnering with Apple to build an ecosystem of scalable social businesses in India that are dedicated to improving livelihoods through sustainable energy.
Participants in the program will gain access to a supportive network of peers, facilitators, and mentors. They will also become part of Acumen Academy’s global community, The Foundry, and will have the opportunity to receive technical assistance and early-stage investment from Acumen’s Pioneer Energy Investment Initiative (PEII+).
Apart from their collaboration with Acumen, Apple has partnered with Frank Water to expand access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in India, as well as with the Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) to preserve mangroves along the country’s west coast.
Apple is fully committed to its Apple 2030 goal of achieving carbon neutrality for all its products. To accomplish this, they have secured commitments from more than 250 global manufacturing partners, including 12 in India, to use 100 percent renewable energy for Apple production by 2030. Furthermore, all final assembly sites in India have achieved zero waste. Apple has also expanded its Restore Fund for carbon removal and announced new 2025 targets to incorporate 100 percent recycled cobalt, recycled rare earth elements, and recycled gold plating and tin soldering in their products.