The open-innovation program requests applications from leading startups with CO₂-mineralization technologies for concrete-aggregate production
SOMERVILLE, Mass. and HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Greentown Labs, the world’s largest climatetech and energy incubator, today announced Greentown Go Build 2026—an open-innovation program with Amazon and the Global CO₂ Initiative (GCI) at the University of Michigan aimed at accelerating collaborations with startups in the field of CO₂ utilization.
Specifically, Go Build 2026 seeks to speed the development and implementation of advanced CO₂-mineralization technologies to decarbonize the built environment—both within Amazon’s operations and the construction industry more broadly.
Startups selected will gain the opportunity to collaborate directly with decarbonization and material-circularity experts from Amazon’s global team. Top carbon utilization and sequestration researchers at GCI and Greentown’s world-leading network of entrepreneur-focused resources will also support startups throughout the program. These collaborations could take many forms, including but not limited to:
- Validated technical pathways
- Performance data under real-world construction conditions
- Economic models for commercial-scale implementation
- Integration protocols for existing concrete-production facilities
- Quality-control and testing methodologies
- Supply-chain-optimization strategies
- Venture-support workshops and structured mentorship
- Curated networking opportunities with industry leaders
Go Build 2026 is seeking applications from startups with a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 and higher. Cohort participants will receive desk space at Greentown and have access to entrepreneur-focused programming and networking events for the duration of the program, as well as a need-based stipend to support program participation.
Amazon is investing in decarbonizing its global network of buildings—from fulfillment centers and offices to data centers and grocery stores—as part of its goal to reach net-zero carbon across operations by 2040. Its standardized approach focuses on five key areas: prioritizing carbon-free energy, increasing energy efficiency, using lower-carbon refrigerants, utilizing lower-carbon construction materials, and reducing on-site water use and waste. Through its $2B Climate Pledge Fund, Amazon also invests in novel climate technologies including more sustainable building and construction materials.
“Advancing climate solutions requires the right combination of innovation, technical validation, and real-world implementation,” said Kommy Weldemariam, Director of Science and Innovation Sustainability at Amazon. “This collaboration brings together Amazon’s operational expertise, Greentown’s startup-acceleration resources, and the Global CO₂ Initiative’s technical capabilities to create a pathway from identifying breakthrough technologies to deployment, supporting not only Amazon’s Climate Pledge goal, but industry-wide decarbonization.”
Based at the University of Michigan, GCI provides the independent leadership to scale the new industry of CO₂ capture, utilization, and sequestration to climatological significance. This goal is supported by its work in five areas: evaluation, research, education, training, and outreach. GCI accelerates carbon-management innovation by supporting climatetech companies with analysis and advice, and by developing harmonized life-cycle and techno-economic assessment frameworks and practical tools to bring lower-carbon products to market.
“Given that the buildings and construction industry accounts for upwards of 35 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, this competition has the potential to make a substantial impact on the world’s future carbon footprint,” remarked Dr. Dan Cooper, the Director of GCI. “With Amazon’s deep commitment to sustainability and Greentown’s proven track record of facilitating climatetech entrepreneurs, we could not have asked for better partners!”
In addition to its startup incubators, Greentown runs cohort-based Greentown Go programs across five tracks: Go Make (manufacturing), Go Move (transportation), Go Energize (energy and electricity), Go Build (buildings), and Go Grow (food and agriculture). These open-innovation programs address industry’s most pressing climate challenges by facilitating partnerships between leading corporations and climatetech entrepreneurs.
“Imagine if every new building could store carbon instead of emitting it—that’s the promise of carbon valorization,” said Georgina Campbell Flatter, Greentown’s CEO. “This collaboration is what Greentown is all about—bringing entrepreneurs, industry, and researchers together to turn climate ambition into action. By uniting Amazon’s scale with GCI’s scientific depth, we can help innovators test, validate, and scale technologies that turn captured carbon into the next generation of cleaner, stronger, and more affordable materials for everyone.”
Applications for Go Build 2026 are due by Jan. 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants may apply from anywhere in the world. To learn more and apply, visit the Go Build 2026 website.
About Greentown Labs
Greentown Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerating climatetech innovation and commercialization by empowering entrepreneurs and enabling collaboration. As the largest climatetech and energy startup incubator in the world—with locations in Somerville, Mass. and Houston, Texas—Greentown convenes the climatetech ecosystem to provide entrepreneurs the community, connections, labs, and resources they need to thrive. Greentown is home to more than 200 startups and has supported more than 625 since its founding in 2011; these startups have collectively created more than 16,500 jobs and raised more than $9.6 billion in funding. For more information, visit www.greentownlabs.com or follow Greentown on LinkedIn.
Greentown Media Contact:
Reena Karasin
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
[email protected]
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
Amazon Media Contact:
[email protected]
About the Global CO₂ Initiative at the University of Michigan
The Global CO₂ Initiative at the University of Michigan recognizes that addressing climate change requires using multiple strategies simultaneously. Nature based solutions like planting trees are a necessary part of the solution, but they are not enough by themselves. By recognizing that excess atmospheric carbon dioxide is a valuable resource for making products, we can drive billions of dollars in economic development, help meet our environmental and climate goals, and ensure reliable supply chains for the future.
Global CO₂ Initiative Media Contact:
Kristi Kattapong
Communications Manager
[email protected]
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