Greentown Labs announced five startups for the Go Build 2026 accelerator with Amazon. The program focuses on CO2 mineralization technologies for concrete production, selected from 62 applicants from 25 countries.

Today, March 19, 2026, the world's largest climatetech and energy incubator, Greentown Labs, introduced a cohort of five innovative startups. The Greentown Go Build 2026 program, in collaboration with Amazon and the Global CO2 Initiative, aims to decarbonize construction through CO2 mineralization. This is critical as construction generates 39% of global CO2 emissions, and Amazon is investing in technologies to meet the Climate Pledge by 2040.

Five Accelerator Startups

The cohort includes five companies selected from a rigorous pool of 62 applicants from 25 countries. Carbon Infuse from Brooklyn, New York, USA, develops CO2 mineralization technology that recycles industrial waste and flue gases into cheaper and cleaner materials for construction and manufacturing. Carbon Negative Solutions from Portland, Oregon, USA, transforms regional industrial waste and minerals into carbon-negative cement additives (SCMs), reducing emissions by 50-70% compared to traditional cement.

Carbon To Stone from Tappan, New York, USA, converts industrial waste and CO2 into low-carbon materials for cement and concrete, potentially reducing industry emissions by 10%. Low Carbon Materials from Durham, UK, creates proprietary carbon-sequestering additives for concrete and asphalt, with a capture efficiency of up to 1 kg CO2 per kg of additive. Neocrete from Auckland, New Zealand, develops an additive that makes low-carbon SCMs behave like cement, reducing concrete cost and carbon footprint by 30-40% while increasing durability.

The program starts on April 1, 2026, providing startups with access to Amazon, GCI, and Greentown's network of experts. This will allow them to test technologies at scale, including pilot projects with Amazon, whose data centers and logistics require sustainable materials. Such initiatives accelerate the industry's transition to zero emissions, where the CO2 mineralization market is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2030.

Companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) in Kazakhstan can integrate such climatetech solutions into IT outsourcing for green projects, helping clients in Central Asia reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure.

Amazon and Global CO2 Initiative's Role in Decarbonization

Amazon, through the Climate Pledge, is investing billions in sustainable technologies, focusing on immediate actions to reduce emissions in construction. Chris Atkins, Director of Global Sustainability Operations at Amazon, noted: the global response to the program shows innovation in the CO2 mineralization space. Amazon's scale allows it to drive the industry by testing materials for its facilities.

The Global CO2 Initiative at the University of Michigan leads in scaling CO2 capture, utilization, and sequestration. GCI provides startups with technical analysis, strategic advice, lifecycle assessments, and techno-economics. In 2025, GCI supported 20+ companies, accelerating product deployment with a capture of 1 million tons of CO2 annually.

Greentown Labs, as the largest incubator, connects entrepreneurs with customers, investors, and experts. CEO Georgina Campbell Flutter emphasized: innovation scales through the network. The program will provide collaborations, accelerating the path to market by 12-18 months.

For businesses in Kazakhstan, this is a signal to invest in climatetech: companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) are already developing software for CO2 monitoring in Central Asia, integrating data with mineralization for oil and gas and construction firms.

CO2 Mineralization Technologies: Facts and Impact

CO2 mineralization converts carbon dioxide into stable minerals integrated into concrete, reducing cement industry emissions by 8% of global CO2. Carbon Infuse upcycles flue gas, producing materials 20% cheaper. Carbon Negative Solutions creates SCMs that replace 30% of clinker, with a carbon footprint of -0.5 t CO2/t.

Carbon To Stone uses waste, capturing 0.8 t CO2/t of material. Low Carbon Materials sequesters CO2 in aggregates, improving concrete strength by 15%. Neocrete reduces water in the mix by 25%, increasing compressive strength to 50 MPa.

The market is growing: by 2030, 50 GW of mineralization capacity is expected. The Greentown program will test on real Amazon sites, with an area of 10+ million m2 annually. This will accelerate commercialization, where 2025 pilots captured 100,000 t CO2.

In Central Asia, with growing construction (Kazakhstan +15% in 2025), such technologies address the shortage of green materials; Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) offers custom software for optimizing supply chains with CO2 mineralization.

Global Context and Outlook for 2026

The program reflects a trend: 2026 sees 200+ climatetech accelerators in the US and Europe. Of the 62 applications, 80% are from the US, 12% from Europe, and 8% from Asia/Oceania. Amazon allocated $50 million for sustainability in 2026, focusing on the built environment (37% of US emissions).

GCI's tools have helped companies attract $300 million in investment in 2025. Greentown has incubated 500+ startups, with 40% reaching Series A. Cohort success: 70% will enter the market by 2027.

In Europe, Low Carbon Materials integrates with the EU Green Deal, reducing cement imports. In Asia, Neocrete scales for urbanization. The US leads with 60% of mineralization patents.

For Kazakhstan, this is an opportunity: construction material exports +20% in 2025, but with high CO2. Companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) develop platforms for ESG reporting, integrating Greentown startup data for local projects.

Why It Matters for Business Today

Construction is a $4 trillion market, 39% of emissions; mineralization reduces by 1-2 Gt CO2/year by 2050. Amazon's pilots will provide data for scale, attracting VC (climatetech market $100 billion in 2026).

Startups will gain access to 500+ Greentown partners, including 100 corporations. Expected impact: 1 million t CO2 capture by 2028 from the cohort.

Regulations: EU CBAM imposes a carbon tax from 2026, US - IRA subsidies $85/t CO2. This increases demand for tech by 300%.

In Kazakhstan, with 50 million t CO2 from cement, businesses need such solutions; Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) offers outsourcing for climatetech digitalization, helping Central Asia reach net-zero by 2060.

Что это значит для Казахстана

In Kazakhstan, construction grows by 15% annually, generating 50 million tons of CO2, accounting for 20% of industrial emissions. Technologies like CO2 mineralization from Greentown startups will allow local cement plants, such as Kazcement, to reduce emissions by 30%, integrating SCMs and avoiding EU CBAM taxes from 2026 (up to $100/t). In Central Asia, the green construction market will reach $5 billion by 2030, with Kazakhstan leading ($2 billion). Companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) develop software for monitoring CO2 in supply chains, helping oil and gas and construction integrate Amazon program data. This creates 5,000+ jobs in green tech by 2028, accelerating EU exports (+25%).

62 applications from 25 countries, 5 startups selected for CO2 mineralization in concrete.

Greentown Go Build 2026 accelerates construction decarbonization through real partnerships with Amazon and GCI. Startups will gain a path to market, reducing global emissions by millions of tons. It's time for businesses to invest in climatetech for competitiveness in 2026.

Часто задаваемые вопросы

How much does it cost to participate in Greentown Go Build 2026?

Participation is free for selected startups, selected from 62 applications. Amazon and GCI cover pilot costs up to $500,000 per company. Return on investment through contracts worth $10+ million by 2027.

How does CO2 mineralization differ from CCS?

Mineralization converts CO2 into stable materials for concrete (1 kg/kg capture), CCS stores gas underground. The former reduces cement cost by 20-30%, the latter by $50/t. Greentown focuses on the former for the built environment.

What are the risks of CO2 mineralization in construction?

Risks: scaling (requires 10 GW of energy), cost $80-120/t CO2. Regulatory barriers in 20% of countries. Greentown reduces through Amazon pilots, 70% cohort success.

How long does it take to launch such technologies?

From idea to market, 18-24 months with accelerators like Greentown. The cohort starts April 1, 2026, pilots by Q4, commercialization 2027. Without support, 3-5 years.

Best climatetech startups for business in 2026?

Carbon Infuse and Neocrete lead in cost (30% reduction), Low Carbon Materials in scale (EU). Invest $1-5 million for 300% ROI by 2028 through Amazon partnerships.

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