Janice Kelsey (Solar CITIES)

Janice Kelsey is the co-founder of Solar CITIES, a nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization. “We teach people how to turn waste into free clean energy and nutrient-dense fertilizer,” Janice says.

Founded in 2014, Solar CITIES is “an open-source virtual hackspace for ‘biogas innovators and practitioners.’” In the words of the organization, “biogas takes the solar energy stored in the chemical bonds of organic materials and makes it useful instantly or eternally for human beings everywhere.”

solar cities in the because accelerator

Janice entered the Because Accelerator cohort looking to fill “many small gaps in our development as an organization.” Because Solar CITIES quickly developed, Janice hoped to take a step back to address the business and product sides of the organization.

For Janice, “the realization of working with a global cohort, each working on solutions that have the same potential to positively impact so many lives, was absolutely awe-inspiring to me.”

Janice said of other considering joining Because International’s online business incubator, she said, “do it! Dedicate the time to it! The Because Accelerator is a safe, comfortable learning environment for anyone at any stage of their idea or business development. It was such a gift to be mentored by someone who understands and supports our goals to help others.”

The Because Accelerator is a completely free online training and mentorship program for entrepreneurs who have product-focused ideas and businesses in areas impacted by poverty. 

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