COVID is an airborne virus. It is transmitted primarily by aerosols, which are microscopic particles produced by breathing. When a person with COVID exhales, they expel aerosol particles containing the virus into the air. Anyone who inhales these virus-laden particles can potentially become infected.
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Aerosols can travel long distances and can remain suspended in the air for hours in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, similar to cigarette smoke. A person can be infected by breathing in virus particles regardless of how far away they are from the infected person, and even if the infected person is no longer in the room.

Breathing clean air is going to be a major part of the long-term solution to the COVID pandemic, and to preventing spread of other airborne diseases. It will also address other common indoor air pollutants such as particulates, VOCs and mould.

Just as cholera was eradicated in the 19th century by ensuring people had clean water to drink, the world now needs to bring in a new paradigm of clean air to combat airborne diseases.

No single change will fix indoor air. A reduction in the spread of airborne diseases will require a multi-layered approach that includes ventilation, filtration, sterilisation, monitoring, masks and education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of safe air to breathe in all indoor environments.

This article in The Atlantic and this paper in Science do a great job of explaining the importance of clean air to the future of human health. These reports by the Lancet COVID-19 Commission's Safe Work, Safe School and Safe Travel Task Force highlight some of the latest developments and recommendations for improving air quality.

COVID is without doubt the biggest public health challenge of our lifetimes. Since late 2019 it has killed more than 20 million people worldwide and left millions more with chronic disease, including an estimated 65 million people with Long COVID.
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COVID is not a cold or flu. It is a long-term multi-system disease which affects the entire body.

Over the last three years scientists have made a number of concerning discoveries about COVID. A COVID infection can cause damage to organs including the lungs, heart, brain, liver and kidneys. COVID increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. It has also been found to cause noticeable cognitive impairment. These increased risks are found even in healthy people, and even with a mild or asymptomatic infection.

Scientists also now know that a COVID infection gives very little protection against re-infection, and the risk of more serious outcomes increases with multiple infections. Each re-infection further harms the immune system and increases the risk of serious outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and brain damage, and increases susceptibility to other diseases.

This article summarises what we currently know about the short- and long-term health impacts of COVID.

The only way to avoid the short-term and long-term harm from COVID is to reduce transmission.

We're aiming for the first cohort to get underway in the second half of 2024. Sign up to the newsletter so we can keep you updated on timing.

Three months intensive support followed by a further three months of continued light-touch support.

To apply you'll need to complete a short online application form by the closing date. You'll be asked to tell us about your startup or project, why it could have a significant impact on clean air, and why you are the right person or team to make it happen. We'll also ask you to upload a two-minute video in which you tell us why you should be selected.

Applications will be assessed by the program team and successful applicants will be notified by email.

We are currently accepting Expressions Of Interest. By submitting an EOI now you will be notified as soon as the program is open. Your EOI will also help us to refine the structure of the program and select mentors and domain experts who will add maximum value to the startups selected for the program.

All teams in the Accelerator will take part in weekly masterclasses and group discussions (delivered via Zoom), individual mentoring from experienced startup coaches (also via Zoom), input from domain experts relevant to their field, and help in securing customers, partners and investors.

At the end of the program you'll pitch to an audience of investors, customers and policy-makers as part of an online showcase event.

Following the three month program you'll be able to continue tapping into the Accelerator's mentor group on a lower-intensity mode for a further three months.

No. The Clean Air Accelerator is a not-for-profit initiative and does not take an equity stake in any of the companies accepted into the program.

We are working with partners to secure funding for the most promising teams. Funding will be awarded to the teams that have made the most progress in the program and that have the greatest potential for impact on clean air globally.

We hope to be able to announce something exciting very soon!

The Clean Air Accelerator was founded by Colin Kinner, an experienced startup coach and mentor from Australia who also has a strong commitment to addressing COVID via improving indoor air. Read Colin's posts about COVID.

The accelerator is supported by a world-class group of startup mentors who have themselves been successful entrepreneurs and investors, and by a group of industry and scientific advisors with deep domain expertise across the Clean Air Accelerator's nine themes.

All information you provide in your EOI or application will be treated as strictly confidential. Each of our mentors and advisors is required to sign a confidentiality agreement and to declare any potential conflicts of interest.

We are aiming to notify successful applicants in Q3 2024.

The Accelerator is delivered entirely online using a combination of Zoom (for masterclasses, group discussions and individual mentoring) and our learning management system for the online course content.

The learning component of the Accelerator is based on Startup Onramp's Founders Course - a high quality online course covering essential startup concepts and featuring deep dives with a diverse group of successful founders, investors and subject matter experts. The course has now been taken by over 1,000 founders from around the world.

The Accelerator is open to individuals or teams of up to four co-founders.

No, as long as you can join the masterclasses via Zoom. We'll be releasing times shortly and aiming to make these sessions time-zone friendly for as many regions as possible.