Are you creating a sustainability start-up and want to maximise your impact?

We want to support you! We are looking for start-ups that focus on more sustainable consumer products and recycling technologies, and consider the complete life cycle of their product.

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Designed for start-ups

Built for early-stage start-ups

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a three-month, equity-free programme that supports early-stage companies that create consumer products or recycling technologies that have a positive impact on the environment! To maximise start-up learning, there will be separate tracks tailored for the two cohorts.

Expertise from sustainability innovators

We are collaborating with EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation hub, as well as WRAP, the leading recycling NGO. Together, we have designed the programme to ensure start-ups receive relevant support at the intersection of holistic business growth and impact.
Climate-KIC

What does the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator involve?

Goodwill gesture

Monetary grants

€12,000 cash grant
€/£600 sponsored Amazon advertising credits
USD$25,000 AWS Activate Credits
Specialised mentorship

Specialised mentorship

The accelerator brings together experts with a focus on start-up growth, climate innovation and sustainability, e-commerce and recycling.
Tailored courses

Tailored curriculum

Workshops, boot-camps and expert speakers, covering a range of topics from fundamentals for early-stage start-ups to sessions specific to e-commerce and recycling.

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What additional benefits are available?

Office space
Office space for three months at the Amazon headquarters in Shoreditch, London or Berlin.
Amazon Launchpad One Year Free Access
Understand the climate impact potential of your product/technology, develop strategies to optimise it and receive external validation.
Community
Peer learning and exchange with a community of like-minded founders driven by sustainability.
Flexibility
Weeks 1, 6, and 12 must be attended in person. The rest of the accelerator will be hybrid, and start-ups can join online or in person. This will be subject to applicable COVID-19 restrictions.
Amazon Launchpad One Year Free Access
Dedicated support and free access to Amazon Launchpad for one year to benefit from Amazon's customer reach. Amazon Launchpad is a one-stop shop for unique and unexpected finds from outstanding start-ups.
What additional benefits are available?
Key application criteria

Main application criteria

Stage: Early-stage start-ups.
Location: EEA, Switzerland or UK-based.
Themes:
(1) Physical products: Physical products in the sustainability sector. Companies should be beyond prototyping stage, having (some) production capacity.
(2) Recycling technologies: Start-ups tackling recycling industry challenges by providing solutions such as advanced sorting tools, waste management data systems, and innovative recycling capabilities. Companies should be beyond the prototyping phase and should be within two years of launching their first product.

Hear from other sustainability start-ups

Process

Process
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Selection committee:
Jury 1
Kirsty Macdonald
JamJar, Investment Principal
Cyrus Wadia
Cyrus Wadia
Amazon Head of Sustainable Product
Jury 3
Ben Honan
EIT Climate-KIC, Investment Manager
Jury 4
Phoebe Wang
Climate Pledge Fund, Investment Partner
Jury 4
Bettina Gilbert
WRAP, Head of Technical Support and Financial Mechanisms
Jury 5
Richard Loretto
Amazon, Director - Circular Economy

FAQs

What is the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a three-month programme that is designed to support entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of building sustainability-focused businesses. We offer expert-led workshops, mentorship, office space and access to networks to help you navigate the challenges of starting a business within sustainability. The accelerator will have two distinct tracks: firstly, sustainability-focused products and, secondly, recycling technologies. Both cohorts will run at the same time but will receive separate support for their specific needs.
How do I apply for the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
You can apply via https://sell.amazon.co.uk/programmes/launchpad/sustainability-accelerator/interest-form. Entries must be submitted in English and by 17 March 2023. Applicants should be prepared to commit to a three-month programme commencing from 2 May 2023 and finishing with a demo day on 20 July.
How do I know if the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is suited to me?
Typically, the accelerator is suited to companies in the early stages of their operation, either pre-GMT (go-to-market) or within two years of launching their first product offering. For the sustainability-focused products track, it would be best suited to entrepreneurs who have ambitions to use e-commerce to fuel the growth of their product. For recycling tech companies, we’re looking for start-ups targeting recycling industry challenges by providing solutions such as advanced sorting tools, waste management data systems and innovative recycling capabilities. We're looking for companies that might be small today, but have big, bold ambitions. As you are likely early in your journey, we don't expect hockey stick growth yet, but we are looking for clear opportunities for scale.
What types of businesses are suitable?
The programme is best suited to start-ups that are committed to building and growing their business with environmental impact in mind.
Will Amazon be charging for start-ups to join the programme?
The programme is free and Amazon does not take equity.
Do I need to relocate myself?
No, the Accelerator will be operated in a hybrid manner (mixing online and in-person support), allowing you to benefit from face-to-face support when you need it most, while having the flexibility and ease to participate in activities online. However, please note that weeks 1 (2/5/2023–5/5/2023), 6 (5/6/2023–9/6/2023), and 12 (17/7/2023–21/7/2023) must be attended in person.
What are the benefits of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
  • Participation in a three-month Accelerator programme that includes exclusive workshops, mentorship and access to Amazon’s network
  • Free office space in Berlin or London (subject to latest government COVID guidelines)
  • €12,000 cash grant
  • USD$25,000 AWS Activate credits
  • €/£600 in advertising click credits
  • Free access to Amazon Launchpad for one year
  • How many businesses will participate in the Accelerator?
    Every accelerator cohort will comprise 12 to 15 companies.
    How did it go last time?
    Here is some coverage the pilot cohort received in 2022 by Sifted, Reuters and Forbes.
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