Are you creating a start-up focused on sustainability? Do you want to maximise your impact?

We want to support you! We are looking for start-ups developing sustainability-focused products or recycling technologies that extend the life of materials.
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Designed for early-stage start-ups

Designed for early-stage start-ups

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a 3-month, equity-free programme supporting early-stage start-ups that are creating consumer products or recycling technologies that have a positive impact on the environment. To maximise learning opportunities for the start-ups, there will be separate courses tailored to the two cohorts.

Experience from sustainability innovators

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

What does the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator programme involve?

Business reinforcement

Monetary funding

Cash grants of €12,000
Amazon Advertising Credits worth £500/€600
AWS Activate Credits worth $25,000
Specialised mentoring

Specialised tutoring

The Accelerator brings together experts with a particular focus on start-up growth, climate innovation and sustainability, e-commerce and recycling.
Personalised curriculum

Tailored curriculum

Workshops, bootcamps and expert speakers covering a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals for early-stage start-ups to specific e-commerce and recycling sessions.
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What are the additional benefits?

Office space
Office space for three months at Amazon headquarters in Shoreditch, London or in Berlin.
Climate impact assessment
Understand the potential climate impact of your product/technology, develop strategies to optimise it and receive external validation.
Community
Peer learning and exchange with a community of like-minded start-up founders with common goals, who are driven by sustainability.
Flexibility
Weeks 1, 6 and 12 must be attended in person. The rest of the Accelerator programme will be hybrid: start-ups can participate online or in person. This will be subject to applicable COVID-19 restrictions.
One year of free access to the Amazon Launchpad programme
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 discoveries from exceptional start-ups.
What other benefits are available?
Main eligibility criteria

Main application criteria

Phase: Early-stage start-ups.
Headquarters: start-ups based in the EEA, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.
Themes:
(1) Physical products: start-ups creating physical consumer products that are better for the planet. Companies should have completed the prototype stage and have (some) production capacity.
(2) Technologies: start-ups that are tackling challenges in the recycling industry by providing solutions aimed at supporting a circular economy. Examples of solutions that we expect to see are advanced sorting tools, waste management data systems and innovative recycling capabilities. Companies should have already carried out and moved beyond the prototyping stage.

Hear testimonials from other sustainability-focused start-ups

The process

The process
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Start-up 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

FAQ

What is the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a 3-month programme designed to support entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of creating sustainability-focused businesses. We offer expert-led workshops, mentoring, office space and access to networks to help overcome the challenges of starting a business while focusing on sustainability. The accelerator will have two distinct tracks: firstly, sustainability-focused products and secondly, recycling technology. Both cohorts will run at the same time, but will have separate support for their specific needs.
How do I apply for the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
You can request access through this link. Applications must be submitted in English by 17 March 2023. Candidates must be prepared to commit to a 3-month programme starting on 2 May 2023 and ending with a demonstration day on 20 July.
How do I know if the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is right for me?
Generally, the Accelerator is suitable for companies in the early stages of their business, either pre-GTM (go-to-market) or less than 2 years after the launch of their first product. For start-ups that produce sustainability-focused products, the Accelerator is best suited to entrepreneurs who have ambitions to use e-commerce to fuel the growth of their product. For recycling technology companies, we are looking for start-ups that tackle recycling industry challenges by providing solutions such as advanced sorting tools, waste management data systems and innovative recycling capabilities. We are looking for companies that might be small today, but have big and bold ambitions. Since you are probably at the beginning of your journey, we do not yet expect exponential growth, but we are looking for clear opportunities for scalability.
What type of companies are eligible?
The programme is best suited to start-ups that are committed to building and growing their business with environmental impact in mind.
Will Amazon charge a fee for start-ups to join the programme?
The programme is free of charge and Amazon will not require equity investments.
Do I need to relocate?
No, the Accelerator will be operated in a hybrid manner (offering both online and in-person support) allowing you to benefit from face-to-face support when you need it most, while maintaining the flexibility and ease of participating 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 benefits are included in the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
Take part in a 3-month accelerator programme, which includes workshop sessions, tutoring and access to the Amazon network.
  • Access to office space in Berlin or London (subject to the latest government COVID guidelines)
  • €12,000 in funding
  • $25,000 in credits that can be spent on AWS products and services
  • €/£600 Advertising credits
  • Free access to the Amazon Launchpad programme for one year
  • How many companies will participate in the Accelerator?
    Each Accelerator cohort will include 12–15 companies.
    How did it go last time?
    Here are some articles covering the programme's 2022 pilot group from Sifted, Reuters and Forbes.
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