Amazon Sustainability Accelerator

Item detail

Maximum value

£ 30,000

Application deadline

None specified

Status

Closed to Applications

Background

This programme is funded and administered by Amazon, in collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s climate innovation hub. It has been designed to ensure start-ups receive relevant support at the intersection of e-commerce and impact.

Objectives of Fund

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is an equity-free programme supporting UK start-ups that are driving sustainable innovation. The programme aims to help entrepreneurs grow their skills and scale their businesses so they can maximise their climate impact.

Each year, the programme builds accelerators around different sustainability verticals, such as circular economy, recycling technology and sustainable consumer products.

The benefits of participation include monetary grants, specialised mentorship, workshops, a climate assessment, and a chance to connect with innovators.

Value Notes

The Challenges are:

ClimateTech Challenge

Selected start-ups will participate in an intense four-week accelerator with Amazon, and pitch for the chance to secure a pilot with Amazon. Successful start-ups selected will work jointly with Amazon to scope a pilot proposal. A typical pilot for emerging technologies can range from $50,000 to $2 million, depending on duration and scope. This range is provided for illustration only and actual offer(s) of funding, if any, are at Amazon's sole discretion. Selected start-ups will also receive a £1,500 cash grant to support travel and accommodation costs, $10,000 AWS Activate Credits, business coaching and more.

Consumer Product Programme

This challenge supports early-stage start-ups developing sustainable and innovative physical consumer products that have recently launched or are on the cusp of go-to-market.

Benefits:

• Attend a 10 week accelerator programme including exclusive workshops, mentorship and access to Amazon’s network.
• £10,000 Cash grant.
• $10,000 AWS Credits.
• £1,500 travel grant.
• Impact Assessment to help measure and improve climate impacts.
• A Demo Day in London to pitch the business to investors.
• Support launching and succeeding on Amazon.

Who Can Apply

The Participating Business must:

• Be the brand owner of the product or service it sells or plan to sell and that is linked to the relevant entry to the Programme
• Be at the early stages of its operation, having launched its first product/technology/service offering less than five years ago (Consumer Products Programme) or 10 years ago (ClimateTech Programme).
• Be registered in either the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland.

There are two types of programmes within the Sustainability Accelerator. Each has specific eligibility requirements:

• Consumer Product Programme: The product must be a B2C physical product (ie intended for sale by a business to consumers rather than by a business to a business) which will be available for sale to the public by no later than 31 December 2025. Products will have quantifiable improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability, including but not limited to: recycled and upcycled materials and products, reusable everyday items, eco-friendly gadgets and tech, more-sustainable clothing, shoes and accessories, and plastic alternatives.
• Start-ups eligible for application to the ClimateTech Programme must provide solutions relating to reusable packaging systems, energy transition and decarbonisation for buildings, and reverse logistics optimisation and repair capabilities accessible to end users.
  

Location

United Kingdom, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

How To Apply

Details of any future rounds, and associated deadlines, will be reported when available. 

Applications are made online.

Further information is available from the Amazon website.