Amazon Sustainability Accelerator

Are you a startup that values sustainability and wants to expand your impact?

We want to support you. We are looking for startups that are developing innovative solutions to the world's most challenging sustainability issues.

Registration deadline:
Consumer Products — 7 March 2025
Climate Tech — 29 July 2025
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What is the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?

Designed for startups that are tackling sustainability issues

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a free programme supporting startups who are dedicated to sustainable innovation. We help companies to expand their skills and grow their business, thus increasing their positive impact on the climate.

We create accelerators that address the different areas of sustainability, such as the circular economy, recycling technology and more sustainable consumer products.
Our aim
We develop impactful programmes for startups to promote sustainable products, services, and technologies. Your company will benefit from the expertise of the Amazon and AWS (Amazon Web Services) network.

The accelerator thus also acts as a facilitator for Amazon to work with the world's leading startups in the UK and Europe in the field of sustainability innovation.
Our programmes for 2025
Consumer Products
Amazon Climate Tech
Pilot Challenge
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Founders Intelligence logo
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Backed by expertise
We work with leading industry experts to develop tailored support programmes. These include Europe's leading climate innovation agency EIT Climate-KIC as well as the innovation strategy consultancies Founders Intelligence (ClimateTech) and Growth Studio (consumer goods).

What are the benefits?

Financial grants
Use cash and Amazon credit benefits to boost business growth.
Specialised mentorship
Network with professionals in startup growth, climate innovation and industry-specific sectors.
Tailored learning
Access workshops, boot camps and lectures on various topics, from business basics to industry-specific challenges.
Flexibility
Access the programme from anywhere in the European Economic Area, the UK or Switzerland with remote options and/or several in-person sessions.
Climate impact assessment
Understand your company’s climate impact potential, develop strategies to maximise it and receive external validation for the consumer product programme.
Events and community
Connect with and learn from leading innovators at events like Mentor Day and Demo Day and at alumni and networking events after graduation from the Accelerator programme.

Alumni

Consumer Products alumni
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ClimateTech Alumni
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Consumer product programme

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Key details
What are we looking for?
We are interested in supporting early-stage start-ups developing sustainable and innovative physical consumer products that have recently launched or are on the cusp of go-to-market.
How does it work and what are the benefits?
Selected startups will benefit from a 10-week accelerator, a £10,000 grant (€12,000), $10,000 in AWS Activate credits, mentoring and more. The programme is run in hybrid format, comprising both virtual sessions and face-to-face events, with three key in-person weeks in the sustainability hubs of London and Amsterdam.

The process

Startup selection committee

Kirsty Macdonald
Kirsty Macdonald
Investment Principal, JamJar
Ben Honan
Ben Honan
Investment Lead, EIT Climate-KIC
Janeva Morfaw
Janeva Morfaw
Head of Product Sustainable Selection, Amazon
Paul Finch
Paul Finch
Co-Founder, Growth Studios
Mark Rushmore
Mark Rushmore
Co-Founder, SURI and Amazon Sustainability Accelerator Alumni
Yvonne Lanciano
Yvonne Lanciano
Senior Sustainability Manager, Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a growth programme for driving sustainable innovation. Each year, we create accelerators for various sustainability sectors such as circular economy, recycling technology and sustainable consumer products. The Product Accelerator is a 10-week program that supports entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of building sustainability-focused companies and products. We offer expert-led workshops, mentoring and access to our networks to help you set up a business in the sustainability sector.
How do I know if the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is right for me?
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is looking for bold, ambitious companies with smart and effective solutions to today's sustainability challenges. For the consumer product programme, companies in the early stages of operations who have launched their first product offering within the last two years are the best suited. It may also be a good fit for companies that want to use e-commerce to boost their product growth. The accelerator is open to companies registered in the European Economic Area, the UK or Switzerland.
Will Amazon charge startups to participate in the programme?
The programme is free and Amazon does not take equity.
Do I have to move?
No, the accelerator programme will be operated in a hybrid manner (mixing online and in-person support) allowing you to benefit from face-to-face support when you most need it, while having the flexibility and ease to participate in activities online. However, please note that weeks 1 (28/04/25 – 02/05/25), 6 (02/06/25 - 06/06/25) and 10 (30/06/25 – 04/07/25) must be attended in person, in London, Amsterdam and London respectively.
What are the benefits of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
Participation in a ten-week accelerator programme with exclusive workshops, mentoring and access to the Amazon network

• £10,000 cash grant

• $10,000 in AWS credits

• £1,500 travel grant

• An impact assessment to help measure and improve your climate impact

• A demo day in London to pitch your company to investors

• Support with getting started and succeeding on Amazon
How many companies will participate in the accelerator?
The Consumer Accelerator will involve eight to ten companies

The ClimateTech Pilot Challenge

Key details
What are we looking for?
The Amazon Pilot Challenge is looking for innovative European climate-tech start-ups that can pilot their technology with Amazon, as it works to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, enhancing circularity and efficiency in buildings. Participating start-ups should be in a position where they have moved beyond prototype testing, and should be generating initial revenue and working towards growing operations (Tech Readiness Level 6 and above). See FAQ "What type of company should apply?" for more details.
How does it work and what are the benefits?
Selected startups will be part of an intensive four-week accelerator with Amazon and will be given the opportunity to launch a pilot project. The successful startups will work alongside Amazon to develop a pilot proposal. A typical pilot project for new technology ranges between $50,000 and $2 million, depending on its duration and scope. This range is for illustrative purposes and actual funding offers are at Amazon's sole discretion. Selected startups will also receive a £1,500 travel grant, $10,000 in AWS Activate Credits, business coaching and more.
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This is for startups that provide

Carbon/batteries workstreams

Amazon wants to identify innovative start-ups offering cutting-edge solutions in energy efficiency, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and DC microgrids. The purpose is to uncover technologies that can significantly enhance energy utilisation, enable seamless integration of renewable energy sources and optimise power distribution across Amazon's operations. These solutions should have the potential to drive substantial reductions in carbon emissions and energy costs, while pioneering in sustainable energy management.


Waste management/
material recovery workstreams

Identify innovative start-ups offering cutting-edge solutions in waste management, material innovation and closed-loop systems. The purpose is to uncover technologies that can enhance waste segregation through AI, enable real-time tracking of waste streams and optimise material recovery across Amazon's operations. Challenges include delayed reporting, waste stream contamination, complex multi-material products and limited employee engagement. These solutions should drive improvements in waste diversion rates while pioneering sustainable waste management practices that support Amazon's goal of zero waste to landfill.


Water positive workstreams

Identify innovative water technology solutions to help achieve water positivity while reducing water use intensity across operations. Our challenge focuses on three critical areas: Implementing advanced water monitoring and analytics for real-time consumption tracking and leak detection; developing efficiency enhancement solutions that significantly reduce water consumption while maintaining operational effectiveness; and creating water circularity systems for recycling, harvesting and reuse at scale. We envision AI and IoT-powered solutions that can seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure to create autonomous, self-optimising water networks across our facilities. Successful solutions should be scalable, compliant with regulations and demonstrate clear paths to cost parity through enabling water-positive buildings and zero-water technologies.

What you’ll get

Pilot your technology with Amazon
The opportunity to pilot your technology or solution with Amazon to pave the way for future partnerships and growth opportunities.
Introduction to the Climate Pledge Fund
The Climate Pledge Fund is a $2 billion corporate venture program that invests in companies who support Amazon's journey to fulfil the Climate Pledge.
Amazon Sustainability Accelerator benefits
Access cash grants, AWS credits, one year of free Amazon Business Prime membership, mentorship connections, industry networking opportunities and more.

The process

Startup selection committee

Sandra Steving Villegas
Sandra Steving Villegas
Partner, Founders Intelligence
Sebastian Pashaei
Sebastian Pashaei
Head of EU Customer Fulfilment Sustainability, Amazon
Shaima Sharif
Shaima Sharif
Senior Business Development Manager Net-Zero Operations, Amazon
Oliver Pellegrini
Oliver Pellegrini
Director of Ops Integration, Amazon
Antonio De Sensi
Antonio De Sensi
Finance Manager, Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator?
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a growth programme for driving sustainable innovation. Each year, we build accelerator programmes around different sustainability verticals, such as the circular economy, recycling technology and sustainable consumer products. The pilot challenge is an intense four-week programme designed to help start-ups partner with corporates, with a focus on working with Amazon.
What types of building solutions is Amazon looking for?
Amazon seeks solutions that optimise energy-consuming processes, reduce emissions and enable the transition towards sustainable practices. We are looking for technologies such as AI, geothermal energy/HVAC, building materials and DC microgrids for delivery stations (AMZL), sort centres (ATS) and fulfilment centres (FCs) to cover our end-to-end logistics buildings.
Which companies should apply?
Startups should:

• have moved beyond prototype testing and be working towards generating initial sales and expanding operations (TRL 6 and above).

• be registered in the European Economic Area, the UK or Switzerland.

• have technology that is relevant to the subject areas.

• have scalable technology. Amazon will only fund technology that has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and/or reduce impacts beyond CO2 emissions and reduce operating costs.

• have technology that has the potential to make a global impact. Amazon explicitly favours projects that apply to all markets, regions, offer types, etc.

• be registered in the European Economic Area, the UK or Switzerland, and be available to attend in-person sessions in London, UK, as well as participate in online remote sessions.

• accept and comply with the official Terms and Conditions and other guidelines of the Pilot Challenge programme.

Amazon is not looking for project developers who sell third-party products, companies without a functional prototype, consulting firms, marketing or PR agencies, or acquired startups.
How do I apply?
Apply for the Pilot Challenge by registering your interest and completing the application form. To allow for resource planning for the Pilot Challenge, applications will open on 25 June 2025. Applications will be reviewed internally from June to July. Successful applicants will be invited to provide further information. Applications will close on 29 July.
How long will the Pilot Challenge last?
Selected startups will take part in an intensive four-week accelerator. During this time, startups will learn about Amazon's internal processes and requirements. After four weeks, startups will have the chance to launch a pilot project with Amazon. Successful startups, alongside internal Amazon teams, will then embark on a longer validation phase to fine-tune the details of their pilot project.
Do I have to move?
No, the accelerator is run in hybrid format (both online and face-to-face support), so you can access in-person support when you urgently need it, while taking advantage of the flexibility and simplicity of online activities. However, please note that week 1 (08/09/25- 12/09/25) and 03/10/25 must be attended in person in London.
How many startups will take part in the challenge?
Approximately five start-ups per solution vertical will participate in the four-week accelerator challenge. Each start-up will pitch their solution to win the chance to pilot with Amazon; one or two start-ups from each programme vertical will be selected.
Will Amazon charge startups to participate in the programme?
The programme is free and Amazon does not take equity.
Is a pilot project with Amazon guaranteed?
A pilot project with Amazon is not guaranteed. A typical pilot budget for new technologies can range from $50,000 to $2 million, depending on the duration and scope (e.g. feasibility studies, prototype testing) needed to determine key performance indicators. This range is for illustrative purposes and actual funding offers are at Amazon's sole discretion.

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