Amazon opens applications for 2024 UK, Europe Sustainability Accelerator

Digital giant Amazon is again on the hunt for start-ups with unicorn potential “to help solve the world’s most challenging sustainability issues”.

Now in its third year, The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator has opened for applications “from Europe’s leading start-ups”, with the expanded format now being run in partnership with EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s climate innovation agency, and innovation strategy consultants Founders Intelligence.

Applicants from climate-tech start-ups should be focused on building businesses in one of four categories: Consumer Products, Circular Economy, Energy in Buildings, and Packaging, “a reflection of the growing sustainable startup ecosystem”.

Start-ups in this year’s Accelerator will work with experts in Amazon’s Sustainability, Climate Pledge Fund and Climate Pledge Friendly teams, attend workshops, receive mentorship, and benefit from a bespoke programme, designed to help founders navigate the challenges of starting and scaling a sustainable business.

Amazon and EIT Climate-KIC will work in collaboration to guide Accelerator participants through a Climate Impact Assessment where they will learn how to self-assess their business’s climate impact, and develop strategies to improve their environmental footprint. Participants will also receive a grant and Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits.

Also new for 2024, the ClimateTech Pilot Challenge will welcome start-ups who have moved beyond prototype testing and are working towards generating initial revenue and growing operations (Tech Readiness Level 6 and above). These businesses will participate in a shorter, intense four-week version of the Accelerator, and pitch for the chance to work on a pilot project directly with parts of Amazon’s business. A typical pilot for emerging technologies could earn them from $50,000-$2 million, depending on duration and scope.

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is open to the following: Consumer Products: Early-stage startups developing sustainable and innovative physical consumer products that have recently launched or are on the cusp of go-to-market; Circular Economy: Startups who are building solutions that extend the lifetime of products through reverse logistics, repair capabilities accessible to end users, and more; Energy in Buildings: Startups focused on helping buildings to decarbonise through AI and cutting-edge materials; and Packaging: Startups creating innovative packaging materials, closed-loop reusable systems technology, and more.

The deadline for applications for the first cohort focused on the Circular Economy, Energy in Buildings, and Packaging is 5 April and successful applicants will be announced in the spring. The deadline for the second cohort focused on consumer products is 31 July, with successful applicants announced in the autumn.

Zak Watts, Amazon‘s Director of Sustainability in Europe, said: “Our aim is… to be the best place in the world for entrepreneurs to create cutting-edge sustainable products and technologies, and we want to help them reach their dream of building a business with unicorn potential.”