Working on transformative, systemic innovation to accelerate a net-zero carbon economy is a key priority for EIT Climate-KIC. They aim to take climate-positive ideas, products or services from niche to mainstream to reach a tipping point and create maximum impact.
In order to drive this impact further and faster, EIT Climate-KIC has partnered with Amazon to deliver a 12-week bespoke accelerator to support early-stage start-ups.
Launched 31 January 2022, the Amazon Launchpad Sustainability Accelerator targets entrepreneurs who are developing physical products that make it easy for customers to live more sustainably. Founders should have ambitions to use ecommerce to fuel the growth of their product and be committed to building and growing their business with environmental impact in mind.
This latest collaboration will help early-stage start-ups navigate the challenges of starting and scaling a sustainable business through expert-led workshops, specialised mentorship, a tailored curriculum, access to a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and office space in Amazon’s headquarters in Shoreditch, London.
Additionally, Amazon Launchpad Sustainability Accelerator participants can benefit from:
- A €12,000/£10,000 equity-free grant
- $25,000 worth of AWS business support credits
- €6,000 /£6,000 sponsored advertising credits to kick-start their growth
- Product featured on the Amazon Launchpad storefront
- Free account management for one year
Selected Accelerator start-ups will use the Climate Impact Forecast tool to calculate the avoided emissions of a product compared to the prevailing solution on the market, and develop strategies to make them even more sustainable.
“One of the essential ingredients for achieving the transformations we need now is to make sure that all new companies are thinking systemically and are fully sustainable and regenerative from the outset,” said Kirsten Dunlop, EIT Climate-KIC CEO. “We are delighted to be collaborating on the Amazon Launchpad Sustainability Accelerator, giving start-ups that are sustainable from the very start, the support, grants and visibility they need to drive responsible consumerism.”
Leaders from EIT Climate-KIC and Amazon will assess products that can demonstrate quantifiable improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability, such as recycled and upcycled materials, reusable everyday items, eco-friendly gadgets and tech, or plastic alternatives.
The Accelerator is now welcoming applications from start-ups with innovative and sustainability-focused consumer products in the UK and Europe. The deadline for applications is 25 March 2022 and successful applicants will be announced in the Spring.