16 new start-ups join the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, supported by Climate KIC
Climate KIC, Amazon and WRAP, a leading UK climate action NGO, announce the 16 start-ups joining the second edition of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, following more than 1,500 applications.
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a 12-week bespoke programme designed to help founders navigate the challenges of starting and scaling a sustainable business. Climate KIC will guide Accelerator participants through a climate impact assessment where they will measure their business’ climate impact, and develop strategies to improve their environmental footprint. The assessment will measure, forecast and monitor the emissions mitigation potential of the cohort’s solutions compared to similar products currently on the market with the aim to actively push and support the start-ups in developing the most transformative and scalable solutions.
Following the Accelerator, all start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch their business to an audience of seasoned investors to help them build connections and raise further funding. Last year’s Accelerator start-ups raised more than €5.1 million, and increased sales on and off Amazon by an average of more than 250 per cent following their participation in the Accelerator.
Dr. Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer, Climate KIC said: “Investors increasingly making decisions based on impact data is an important signal to businesses to embrace an active role in societal transformation. By equipping emerging start-ups with the tools to measure their climate mitigation potential and supporting their capacity to think systemically, we can foster a critical cultural shift in business mindsets, while helping to build the robust data that can direct investments to transformative and scalable climate solutions. At Climate KIC, we are excited to expand the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, supporting more entrepreneurs to reach their greatest climate impact potential.”
The two cohorts in the Accelerator include start-ups who are creating more sustainable consumer products and, for the first time this year, start-ups developing the technology to help businesses recycle products more effectively and efficiently. They were selected by a panel of experts in the venture capital and sustainability communities.
Find the list of startups below.