Amazon and EIT Climate-KIC, a European-wide climate innovation hub, have announced the 16 sustainability startups to join the second Amazon Sustainability Accelerator.
In association with Wrap, a UK-based climate action NGO, the companies have selected the sustainability startups for 2023 after receiving 1,500 applications. Eight of the companies selected are from the UK.
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a 12-week programme designed to help founders of sustainability startups navigate the challenges of scaling their business. Expert-led virtual and in-person workshops will take place throughout the course, with participants gaining access to a network of like-minded founders in the process.
Amazon and EIT Climate-KIC have promised to work in collaboration to guide those on the scheme through a ‘Climate Impact Forecast’ which will assess each firm’s climate impact before developing strategies to reduce that carbon footprint. Participants will also get a £10,000 equity-free grant and $25,000 worth of AWS Activate Credits, to help them access cloud computing services.
There are two cohorts this year – one for startups who are creating more sustainable consumer products and another for those developing the technology to help businesses recycle products more effectively and efficiently. The 16 businesses, listed below and described in their own words, were selected by a panel of experts in the venture capital and sustainability communities.
Recycling Technologies
Descycle (UK) – a metal processing technology company developing novel and low-impact solutions using revolutionary chemistry
Induo (France) – a textile recycling technology company turning used textiles into brand new apparel
Matoha (UK) – material identification devices that help with efficient waste sorting
Polyperception (Belgium) – a platform providing real-time, end-to-end waste flow monitoring to plastics and material recovery facilities
Sorted (UK) – AI-powered solutions to help waste management companies sort their recyclable materials
Terrawaste (Netherlands) – a chemical recycling technology turning non-recyclable dry, wet and mixed plastic waste into valuable, carbon-negative materials
Consumer Products
Bo (UK) – an urban e-scooter company with world-first riding technology, building efficient commuter vehicles
FUNQ (Spain) – a syrup-based soft drink which allows anyone to turn tap water into a delicious beverage, reducing the need to ship water
Infinite Athletica (Spain) – a circular sportswear company turning sport waste into garments for the same sport
Nimbi (UK)– a compostable razor using revolutionary biomaterials
Milky Plant (UK) – a device that allows people to create their own plant-based milk from home. reducing the need to ship cartons
Open Funk (Germany) – a sustainable, high-performance, compact kitchen mixer for glass jars
Papair (Germany) – recycled paper bubble wrap providing a sustainable packaging alternative to conventional bubble wrap
Seep (UK) – plastic-free sponges, cloths and other household essentials
Tangle (UK) – sustainable dog products such as collars, leashes and toys made from upcycled ghost fishing nets
We Do Solar (Germany) – a smart solar set that can be installed in balconies
Dr Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of EIT 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 startups 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.”
Following the accelerator, all sustainability startups will have an opportunity to pitch their business to investors to help them build connections and raise further funding. Last year’s accelerator participants raised more than £4.5 million.
Read about last year’s participants on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
