Amazon expands sustainability accelerator to AWS and private brands

Amazon is expanding its sustainability technology accelerator to support companies developing low-carbon materials, energy-efficient systems and recycling technologies.

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Climate technology startups often face significant challenges when bringing their innovations to market, particularly when their solutions require large-scale testing, specialized equipment and substantial investment. Developing a new material or energy-efficient technology is only part of the process. Companies also need to demonstrate that their products can meet commercial requirements and work within existing manufacturing and infrastructure systems.

Amazon is expanding its Sustainability Deep Tech Accelerator to help companies developing sustainable technologies explore commercial opportunities across its businesses. The program now includes Amazon Devices, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Amazon Private Brands, giving participants access to technical teams working across different parts of the company. Applications for the 2027 cohort will open in January, building on an earlier accelerator launched in 2025 that has supported 28 companies.

Supporting sustainable technology development

The expanded program will focus on three main areas: low-carbon materials and advanced manufacturing, energy efficiency, and circularity. Within Amazon Devices, the initiative will explore technologies that could reduce the environmental impact of products such as Echo, Kindle and Fire TV, including more efficient batteries, semiconductors, displays and printed circuit boards. It will also examine alternative materials and manufacturing methods that could reduce emissions during production.

AWS will focus on technologies that could improve the sustainability of cloud infrastructure, particularly how data center equipment is designed, operated and eventually retired. Potential applications include more efficient hardware and methods for recovering valuable materials from equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. Meanwhile, Amazon Private Brands will explore alternatives to conventional plastics and petroleum-based materials, including recycled polymers, natural fibers and sustainable packaging solutions.

The initiative is intended to help developers understand whether their technologies can meet the performance, cost and manufacturing requirements of a large enterprise.

Maiken Moeller-Hansen, Director of Energy and Sustainability for Amazon Devices & Services, highlighted the challenge facing climate technology companies, saying that "the traditional path from lab to enterprise adoption is too slow."

Connecting startups with commercial opportunities

Unlike accelerators that primarily focus on preparing startups to raise investment, Amazon's program emphasizes the evaluation and potential commercial adoption of new technologies. Participating companies will work directly with Amazon's engineering, manufacturing and sustainability specialists to assess technical performance, potential carbon reductions, costs and integration requirements. The process will also include workshops, mentorship and opportunities to present proposals to senior leadership.

The program is operated in collaboration with Plug and Play, which will provide additional industry expertise and access to its investor and corporate networks. Eligible participants can receive up to $100,000 in AWS Activate credits to support technical development and testing. Participation is equity-free, meaning companies are not required to give Amazon an ownership stake in exchange for joining.

However, acceptance into the accelerator does not guarantee a commercial agreement. Any future integration would depend on technical evaluations and negotiations between Amazon and the participating company. Potential outcomes could include licensing arrangements, supply agreements or technology collaborations, while companies that do not secure immediate partnerships may still benefit from technical guidance and industry connections.

Building on earlier climate technology initiatives

The expansion follows Amazon's experience with its Devices Climate Tech Accelerator, which has supported 28 companies across two cohorts since launching in 2025. Previous participants include Amprius Technologies, a developer of advanced battery technology, and GRST, which focuses on battery materials designed to improve recyclability. Amazon has also identified Aircarbon and Heartland Industries among companies progressing through further product development evaluations, although participation does not necessarily mean their technologies have entered commercial use.

The new initiative is separate from Amazon's European Climate Tech Accelerator, which supports startups testing sustainability solutions in the company's logistics operations. Both programs form part of Amazon's broader efforts to reduce its environmental impact and pursue its target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

By extending the accelerator across several business divisions, Amazon is creating additional opportunities to evaluate sustainable technologies in different commercial settings. For participating companies, access to technical expertise and potential customers could help address some of the barriers to growth. The program's impact, however, will ultimately depend on how many technologies move beyond testing into commercial adoption and deliver measurable environmental benefits.