Amazon Leverages Accelerator to Boost Sustainable Consumer Product Market

Accelerator programmes play a vital role in shaping the startup ecosystem. Earlier this month, Sustainable Times attended the 2025 Amazon Sustainability Accelerator Demo Day, supported by Growth Studio and Climate KIC at the Barbican Centre. The event offered a first-hand look at emerging innovations in sustainable consumer products. The day celebrated collaboration and showcased how accelerator programmes support early-stage startups with funding, mentorship, and access to new markets. Now in its third year, Amazon’s sustainability accelerator has established itself as a prominent launchpad for purpose-driven consumer brands.

The accelerator works with Climate-KIC, a European group for climate innovation and Growth Studio, which builds and runs programmes. The bespoke 10 week programme selected 8 from more than a thousand applications. 

Paul Finch from Growth Studio explained, "We believe that genuine, impactful change happens when commercial viability aligns seamlessly with environmental responsibility. That's the core of what we nurture here."

“At Climate KIC, we are excited to support more entrepreneurs to reach their greatest climate impact potential. 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,” said. Dr. Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer, Climate KIC. 

How Accelerators Support Sustainable Consumer Products

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator supports innovation in sustainable consumer products by providing startups with visibility, investment opportunities, and space to develop their ideas. Demo Day marks the culmination of the programme, a platform for selected startups to showcase their progress, pitch to investors, and secure future funding.

For Amazon, running the accelerator carries clear strategic value. By backing startups aligned with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, Amazon strengthens its position in the sustainable marketplace. Many of these businesses also sell through Amazon’s platform, meaning their success directly boosts Amazon’s revenue. Supporting them expands the company’s range of sustainable offerings. However, for startups, heavy reliance on a single platform brings challenges. Amazon’s wide reach is undeniable, but seller fees can drive up costs. While the exposure is valuable, startups must weigh the benefits of scale against the financial pressures of platform dependence.

Growth Studio's partnership with the Accelerator is key. As experts in creating and running innovation programmes, Growth Studio makes sure these businesses get the structured help they need not only to improve their sustainable products but also to build strong, scalable business models. They serve as a bridge between the ambitions of startups and the goals of commercial partners like Amazon.

A Closer Look at the Businesses

Here's more detail on some of the businesses that were featured:

auraskin: A new skincare brand redefining beauty through circular design. By upcycling used coffee grounds into high-performance ingredients, the company transforms what would be landfill waste into nourishing lip balms, face creams, and sunscreens. This innovative approach not only reduces environmental impact but also signals a shift toward more sustainable material use in the cosmetics industry. Co-founded by Dr. Alexis Pantziaros — a seasoned sustainability entrepreneur — and Marios Vlachogiannis, a specialist in green skincare formulations, AuraSkin pairs deep scientific expertise with market ambition. The brand is on track for £500,000 in sales and is currently raising £3 million to accelerate its growth.

bantu chocolate:  Founded by Veronique Mbida, Bantu Chocolate is on a mission to transform the cacao industry. Highlighting the risk of cacao disappearing by 2050, Mbida advocates for going "beyond the wrapper" to create chocolate that is "rich in flavour and in values." Through a fully integrated model, Bantu controls every stage of production to address environmental harm and unfair labour practices in the supply chain. The brand has won awards, built a loyal community, and is actively engaging with new regulations around chocolate and land use. With an exclusive partnership in Amazon’s wellness category, Bantu is now seeking buyers and investors to support its next phase of growth.

Composty: A new brand in sustainable cleaning tools, co-founded by Helen & Matt Guest. Composty offers a solution to plastic pollution by making strong, plastic-free, and natural biodegradable cleaning tools. This minimises plastic shedding, a big problem as each regular sponge can release 6.5 million microplastics into waterways. They are the top-rated compostable sponge on Amazon UK, with over 1,400 reviews and used by over 50,000 households. Their product range includes 'Loofah' Eco Scourer Sponges, 'Pop-Up' Eco Sponges, and Compostable 'Swedish' Dishcloths. Composty has a 1 in 3 return customer rate and over £500k in revenue. They plan continued growth in business-to-business (B2B) and direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales, with an estimated £728,000 revenue next year, seeing a big chance in the £4.5 billion UK cleaning product market. 

Grace and Green: An established B Corp in the period product market, founded by Fran Lucraft. With over a decade of experience in water and sanitation, founder Fran saw first-hand the damage traditional period products can cause to water systems. Grace & Green addresses this by offering organic, plastic-free alternatives that are safer for both people and the planet. In an unregulated industry — where some products have tested for pesticide levels 40 times higher than drinking water limits — their focus on transparency and health is crucial. A certified B Corp and holder of proprietary IP, Grace & Green is the highest-scoring B Corp in its category. The brand supplies over 500 workplaces, including Lloyds Bank and the British Heart Foundation, and will launch in Boots in Summer 2025. They also tackle period poverty through partnerships in schools and workplaces, and are expanding into incontinence research through a Smart grant. Currently, the company is raising £1.5 million to scale further.

Horée: Horee creates fresh, organic, vegan, and plastic-free cosmetics made from fruits and vegetables. Co-founded by former L’Oréal executives Laurence Caisey and Fabrice Guyon, the brand champions a natural, food-grade approach to beauty. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers, and products are so pure, co-founder Laurence once drank one on stage. Their patented formulas reduce reliance on synthetic ingredients and plastic packaging. With over 29,000 customers and multiple sustainability awards, Horée is proving demand for cleaner, transparent cosmetics. Currently projecting £1 million in revenue, the company is raising $2 million to expand into the UK and Germany. Their B2C traction and innovative R&D set them apart in the growing market for sustainable, performance-led personal care.

Hygge: Hygge is transforming pet nutrition with human-grade, locally sourced ingredients. Founded by Samuel Nannini and Martina Terigi, the brand combats poor sourcing in pet food and promotes transparency and health. Its personalised pet nutrition app and free vet consultations help owners choose the right products. Their food is the top-selling pet item on Amazon Italy, and they report that 80% of pet illnesses improve after switching. Hygge is already profitable, with €600k revenue and €409k raised to date. Now seeking €300k to expand marketing and hiring, the company aims for a €10 million exit by 2028. Its sustainability-first, tech-supported approach sets a new standard in the European pet care industry.

KWERKY: A powdered, plant-based milk alternative made from oats and peas — free from additives and designed to cut carbon and food waste. Founded by Nikki Garg and Suhani Bhudia, the product emits 56% less carbon than oat milk and 81% less than dairy. It lasts longer, reduces packaging, and lets users make only what they need, addressing the UK’s massive dairy waste. With £180,000 in funding, KWERKY is focused on B2B growth, targeting foodservice clients like the Ministry of Justice, Kings College London, NHS, and Google Netherlands. Positioned as a lower-cost, lower-carbon option, it’s ideal for organisations seeking to cut emissions 

Omuu Pet is reinventing pet nutrition with insect-based protein, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional meat-based pet food. Founded by vet Dr. Frank Clarke and supported by a skilled team, including accountant Gail McEvoy and digital experts Stephen McClelland and Twila McDonald, the company tackles the high environmental impact of livestock farming. Insects require far less land, water, and energy, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Backed by clinical trials at UCD Veterinary Hospital, their products are scientifically proven and nutrition-focused. With over 10,000kg sold and a successful launch in Taiwan, Omuu is now expanding into the B2B veterinary market. Currently stocked in 10 Irish clinics, they are in talks with Ireland’s largest vet group and are raising €600k to scale.

For investors, the event highlighted opportunities in the sustainable sector. These start-ups offer both potential returns and contributions to a more sustainable future. Their approaches to product development, supply chain management, and resource use make them good options for portfolios focused on sustainability.

Nominate for the RISE Awards!

Inspired by these innovative businesses? Do you know a consumer product that's making waves in sustainability? Sustainable Times is launching a brand new Consumer Products Category at the upcoming RISE Awards, celebrating excellence in sustainable innovation.

This is your chance to shine a light on the companies and products that are truly making a difference. From eco-friendly cleaning solutions to upcycled beauty products and sustainable food alternatives, we want to hear about the best in sustainable consumer goods.

Nominations for the new Consumer Products Category at the RISE Awards are now open! 

Sustainable Times RISE Awards

6 November 2025 at 18:30 – 7 November 2025 at 01:00|London

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