The 2026 programme is looking for proven solutions across the major levers of building decarbonisation, particularly advanced energy storage, high-efficiency renewable generation with small footprints, high-performance HVAC and building envelope technologies, AI-powered energy management platforms (including digital twins, integrated control across solar, storage, HVAC, and lighting, and real-time monitoring and analytics), grid-interactive buildings that function as virtual power plants through demand response, and Data Center microgrid architecture for new builds. Solutions should be ready to deploy at scale across a diverse European building portfolio. The areas above are where the strongest fit is expected, but adjacent technologies that hit the same goal are welcome to apply.

The 2026 programme is looking for start-ups and scale-ups with novel water solutions for use both inside Amazon's facilities and in the wider regions where Amazon operates. Within operations, the focus is on low- and no-flow fixture solutions deployable at scale, water circularity systems that capture and reuse rainwater and greywater, and emerging technologies that change the economics of water management on-site. Beyond Amazon's walls, the focus is on replenishment and community partnership solutions that help utilities reduce water loss, protect source watersheds, and enable recycled water distribution. The areas above are where the strongest fit is expected, but adjacent technologies that hit the same goal are welcome to apply.

The 2026 programme is looking for companies with cost-effective technology that can monitor ecological performance across diverse site types, identify habitats requiring intervention, and track performance against commitments, particularly across automated habitat condition assessment, predictive analytics and early warning systems, soil health and carbon monitoring, species and biodiversity monitoring, and water and air quality. The areas above are where the strongest fit is expected, but adjacent technologies that hit the same goal are welcome to apply.

An 8-week programme designed with busy founders in mind, connecting sustainability start-ups and scale-ups directly with Amazon's operational and technical teams, with the opportunity to pilot their solutions within Amazon's European operations. Each year, the programme focuses on different sustainability verticals across Amazon's operations.

Onboarding begins on 10 August with introductory meetings with Amazon's teams and data sharing to ensure the most efficient collaboration from day one. The time commitment during this phase is approximately 3 to 5 hours across the three weeks. The programme kicks off in person on 2-4 September and runs through to 6-8 October. During this time, participants work directly with Amazon's teams to validate their technology and develop a pilot proposal. At the end of the programme, start-ups pitch for the opportunity to pilot with Amazon. Those selected for piloting then embark on a longer validation period alongside internal Amazon teams to finalise details.

The programme is delivered collaboratively by Amazon Business Unit teams and Founders Intelligence, part of Accenture. Amazon's Business Unit teams provide detailed technical guidance on operations requirements and goals. Founders Intelligence brings over 10 years of experience facilitating strategic collaborations between corporates and venture-backed start-ups, providing expertise in drafting impactful pilot proposals and dedicated coaching support.