Find answers to the most common questions about The Climate Pledge Velocity Program – including eligibility, focus areas, program structure, and what to expect if selected. Expand the sections below to learn more about the program and how to prepare a strong application.

• What is The Climate Pledge?

  The Climate Pledge is a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. It brings the world’s top companies together to accelerate joint action, cross-sector collaboration, and responsible change. Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge with Global Optimism in 2019 and became the first company to sign the Pledge. 

• What is the relationship between Amazon, The Earthshot Prize, and Velocity?

  In March 2026, Amazon joined The Earthshot Prize as a Global Alliance Founding Partner. The multi-year collaboration will focus on identifying ways to integrate ideas and technologies from Earthshot Finalists and Winners across Amazon’s own global operations and connect the Earthshot community with signatories of The Climate Pledge. Velocity is a demonstration of the shared ambition to accelerate progress for people and planet – scaling what works. 

• Who is Plug and Play?

  Plug and Play is an innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across 25+ industries. We offer corporate innovation programs, helping our partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also run startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.

• How is The Climate Pledge working with Plug and Play?

  The Climate Pledge selected Plug and Play as its strategic operating implementation engine for Velocity. Plug and Play will serve as the primary program coordinator, handling the application processes, connecting cohort companies with TCP signatories, Amazon Business Units, investors, and commercial partners to accelerate real-world pilots and commercial traction. The Climate Pledge and Plug and Play will work together, and with our collaborators, to provide hands-on support to each selected solution, including executive mentorship, commercialization strategy, and proof-of-concept development. The Climate Pledge and Plug and Play will also help Velocity Program Participants leverage various communication and event channels across various networks. 

• Who should apply?

  Velocity is open to climate solution providers at a late stage of development — meaning you have a proven pilot or prototype, at least one confirmed customer, and are ready (or nearly ready) to scale commercially (i.e. Technology Readiness Level (TRL 6+).  That’s why the eligible applicants include Climate Pledge Signatories, Climate Pledge Fund investees, Amazon Suppliers, Earthshot Prize Finalists and Winners, Plug and Play network affiliates. Eligible applicants may also nominate solutions they have already implemented or partnered with in their own operations and are interested in having these solutions scale commercially.

• How will applications be judged?

  Applications are evaluated by a selection committee using a weighted rubric that includes criteria like climate impact potential, scalability, commercial feasibility, and alignment with the program's focus areas (Materials Innovation and Energy Independence). Plug and Play facilitates the selection process and may flag portfolio companies for transparency but does not hold a voting seat.

• What support do participants receive?

  Selected participants receive nine months of targeted support including: strategic program management and advisory from The Climate Pledge and Plug and Play; matchmaking with Climate Pledge Signatories, Amazon Business Units, and academic research institutions; up to USD$100,000 in AWS promotional credits; curated site visits; introductions to prospective customers; joint communications and storytelling assets; and access to marquee Climate Pledge events.

• What is the expected time commitment?

  Selected solution providers should expect to dedicate a few hours per week over the nine-month program. Core activities include biweekly virtual check-ins, three quarterly in-person convenings, and periodic deep-dive workshops focused on topics like go-to-market strategy and scaling readiness. We also expect Program Participants to attend (in person) one or more Climate Pledge marquee events (e.g. The Climate Pledge Hub-New York Climate Week or London Climate Week) and collaboratively produce story-telling assets that help highlight the solution and progress through the Velocity Program.  We recommend designating a dedicated point of contact who can consistently engage with programming activities and represent your team across touchpoints.

• Why should I apply to the Velocity program?

  Access to The Climate Pledge Network: Gain access to the Pledge’s 700+ signatory community, Amazon teams, leading investors, and a global community of corporate partners actively looking to adopt climate solutions. Plug and Play will orchestrate targeted introductions and deal flows designed to unlock real commercial opportunities.

• Will my application be made public?

  No, your application materials will not be publicly accessible at any point during the application or review process. All materials submitted will be internally reviewed by vetted judges, reviewers, technical reviewers, and program staff. While your information will not be published publicly, you should not submit any proprietary information in your application. The management and protection of your proprietary information is your sole responsibility, both during the application phase and, if selected as a participant, during your participation in Velocity.

• How will the applications be judged?

  Plug and Play will help The Climate Pledge manage a multi-phase selection process that includes screening, review, and judging. Following the initial application review, a group of applicants will be selected as finalists for the next stage and may be asked to provide additional written information. Applicants should therefore be prepared to respond promptly to follow-up questions after applications close in November. Expert panels of judges from Amazon, The Climate Pledge, Climate Pledge Signatory Community, and Plug and Play will use evaluation criteria to assign quantitative scores to each innovation. These scores, coupled with qualitative deliberation discussions, determine the selection of Velocity participants. Judges will evaluate your applications on a variety of criteria, including but not limited to ability to scale, financial and technical feasibility, carbon footprint impact, and innovative approach.

• Can I use AI to help me write my application?

  You can use AI to assist in your writing answers to application questions. However, you are responsible for checking the content and ensuring that it accurately reflects the current status of your innovation. Fabricated or misleading information in your application may lead to your removal from Velocity.

• What is the program timeline?

  September to November 2026: Strategy, Application, and Sourcing

  The call for applications officially launches during New York Climate Week on September 20, 2026 with a dedicated call for applications. Plug and Play operates a custom web-based application portal, manages the intake process, and leverages The Climate Pledge's existing signatory network, The Earthshot Prize, Amazon Business Units, and The Climate Pledge Fund to source candidates.

   

  November 2026 to December 2026: Screening and Selection

  The Selection Committee will screen applications and down-select to a shortlist of fifteen solutions, followed by a virtual pitch competition and final deliberations to select a cohort of four companies. Selected companies will be notified and onboarded ahead of the active program phase.

   

  January 2027: 

  The four Velocity Program participants will be contacted and publicly announced. The Velocity selected Program Participants will work with The Climate Pledge and Plug and Play to craft the public announcement. 

   

  February to October 2027: Program Execution

  The active nine-month program kicks off with a Solutions Showcase and Activation Day, bringing the cohort together with TCP signatories and corporate partners for hands-on demonstrations, technical presentations, and reverse pitches from potential customers. This is followed by three months of structured bespoke support per solution, including executive mentorship, go-to-market strategy refinement, pilot scoping, and direct collaboration with anchor partners to test and validate each technology in real-world conditions.

   

  Note: Timeline is subject to change at the discretion of The Climate Pledge

• Does participation in Velocity guarantee integration of my innovation into the operations of Amazon, Signatories, or any other company?

  No, participation does not guarantee that your climate solution will be integrated into the operations of a company. Program participants would still need to reach mutually agreeable commercial terms with an entity engaged in the Velocity program.