Amazon has unveiled the eight startups in the UK chosen to join its Sustainability Accelerator, a launchpad for high-potential startups. This comes after Amazon revealed research that shows investors are rewarding startups that promise a commitment to sustainability.  

One of those eight startups is premium pet brand, Tangle, an innovative brand launched in 2022 to counteract the ghost fishing net problem. The sustainable business was co-founded by former Stockport Grammar School pupil Xavier Warburton and his business partner Sam Cartwright, whose idea to repurpose end-of-life fishing nets into long-lasting, premium dog products for environment conscious dog owners impressed the e-commerce giant looking to support early-stage businesses with massive potential.  Tangle was chosen out of over 1,500 applicants, they stood out because of their innovative approach to tackling the ghost fishing net problem by repurposing end-of-life fishing nets into long-lasting, premium dog products.

Responding to the selection, Xavier shared:

"We’re thrilled to be part of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator program and to have the opportunity to work with other innovative startups. We believe that our approach can make a real difference in protecting our oceans and marine life, and we’re really looking forward to this next chapter and scaling up our impact with the support of Amazon and EIT Climate-KIC." 

Photograph: Xavier Warburton (OS 2014) & Sam Cartwright, Co-Founder's of Tangle (Photography by Tangle)

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a 12-week programme to help founders navigate the challenges of starting and scaling a business. Amazon and EIT Climate-KIC will work together to help the startups through a Climate Impact Forecast, they will audit the business’ climate impact and develop strategies to improve their environmental footprint and consumer proposition. 

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, commented:

“The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is the ideal launchpad for high-potential startups, and we are proud to be helping a second cohort of founders scale their businesses to deliver innovative technologies and sustainable products.” 

Xavier adds:

“We’re all aware of the impact of plastic bottles and straws, but in reality, ghost nets make up nearly half of all plastics in our oceans and they’re far more deadly to marine life. Lost or discarded nets continue to ‘ghost’ around the ocean entangling and killing marine life so unnecessarily. By creating our beautifully made dog products from recycled nets, Tangle stops the ghost net problem and in-turn allows animal lovers help save marine life. We're on track to stop over 500 tennis courts worth (137,800 sqm) of fishing nets becoming ghost nets this year.” 

At the end of the Accelerator programme, all startups will have the opportunity to pitch their business to a board of investors. Last years Amazon Sustainability Accelerator startups raised more than £4.5 million.  

About Tangle 

Launched in 2022 by Sam Cartwright and Xavier Warburton, Tangle is a premium, sustainable dog brand on a mission to raise awareness around the issue of ghost nets being dumped in our oceans.  

Both lifelong dog lovers, Sam and Xavier first met in a co-working space in central London and bonded over their joint passion for sustainability and a desire to make a tangible difference in the world. The idea for Tangle was born out of their shock at the impact ghost nets had on ocean life combined with the realisation that approaching the problem sustainably with the help of man’s best friend was a great way to also raise awareness. 

With a mission to make a real difference to global ocean life preservation, Tangle’s range of premium dog accessories made from recycled fishing nets, prevents these nets from entering the marine ecosystem. Every Tangle product sold also supports Ghost Fishing UK, a charity dedicated to removing abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear from UK waters. 

The Tangle Dog Lead - A strong, lightweight 4 ft dog lead made from discarded fishing nets featuring a padded brown cork handle and label, chrome plated clip and O-ring that allows for clipping the lead over your shoulder when your dog’s running free. The Tangle Dog Lead is durable, waterproof, chew proof and rinseable under the tap, available in two sizes 10mm for small and medium dogs and 12mm for larger dogs in Ocean Green online at www.tanglemission.com, RRP £39.99 including P&P. 

Visit their website here: https://tanglemission.com/

Coming soon in 2023:  

Tangle Dog Bowl, green marble-effect bowl made from recycled fishing nets, RRP £29.99 

Tangle Throw Toy, strong, durable, lightweight and buoyant, RRP £14.99  

Every Tangle product sold also supports Ghost Fishing UK, a charity dedicated to removing abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear from UK waters. 

About Tangle’s Founders 

Former Stockport Grammar School pupil, Xavier Warburton is Co-Founder & CEO of Tangle and is an experienced entrepreneur who exited his first business at 21yrs old. A commercially minded business leader, Xavier is passionate about doing business the right way, ensuring the planet and long-term relationships are top of mind. The current ambition is building a globally recognised brand everyone would be proud to associate with. 
 
To fund university studies Xavier worked in the yachting industry and saw the massive plastic pollution problem first hand. Since then, there was always a calling in the back of his mind, a calling to make a tangible difference in the world and raise awareness of this plastic pollution problem - more specifically the ghost fishing net problem. 
 
Sam Cartwright, Co-Founder of Tangle, has 5-years’ experience in high-growth startups focused on making a positive impact - whether that be reducing food waste or engaging companies in volunteering. He’s similarly passionate about building a business that makes a difference with every product it sells and believes sustainability and business can go hand-in-hand to create real change. 
 
Xavier and Sam met in a co-working space in London and got chatting 'all things' sustainability, especially the recent photos of whales trapped in ghost nets. Over a beer one evening after work, they discussed how big the ghost fishing net problem was and how it felt like nobody was doing anything about it/ it was constantly being swept under the rug. They realised there was an opportunity to raise awareness of the problem and turn something deadly into a product that stopped the problem at its source. 
 
Growing up with dogs themselves, both Xavier and Sam knew pet owners understood nature and wildlife. They knew others would be keen to come together as a community around the Ghost Net Problem. The pet sector stood out as being so historically set in its ways, with most products being made out of new rubbers and plastics thousands of miles away - they thought “There must be a better way!” And Tangle was born. On a mission to stop ghost nets through long-lasting dog accessories that’s good for you and the ocean. 

Thank you to Warrior Agency for sharing this content.