English (UK) About AIA
The Amazon Innovation Accelerator (AIA) is a unique training initiative that invites small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public sector organisations and non-profits into Amazon’s operations to understand first-hand how the company has scaled. In turn, it provides participants with unique best practices on how to innovate and grow.
This programme isn’t just about learning—it’s about equipping SMEs with real-world strategies to think bigger, move faster, and innovate like industry leaders.
Empowering SMEs
AIA is designed to help businesses understand and apply proven digital strategies—such as machine learning and automation—to drive efficiency, scale smarter, and compete more effectively in today’s fast-moving economy.
52%
Uplift in knowledge applying innovation frameworks.
Success Rate
94%
Of SMEs previously participating would recommend the programme.
Supporting SMEs across the UK
500+
In 2025, we will upskill 500 SMEs local to our sites and across the UK.
Driving Real Impact for SMEs Across the UK
The Amazon Innovation Accelerator is driving real impact for UK SMEs, demonstrating the major role large corporates can play in local economies.
The programme has highlighted strong demand for AI integration, digital transformation, and strategic support in commercialising innovation. By sharing best practices, digital tools, and industry insights, Amazon is empowering SMEs to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and long-term resilience, accelerating knowledge diffusion to tackle the UK’s long‑standing SME productivity challenges and boost economic growth.
Today, I had the opportunity to attend the AIA in Bristol and it was a fantastic experience. The event was a prefect blend of knowledge transfer, best practices and networking with like-minded SMEs and startups. Meeting AWS gurus and learning about the Amazon Innovation Leadership principles were among the highlights of the day. We also had the chance to tour the site and witness the impressive Amazon robotics in action.
Amy Stone
Founder, Surveyr
I spent some time with business leaders from across the area who are taking part in the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme. The growing use of robotics and automation to make operations more efficient shows that there is so much that can be achieved by embracing innovation through programmes such as this.
Claire Young MP
,
The innovation I’ve seen here today – this is exactly what we need to stay one step ahead of global competition.
Sharon Hodgson MP
Washington and Gateshead South,
We don’t do enough to help SMEs sell into supply chains. That’s a missed opportunity we need to fix – and programmes like AIA help make that connection.
Rachel Anderson
Assistant Director of Policy, North East Chamber of Commerce
I loved taking part in the programme. The visit to LCY3, the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dartford, was an eye opener on its own! So much of the layout, systems, processes and mechanisms were transferable across to what we do at the Felix Project. Thank you Amazon!
Charlotte Hill
Chief Executive, The Felix Project
I found the tour fascinating and the conversations and work we did through the day have given us lots to think about.
Daniel I’Anson
Head of Business Intelligence, SCOPE
It was good to develop my understanding of Amazon and see how some of your methodology can be applied to our work at TeenTech – I’m still digesting all the information.
Maggie Philbin
CEO , TeenTech
Hearing about how Amazon has embedded leadership principles and culture into the business was fascinating and something we’re keen to learn from.
Connor Blunt
Sales Operations Manager, Millennium Cargo
The Amazon Innovation Accelerator has given me quite a lot of inspiration including how we can learn from Amazon’s attention to detail on the factory floor and how small improvements to processes can lead to efficiencies. We have started to look at how we can incorporate similar improvements.
Thomas Baumgartner
Finance Director, Voestalpine Metsec
Seeing the behaviours and the values of Amazon and how they foster innovation as an employer, it’s good to see how they make that sustainable with so many people which has made us look at what we do. We have continuous improvement processes but not as systematically as Amazon. That process has helped us reinvigorate what we do.
John Wingfield
Managing Director, Flambeau EuroPlast
The information we have learned from the course from Amazon will help feed into how we look at systems, IT projects and what we ultimately prioritise to make the best improvements.
Jon Booth
Head of Sustainability & Performance, AV Dawson
This programme will accelerate local businesses around them to grow, become more successful and employ more people so that everyone’s winning. Amazon do an awful lot to help the wider population.
Daniel Stewart
, McDonald Water Storage
It was great to see how a big company is doing things and we can try and pick some of that and use those for our own little company.
Andrew Pailor
Managing Director, JJ Hardy
It was great to meet like-minded people from other SMEs from around the Greater Manchester area who have similar problems, but just in different markets with different products, and hear about what they’ve been doing.
Mike Jenkinson
Managing Director, Booth Industries
I was inspired by the structured approach to everything that Amazon does and thought that was very strong and was probably my core takeaway. I was already process-orientated in my mindset but it’s pushing open a door in terms of my own thoughts.
Dr Gavin Pell
Managing Director, Chandlers
about
Growth Studio drives growth and innovation for startups and established businesses, partnering with global brands like Cisco and Amazon to deliver impactful results.
As AIA’s delivery partner, we provide tailored, hands-on support, equipping SMEs with actionable insights, valuable connections, and the confidence to thrive in a dynamic business environment.
Our Partners
Fife Chamber
Fife Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organisation. Their primary aim is to support businesses towards achieving its goals. They do this by opening doors for businesses, through networking, events and business support.
Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
As the voice of local business since 1813, Greater Birmingham Chamber strive to help firms across the region connect, support and grow, and are currently supporting over 3,100 businesses in our network. They offer an array of services and initiatives to businesses across six geographical regions and four themed divisions. The Chamber has something for business of all sizes and from all sectors.
Fife Council
Fife Council is the third largest local authority in Scotland, employing approximately 18,000 people who provide 900 different services to over 366,900 people. They provide services such as education, social work, housing, and community services to transportation, looking after the environment and developing the economy.
North East Combined Authority
The North East Combined Authority is a combined authority in North East England. It has a directly-elected Mayor and seven member councils: two are unitary authorities and five are metropolitan borough councils.
Tees Valley Combined Authority
TVCA is chaired by the Tees Valley Mayor and supported by five local authorities and Business Board. It is working across priority sectors to ensure Tees Valley is a dynamic, forward-looking and ambitious region which is playing its role in the wider development of the UK.
GM Business Growth Hub
GM Business Growth Hub is Greater Manchester’s business support organisation. Part of The Growth Company, they help unlock potential in businesses that want to achieve more. They provide support with funding, innovation, people, sales, and sustainability
Medway Council
Medway Council is a unitary council responsible for providing services, including education and social services, in Rochester, Strood, Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, the nearby rural areas and the Hoo Peninsula. Medway is the largest urban area in the south-east outside London. The council also ensures that people comply with regulations, supports business and tourism in Medway and works to include everyone and regenerate the area.
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Our Partners
