The Amazon Innovation Accelerator is a unique training initiative that brings small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into Amazon’s operations to see first-hand how the company approaches innovation. Through a behind-the-scenes view of its operation in Bristol, the Accelerator gives local businesses the chance to learn from one of the world’s largest and most dynamic companies.
Launched in 2023, the Amazon Innovation Accelerator is a free training programme that combines in-person workshops led by senior Amazon leaders, site tours, demonstrations of the company’s latest technologies and online learning. The programme was created by Amazon to help SME’s boost their productivity though the adoption of proven strategies in areas such as automation, machine learning, and operational efficiency.
Participating businesses from the South West benefitted from learning about Amazon’s innovation culture and working practices that they can apply in their own businesses.
“After the success of last year’s Amazon Innovation Accelerator, we’re excited to be expanding the activity this year to cover a total of twelve locations across the UK,” said Richard Griffiths, General Manager at Amazon in Bristol. “Our aim with the Accelerator has always been to support UK businesses to grow and create a culture of innovation in their own teams. We’re looking forward to continuing this, driving growth in businesses like Grace and Green in Bristol and across the country.”
Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, added: “While many might drive past this Amazon site each day, it’s not very often you get a chance to go inside and see the work they’re doing firsthand.
“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 programs such as this.
“It was a great opportunity to discuss with local businesses the challenges they face, my thoughts on the future of small cutting-edge businesses, and how we can go about championing them to drive us forward.”
Grace and Green, a period care brand based in Bristol, is one of the businesses that attended the Accelerator in Bristol. Andrea Jonat, supply chain & projects lead at Grace & Green, shared her experience and encouraged others to apply for the free programme.
Grace & Green is on a mission to ensure all workplaces and public spaces provide free period care and education, seeking to make period care accessible to all and leave no trace on the planet. Founder Fran Lucraft had a desire to create a transparent and ethical supply chain of period products. Fran previously worked for the United Nations in the sanitation sector, and was shocked to see how much of the earth’s pollution came from mainstream period products. She wanted to create not only a range of sustainable period products, but a space to educate on menstrual health, menopause and more.
“For us, it’s not just about leaving the earth as we found it, but it’s about breaking the taboo surrounding women’s health and educating people,” Andrea said. “We do this through our period dignity scheme, encouraging businesses to provide free period care for their staff, and providing educational pieces and seminars. We also care deeply about period poverty and work with the government to provide period care for the one in five women who can’t afford to purchase period products each month.”
The company, which sells on Amazon, recently attended the Amazon Innovation Accelerator in Bristol. Speaking on the experience, Andrea shared: “I thought it was an excellent initiative from Amazon. I was really surprised to hear how passionate they are about SMEs, and how much SMEs add to the marketplace of Amazon. I really enjoyed meeting other businesses and swapping stories, connecting with others in similar situations and seeing how we can work with them. We also heard from local MP Claire Young, and hearing what is available to us from through the council was invaluable.”
Andrea was really struck by the importance of culture in Amazon. She said: “For such a huge company, I was surprised to see how the leadership had the Amazon leadership principles engrained in their day-to-day operations. This framework is something Grace & Green will definitely take away as we grow.”
Speaking on other learnings she plans to implement at Grace & Green, Andrea added: “I love Amazon’s approach of looking at the customer first, starting with their motivations and desires. I thought this was really unique and something I’d quite like to start within our own operations. I would really recommend the Accelerator to any businesses looking to grow – it’s a great opportunity, and I really enjoyed the tour of the warehouse and seeing how our products are sent out to the people buying them.”
What’s next for Grace & Green?
“We want to launch into Europe, and as part of our vision to deliver dignity for all, we are launching some new products that aren’t quite on the market yet. We’re super keen to keep making a positive impact in menstrual health care, especially by expanding our period dignity scheme, and supporting those experiencing period poverty. The Amazon Innovation Accelerator showed the importance of taking the space and time to focus on innovation and how we can push forward, and I’m excited to see how we grow as we carve the time out to work on this.”
The programme is part of Amazon’s ongoing commitment to supporting local economies and driving innovation in the communities where it operates.
SMEs operating across all sectors that are looking to embrace digital transformation, improve operational efficiency, and scale their business using proven innovation strategies, should apply for participation at future events. For more information, please contact aia-uk@amazon.com or visit growthstudio.com