On May 23, Amazon's fulfilment centre (FC) in Passo Corese hosted the Italian launch of the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme, following its successful implementation in the UK. The full-day event brought together entrepreneurs, institutional representatives, and Amazon team members for training and networking dedicated to supporting Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With a straightforward and practical goal, the initiative leverages Amazon's twenty-plus years of experience to provide local businesses with tangible tools for innovation. Participants explored key drivers of competitiveness essential for growth in today's market: digitalisation, leadership, innovation culture, and sustainability.
From theory to practice: A “Working backwards” method for customer-centric innovation
A highlight of the event was the workshop focusing on our “Working backwards” method, an approach developed within Amazon and one of our Leadership Principles for designing customer-centric services and strategies. Participants had the opportunity to apply this method to their own businesses, guided by programme facilitators, and develop customised solutions for sustainable and innovative growth.
The day included a guided tour of the Passo Corese FC, one of our most advanced logistics hubs in Italy. During the tour, guests observed firsthand the technologies and processes that enable the fast and efficient delivery of millions of products daily, understanding how innovation and organisation work hand in hand. According to a recent Ipsos survey, 78% of local residents consider Amazon’s presence valuable for the area’s economic development; 89% recognise its role in job creation, and 67% identify it as one of the region’s main growth drivers.
“In the UK & Ireland, we’ve seen extraordinary enthusiasm from participating businesses and tangible results with 94% of participants stating they would recommend the programme to other businesses, which encouraged us to scale things up. Bringing it to Italy, the first EU country to host the Innovation Accelerator, is a natural step to share this model in an equally vibrant business environment”, said Rupool Mazumder, Senior Programme Manager of Amazon Innovation Accelerator.
“With the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme, we aim to provide Italian SMEs with practical tools to innovate, grow, and strengthen their competitiveness, building on Amazon’s globally developed expertise and experience”, said Ilaria Zanelotti, Director of Seller Services at Amazon Italy. “We’re proud to contribute to our country’s economic development, working closely with local businesses to build a more dynamic, sustainable, and innovation-driven future together”.
"Innovation is no longer reserved only for large companies, but is a necessity for all businesses that want to grow in an increasingly competitive market. With the Innovation Accelerator, we provide Italian SMEs not only with AWS cloud technologies but also with cultural approaches, work methodologies, and best practices that have allowed Amazon itself to constantly innovate. The cloud democratizes access to advanced tools such as artificial intelligence and data analysis, allowing even smaller companies to compete on a global scale", states Giulia Gasparini, AWS Italy country leader.
"We are particularly proud to host an initiative like the Amazon Innovation Accelerator in our territory, which demonstrates concrete attention to economic development and growth of the local business community. Since Amazon's arrival in Passo Corese, we have established a constructive and ongoing dialogue with the company, finding representatives who are always available, proactive, and attentive to the needs of the territory. In general, the presence of the Logistics Hub represents a strategic resource not only for Fara in Sabina but for the entire Sabina and Rieti area, and initiatives like this confirm the value of solid collaboration between institutions and businesses. We are convinced that investing in training, innovation, and skill sharing is fundamental to strengthening the competitiveness of our businesses. For this reason, we will continue to support and promote opportunities for discussion and growth like today's event, for which we thank Amazon, and which represent a concrete opportunity to build a more dynamic entrepreneurial future together", stated Roberta Cuneo, Mayor of Fara in Sabina.
During the meeting, data highlighting our concrete contribution to national economic development was shared: in 2023 alone, we invested over €4 billion in Italy, contributing to the creation of 19,000 permanent jobs. Today, more than 21,000 Italian SMEs sell through Amazon, benefitting from tools, training, and international visibility.
A model for the future
Choosing Italy as the first EU country wasn’t coincidental – the vitality and potential of Italian businesses, combined with Amazon’s strong presence in the country, represent the ideal context for fostering a new generation of innovation-oriented businesses. With Passo Corese, the Amazon Innovation Accelerator has a clear goal: building a more dynamic, sustainable, and bringing people together.
