Small & medium business

InnovUp and AIKO

InnovUp, an incubator supporting Italy’s startup ecosystem, and AIKO, a deep tech startup, partnered with Amazon Business to streamline procurement, enhance financial flexibility, and drive growth.

Fostering innovation in the startup ecosystem

 

InnovUp, the Italian association representing over 500 members, including startups, scaleups, and corporates, plays a vital role in fostering growth within the country’s innovation ecosystem. As an incubator, InnovUp connects its members with resources and partnerships to help them succeed.

AIKO, a deep tech startup founded in 2017, uses AI to make space operations simpler, more reliable, and sustainable. In just two years, Aiko has doubled its team and continues to scale rapidly.

 

Both InnovUp and AIKO have embraced Amazon Business as a key solution to simplify procurement, enhance efficiency, and support their missions of driving innovation and growth.

 

Overcoming challenges with Amazon Business

 

For InnovUp, the challenge lied in supporting a diverse ecosystem of startups and scaleups that require fast, efficient solutions to thrive.

AIKO needed a way to streamline its procurement process while maintaining financial flexibility, ensuring that resources could be allocated effectively to support rapid growth and innovation.

"Amazon Business is a game changer because it gives us financial flexibility and helps with cash management.''

— Francesca Ledda, Business Operations Associate at AIKO

Amazon Business has provided InnovUp with a centralised platform for purchasing, enabling startups and scaleups within its ecosystem to save time and reduce complexity. By streamlining procurement processes, InnovUp has been able to offer its members a more efficient way to access the resources they need to grow and succeed. The tailored support provided by Amazon Business ensures that InnovUp’s members can focus on innovation rather than administrative hurdles.

 

 

For AIKO, Amazon Business has been transformative in managing cash flow and scaling operations. The financial flexibility offered by Amazon Business, such as end-of-month payment options, has allowed Aiko to allocate resources effectively without immediate financial strain. Additionally, the automation of procurement processes has eliminated inefficiencies, ensuring that every purchase aligns with the company’s R&D needs and budget.

"We connect the startups with the team of Amazon Business that has always been extremely supportive with us but also with the startups and with their specific needs.''

— Laura Fornara, Public Affairs at InnovUp

This streamlined approach has enabled AIKO to focus on its core mission of innovating in the space industry, making Amazon Business a vital partner in their journey. With the partnership continuing to grow, InnovUp envisions even greater opportunities for its members to thrive, while AIKO continues to leverage Amazon Business to scale its operations and drive innovation in the space industry.

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