Following Amazon Academy events in London and Manchester, Scottish SMEs are now the focus for the programme. Web developers and startups are also encouraged to attend.

The free one-day event will provide Scottish SMEs with information and advice on the best way to achieve online business growth, covering revenue, productivity, exports and technologies.

The first Amazon Academy in Scotland will take place at the EICC, The Exchange, Edinburgh, EH3 8EE on Tuesday 23 May and registrations are now open.

Scottish SMEs can access keynotes and workshops from experts and fellow business leaders, with Enterprise Nation continuing its mission to support over 70,000 UK growing businesses.

“Scotland has a long history of invention, and today that heritage is on full display as a new generation of small businesses are using internet technologies to fuel Scotland’s fast growing digital economy,” said Doug Gurr, UK country manager, Amazon.

“There are big opportunities for Scottish SMEs to grow through ecommerce and exports, and we look forward to bringing together established and aspiring small businesses to discuss how to maximise their success.”

Thousands of businesses in Scotland already use Amazon’s business services, contributing to the £1.8bn total of UK exports by British businesses through Amazon Marketplace.

Workshops on the day are to include:

• How to boost export sales and go global through Amazon Marketplace
• How to use cloud computing to be lean, fast and agile through Amazon Web Services
• How to bring innovative new products to market through Amazon Launchpad
• How to reach new customers through Alexa, Amazon’s cloud-based voice service

The SME Growth Tracker released by Amazon and Enterprise Nation in Q1 revealed that Scottish SMEs expect better business prospects over the next year, believing revenue, profit and jobs will all rise.

Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “By developing their digital credentials, Scottish SMEs can stand shoulder to shoulder with businesses around the world.

“Getting support in digital technology can be a challenge for small businesses but through events like the Amazon Academy, that help is available and accessible for companies who want to expand their horizons and push the boundaries of their trade to a global level.”