Amazon partners with Startup India to boost ecommerce exports from India

Amazon today announced the launch of Amazon Global Selling Propel (AGSP). The initiative aims to provide support to emerging Indian brands and startups to reach customers around the world. Thus, Amazon has partnered with Startup India to launch an accelerator program to help early-stage startups in the consumer products space. It will help them launch in international markets and create global brands from India through AGSP.

As part of the Startup Accelerator, Amazon has constituted a mentorship board. It consists of Amazon leaders from India and across the world, VCs and senior leaders from Startup India, Invest India. They will, further, engage with emerging brands and provide them with tailored resources. Other incentives include 1:1 mentorship and insights on building successful exports business through e-commerce.

Further, Amazon will also host open virtual mentorship sessions for peer learning. It has invited veteran entrepreneurs and members from its mentorship board for startups for the same. Startups will learn to network and take lessons from their existing ecosystem. The accelerator program will provide startups with an opportunity to showcase their business proposition to partner VC firms – Sequoia Capital India and Fireside Ventures and a chance to win a total equity-free grant of $50,000 from Amazon.

From the leaders

“The adoption of technology and digital transformation has paved the way for India to be at the forefront of innovation. It has, thus, given a rise to some of the best startups in the world. Many promising, emerging brands have the capability to become big and go global. Thus, this timely initiative by Amazon can prove to be a big stepping stone for startups to build their business.” said Mr Deepak Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India.

Amit Agarwal, Global Senior VP and Country Head Amazon India said, “Amazon Global Selling, our flagship program to grow Exports from India is witnessing tremendous momentum. We have been seeing an increasing interest from exporters across India. Our partnership with Startup India to launch this accelerator program will provide emerging brands with an opportunity to bring their business propositions to life. Further, we will help them create globally popular brands from India. With Amazon Global Selling, we aim o continue to make Exports simple and accessible to businesses of all sizes. Thus, fulfiling our commitment of enabling $10 billion in e-commerce exports from India by 2025.”

About the Startup Accelerator

You can apply to the program by 7th February 2021. The interested startups can log on to the official website or complete their application on Startup India website. The program will feature a six week 1:1 mentorship module for the shortlisted participants. They will get to interact with Amazon leaders from India and worldwide. They will further get firsthand knowledge on building and scaling up exports business through ecommerce. Amazon will also provide support for these startups to launch their products worldwide through its Exports program – Amazon Global Selling. The accelerator program will provide startups with a chance to showcase their business proposition to partner VC firms – Sequoia Capital India and Fireside Ventures. The top 3 winners will, further, get a total equity-free grant of $50,000 from Amazon.

Who can apply?

Early-stage startups in the consumer products space who have raised funding in the post-seed to pre-series A stage can participate in the program. Further, they must have the vision to expand their business to global markets. An Amazon-led panel will evaluate the entires. The pointers that they will see are business idea, scalability and strength of the business plan/model, business metrics in launched markets, founding team credentials amongst others. Only 10 applicants will make it to the startup accelerator.