MUMBAI: In a worthwhile push towards the government’s ‘Startup India’ initiative, Amazon Launchpad saw around 250 plus applications within three days of its launch. The programme helps make it easier for Indian startups to launch, market and distribute their products to millions of Amazon customers across India and around the world.
Facebook meantime has picked up three more Indian startups -- skill-based networking app Skillmate, rental platform SimplyMoveIn and social platform for investors and traders Talkoot – for FbStart startup mentorship programme.
The startups will receive credits up to US$40,000 and free tools and services from Facebook and its more than 30 partners including Amazon, Dropbox, UserTesting, and MailChimp. Besides partners, startups get free access to more than 25 services including open source tools like React Native, FB Login and Account Kit and App Analytics.
Amazon.in received over 400 applications within two weeks of the launch. Most of the applicants are young startups that are about one and half years old. Around 60 per cent applicants have never sold on Amazon.in before.
Electronics, grocery and health & personal care are among the major categories of applicants. While applications have mainly been received from metros, startups from tier 2 & 3 towns such as Hubli, Mehsana and Thissur have also applied.
Amazon Launchpad has partnered with various constituents in the ecosystem, such as DIPP’s Startup India initiative and offers startups a streamlined on-boarding experience.
Consumers benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, Amazon’s 24x7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee.
Over a dozen Indian startups have been inducted into the FB programme over the past year. These startups will get an opportunity to connect directly with the Facebook team and will be enrolled into the social media giant’s exclusive community of global startups that include Adobe, Coursera, Dropbox, and Salesforce.
Any developer who has launched a working mobile app in Google Play app stores or Apple is eligible to apply for FbStart.
