Amazon partners with Karnataka govt to help local startups sell online

Amazon India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS) at ‘ELEVATE100’ event today in Bangalore to educate, train and enable select startups to sell their products on Amazon, under its Launchpad program.

Amazon through its Launchpad program dedicated to promote innovative products backed by technological excellence, makes it easy for Indian startups to launch, market, and distribute their products to Amazon customers across India and around the world through a dedicated store.

Under this program, Amazon offers services of inventory management, order fulfilment, customer service and more for startups, allowing them to focus their efforts on the innovation that results in more products that customers will love.

Startups that have developed a unique and innovative consumer products qualify for Amazon Launchpad. The products have to be from a category Amazon.in currently operates in (except for books & media) and they should be ready for shipping on the day of the application, or the following 30 days.

As part of this alliance, Amazon Launchpad as a ‘Booster Kit Service Provider’ of Karnataka Startup Cell, shall provide a dedicated storefront on www.amazon.in and other services to all the shortlisted product startups including periodic support and services in improving their presence on the marketplace, generating demand for their products, and guiding them towards sustainable business growth under the program.

KBITS will share a database of product startups registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell with the Launchpad team on a monthly and quarterly basis.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, BT and Tourism, Government of Karnataka said “With their rich experience and deep understanding of consumers, Amazon Launchpad program can really make a difference in facilitating these talented startups take advantage of the growing digital economy and e-commerce. We expect Amazon’s Launchpad program to greatly boost the morale of young entrepreneurs and make them successful.”

Manish Tiwary, Vice-President, Category Management, Amazon India, added, “Through this program individual entrepreneurs, innovators and creators from across Karnataka can leverage the Amazon marketplace to increase the scale of their business and even get easy access to global markets.”