Amazon Encourages Employees To Create Their Own Startup

Amazon is offering to cover up to $10,000 in startup costs for employees who want to start their own business delivering packages. Amazon announced the plan on Monday as part of its goal of delivering Amazon Prime packages in one day.

“The new incentive is an expansion of its Delivery Service Partner Program that allows current Amazon employees a chance to start their own small business delivery company with its backing,” Fox Business reports, “The company said it now plans to fund startup costs, up to $10,000, as well as supplement three months of the former employee’s last gross salary to get the delivery business off the ground.”

The initiative will help Amazon control delivery of its own packages, instead of shipping via the U.S. Postal Service or UPS. Employees who take Amazon up on the offer can only deliver Amazon and Whole Foods products. Still, thousands of Amazon employees have taken advantage of the program.

“We received overwhelming interest from tens of thousands of individuals who applied to be part of the Delivery Service Partner program, including many employees,” Amazon’s senior vice president, Dave Clark, said on Monday.

Clake continues, “We’ve heard from associates that they want to participate in the program but struggled with the transition. Now we have a path for those associated with an appetite for opportunities to own their own businesses.”

Amazon will provide training, access to delivery technology and discounts on assets, such as Amazon-branded delivery vehicles and uniforms, Fox Business reports.