Amazon India's special diversity grant to support women, PWDs, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs

Amazon on Tuesday announced a special grant to empower aspiring entrepreneurs from under-represented communities to join its Delivery Service Partner (DSP) programme in India

In a move to promote inclusivity, the ecommerce giant will help interested entrepreneurs to start their delivery business by giving them access to Amazon's delivery technology, hands-on training, and exclusively negotiated deals on services, including payroll management, insurance, and recruitment technology, among others.

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Amazon aims to enable aspiring entrepreneurs—women, persons with disability, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community—with financial support to cover some of their business set-up costs. Those with no prior logistics experience are also welcome to apply for the grant and participate in the programme, the company said.

"Since its inception in India in 2021, the DSP programme has not only aided Amazon in providing growth opportunities to SMBs, but it has also enabled us to expand our delivery network into the country's hinterlands. We are pleased to offer a special grant to women and other underrepresented communities joining the programme to evolve the logistics entrepreneurship ecosystem," says Karuna Shankar Pande, Director, Amazon Logistics, India.

"Amazon’s mission is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, and this mission is central to our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion," she adds.

At present, Amazon India has over 350 entrepreneurs as part of the programme. Its DSP programme is available in over 14 countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium, and Austria, with a global network of more than 1,000 delivery stations.

Rachna Kher, Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner from Pune, said, “The journey from corporate sector to a successful entrepreneur as Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner has been an enriching experience for me. In 2018, embarking on this journey with my business partner Priya Junagade wasn’t easy, but we decided to dream big and chase our dreams. As part of the programme, Amazon has provided us with all the required knowledge, training, and skills to build a strong business foundation.”

Globally, Amazon has committed nearly $7 million to support hundreds of entrepreneurs through various grant programmes. In 2019, the ecommerce giant launched the Military Veterans' Employment programme, where it partnered with the Office of the DGR and the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) to create alternate career opportunities for military families.