New and existing online businesses in Northern Ireland can join the new Amazon Small Business Accelerator, an online accelerator offering advice and more.
Belfast's start-up scene has exploded in recent years thanks in part to the work of accelerator programmes and local tech investment schemes. The Coronavirus lockdowns around the world have forced many schemes to move online, removing the distance barrier and in some cases making major US and global schemes accessible to tech firms here in Northern Ireland.
That's the case with the new Amazon Small Business Accelerator, a partnership between global tech giant Amazon and small business network Enterprise Nation. The scheme is free to join and will give businesses access to free training materials, services, and AWS credits for firms developing cloud technology, and other support from Amazon and partners.
The scheme is intended for businesses that want to do business online, and there will be 1,000 places available for an intensive 1-week bootcamp for offline businesses that want to build an online presence or begin using e-commerce. The online learning materials will be added soon and will be free to all businesses that sign up, and there will be discounts and deals on some business services offered.
Doug Gurr, Amazon UK Country Manager, commented on the initiative: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy in Northern Ireland and by helping them we can help families, communities and the UK bounce back more quickly. Amazon in Belfast is passionate about supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses, with more than half of all products sold on Amazon stores coming from our selling partners."
"Many businesses have found their way through the crisis by providing goods and services online. Now the Amazon Small Business Accelerator with Enterprise Nation will provide thousands of offline and online businesses with the skills, tools and support they need to succeed in the digital world, to reach customers through Amazon or any other service."
For more information or to register for the accelerator, head over to enterprisenation.com/accelerator and take the diagnostic test to find out where your company sits in the digital ecosystem and how the scheme can help.
Source: Written based on press release
