Amazon offers up to $10K for employees to start own delivery business

In a new attempt to cut out traditional package carriers like UPS, FedEx and the United States Parcel Service, Amazon is offering its employees up to $10,000 to start their own package delivery companies.

The online retail giant will also pay employees’ salaries for three months so the new business owners can get their companies off the ground more easily, according to a statement from Amazon.

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“We received overwhelming interest from tens of thousands of individuals who applied to be part of the Delivery Service Partner program, including many employees,” said Dave Clark, senior vice president of worldwide operations. “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 associates with an appetite for opportunities to own their own businesses.”

The Delivery Service Partner program launched in 2018, creating more than 200 new small businesses that have hired thousands of local drivers, according to Amazon. Amazon plans to add hundred more new businesses this year.

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The new startups will have consistent delivery volume from Amazon, access to the online giant’s delivery technology, hands-on training and discounts on a suit of assets and services like Amazon-branded vans and uniforms, along with insurance.

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