Retail Channels
07 June 2023
eBay seeks startups for ecommerce accelerator
The marketplace teamed with Techstars to support entrepreneurs charting the future of ecommerce.
Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash
×
The Current, delivered daily.
Ecommerce news, right to your inbox.
Sign up for our email newsletter.
Subscribe.sticky-cta-wrapper {
width: 100%;
position: fixed;
bottom: 0;
left: 0;
background-color: var(--black);
}
Subscribe to The Current newsletter
Ecommerce marketplace eBay is teaming up with a national pre-seed investor to launch a new accelerator for startups building ecommerce technology.
The program, called Techstars Future of Ecommerce powered by eBay, will apply an accelerator model from Techstars that has supported thousands of companies to innovation that aims "to make selling and buying more equitable, attainable and sustainable,” according to eBay.
“Techstars has supported thousands of entrepreneurs that are using innovative technologies to transform industries,” said Collin Wallace, Managing Director at Techstars. “eBay’s expertise as an ecommerce pioneer paired with the programming, capital and connections that Techstars provides will create an unparalleled opportunity for founders.”
Here are key details about the program:
- Length: 13-week program
- Location: Hybrid. Founders can participate in-person in San Francisco, or remotely.
- Applications are open here through July 5.
Subscribe to The Current Newsletter
SubscribeTrending in Retail Channels
Marketing
07 June 2023
Walmart incubation arm teams up for Web3 accelerator
Applications are open for startups interested in the 12-week Store Nº8 dCommerce Base Camp.
Walmart Universe of Play in Roblox. (Courtesy photo)
Walmart incubation arm Store Nº8 and Web3 accelerator Outlier Ventures are teaming up to support retail startups.
The organizations opened applications this week for the Store Nº8 dCommerce Base Camp accelerator. The virtual program will offer education, funding and mentorship to startups building solutions in Web3 that are designed for the retail and commerce experience.
Focus areas for selected startups will include decentralized infrastructure, data and growth solutions, immersive experiences and the metaverse and the intersection of AI and blockchain technology.
“We think dCommerce represents a huge opportunity to unbundle ecommerce into its constituent parts, and into a more decentralized and composable stack of protocols to create a more efficient, equitable and improved experience for retailers and consumers from CRM to last-mile delivery," said Outlier Ventures CEO Jamie Burke, in a statement. "There is clearly no better partner than Store Nº8, as Walmart's incubation arm, so we are thrilled to launch this accelerator program together.”
Beginning in mid-August, founders will take part in a 12-week program. The cohort members will receive funding and access to subject matter experts from Store Nº8 and Outlier Ventures. They will also receive support from industry mentors in areas such as product roadmap development, the token economy and fundraising.
“Decentralized commerce has the potential to unlock new value in the global commerce ecosystem, so we are excited to partner with Outlier Ventures to support and engage with entrepreneurs building at the forefront of this technology on their path to scale," said Store Nº8 VP Thomas Kang, in a statement.
The new program arrives in the year after Web3 and the metaverse saw a spike in interest from brands and retailers, as the arrival of immersive platforms opened up new digital environments where consumers gathered. Walmart entered the metaverse through an activation on Roblox, and also introduced a platform for digital collectibles. But it remains a nascent space, so there’s room for startups bringing fresh ideas to help larger enterprises develop capabilities. Alongside connections that help startups move forward, such learning is one potential outcome of the accelerator could last beyond the 12 weeks.
Applications for the accelerator are available here.
Keep reading...Show less
Loading...
Subscribe to The Current Newsletter
SubscribeLatest from Retail Channels
.sticky-cta-wrapper {
width: 100%;
position: fixed;
bottom: 0;
left: 0;
background-color: var(--black);
}
Subscribe to The Current newsletter