Salesforce recently announced that it is joining forces with the Australian start-up ecosystem, as its premier event in Australia and New Zealand, the Salesforce World Tour Melbourne continues
The global cloud computing giant will partner with Aussie start-ups on three fronts: a partnership with a not-for-profit tech start-up advocacy group, a new program aimed at helping tech start-ups and a philanthropic program intended to attract Aussie businesses of all sizes.
Partnering with StartupAUS
Salesforce announced a new partnership with StartupAUS, a not-for-profit tech start-up advocacy group that aims to foster and build out the community of tech entrepreneurs in Australia.
The partnership intends to help accelerate the growth of the Australian start-up ecosystem by offering Aussie start-ups access to Salesforce technology and allowing them to connect with experts and executives, both locally and globally, at Salesforce events.
Salesforce will also work closely with StartupAUS to encourage a positive and productive policy and regulatory environment for start-ups in Australia.
Introducing Salesforce for Start-ups
Additionally, Salesforce announced the launch of the Salesforce for Startups program in Australia, giving tech entrepreneurs the tools needed to successfully build and grow their businesses.
The program is designed to give tech entrepreneurs direct access to Salesforce technology and resources needed to successfully build and grow their business.
It will also connect early-stage tech entrepreneurs with a unique community of Salesforce customers, partners, executives, subject-matter experts and other successful entrepreneurs.
The three core elements to the program are:
- Build: As part of the program, start-ups will have access to the Salesforce1 Platform, enabling them to quickly build any kind of app at scale.
- Grow: The program provides access to curated content and tools to help start-ups delight customers and grow, from customer service to sales.
- Give Back: Start-ups are encouraged to integrate philanthropy into the fabric of their company from the very beginning.
Getting Australian businesses to Pledge 1%
Salesforce hopes that both the partnership with StartupAUS and the Salesforce for Startups program will provide Australian start-ups with a framework in which they can give back to the local community, based on the Pledge 1% program.
Salesforce has partnered with successful start-up Atlassian and the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado to start the Pledge 1% program – a movement committed to changing the world through inspiring early-stage corporate philanthropy.
The Pledge 1% program has huge potential to impact the local Australian community through access to innovative technology, volunteerism and grants.
Since kicking off in Australia on 1 March, six companies have already made the pledge to donate one per cent of their time, equity and product to make an impact on the Australian community.
These include Ansarada, BrickX, eWAY, Safety Culture, Stories 360 and Trade Ignite.
“Giving back has always been a big priority for eWAY,” said Matt Bullock, the founder of eWAY. “By joining Pledge 1%, we are looking to inspire fellow companies to create an impact in their communities here in Australia.”
“Getting involved in 1% was an opportunity to formalise eWAY’s commitment to philanthropy, to get staff personally involved and invested in the idea of giving back, and overall to donate more money to causes that are close to their heart like Ronald McDonald House is to my family.”
Matt revealed to Anthill that he wants to encourage eWAY’s almost 18,000 merchants to also get on board with the initiative. eWAY have provided support to not-for-profit organisations around Australia for the past six years through discounted community plans, processing close to $500 million in charitable donations made online.
Matt is also personally involved in Ronald McDonald House and donates time and money and takes part in the OzHarvest CEO Cookoff, recently raising more than $16,000.
Photo courtesy of Salesforce Australia & NZ blog