[NEW E-Commerce Listing] Amazon launches FBA credit lines, Affiliate marketing report released, new Google developer tools

Amazon has teamed with Goldman’s Marcus brand to offer credit to small businesses. Amazon had previously considered building its own marketplace for lenders, where lenders could compete over Amazon’s merchants. Instead, Amazon is to work exclusively with Goldman, offering revolving credit lines with fixed annual rates to small businesses.

The rates, according to people in the know, are 6.99% and 20.99%, and Goldman plans to use Amazon’s merchant data to improve its lending models and continue its push into DTC finance. Potential borrowers will see targeted messages on Seller Central, and applications will be a two-step process.

The New Head of Google Search will be Prabhakar Raghavan, the current head of Google Ads. As product teams are usually separated at Google, and Raghavan will be retaining control of Google Ads, this is seen by many as a worrying departure from normal procedure. The goals of Google Ads and Google Search are contradictory, as Google Ads aims to drive as much profit as possible by selling greater search visibility to their customers. Search Optimization, on the other hand, can provide this visibility for free. Google Ads’ interest in gaining more dominance over search results, and providing more space for advertisers, is also seen as contradictory to Google Search’s aim of providing the best user experience possible. 

Google has released its newer, easier developer tools. After canceling its Android 11 event to avoid drawing attention from the recent global protests, Google has quietly released the beta of Android 11. A series of short-form videos act as explainers for the new features, with updates to Android Studio forming the core of this release. Wireless debugging over ADB is touted as one of the key changes that should save time for developers. Another key change is the Android Emulator being hosted directly inside the IDE. Game developers can also look forward to a new interface for Google’s performance profilers.

France has tweaked its plans for startup finance amid concerns of startups being bought up by foreign companies. These moves, which include the launching of a new investment fund for key technology companies, follows a slew of measures introduced in March. France had been quick to offer assistance to startups, including bridge funds for companies seeking new investment, along with quicker tax returns. Startups can now expect more available money from the bridge round program and companies working on technological breakthroughs can expect to raise money more easily.

Rakuten has reported on the resilience of affiliate marketing during the COVID-19 outbreak. This report makes clear that 57% of affiliate marketers have, despite reductions in global ad spend, seen improvements to performance due to increased web traffic and social media referrals. Stuart McLennan, senior vice-president, APAC at Rakuten Advertising said, “This survey shows that there remains clear resilience and opportunity with channels able to pivot nimbly to the changes in consumer behavior induced by the Coronavirus crisis.” It is worth noting that 42% of the affiliates surveyed said that they had made changes to their marketing and promotional materials to account for the pandemic.

New this week, FE International is pleased to announce an exciting drop ship e-commerce business in the harvesting and indoor plant farming niche with five years of operating history and a 14% repeat customer rate over the LTM.

Launched in 2015, the business has quickly established itself as a dominant player in the space by providing hundreds of unique indoor farming products. With a wide range of high-quality products consisting of trimmers, LEDs, hydroponics, and presses supplied by some of the best US manufacturing brands in the market, the business has become a go-to for thousands of customers.

The global indoor farming market was valued at c. $26.8 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a 9.2% CAGR from 2019 – 2025. Revenues have followed an upward trajectory, rising at a c.156% CAGR over the 2015 – 2019 period. With c.380 high-quality SKUs sold in the LTM the business achieved an AOV of c.$1,500, creating plenty of cash flow for growth. Follow the link above to request a Prospectus.

Our new service offerings are continuing to grow in popularity including our 409A Valuation service for collateralizations, SBA loans, and other business needs. Feel free to get in touch if this is of interest.

For more updates throughout the week on the financial world of online business M&A, follow our team on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

OTHER FEATURED LISTINGS

  • Robust software in the LinkedIn engagement niche with an impressive c.30% CMGR over L12M
  • Loyal customer base with a high LTV of c.$511 over the L12M
  • Impressive business fundamentals with c.$353,000 in ARR as of February 2020
  • Lean and scalable cost structure driving high net margins
  • Notable client base including high profile technology leaders within the transportation, payment processing and CRM niches

Yearly net profit: $304,000
Asking price: $949,000

SOLD LISTINGS

SaaS – Website Building & Publishing Tool w/100K Users – $16K MRR

SaaS – B2B Online File Conversion Software – $4.2K MRR

Lead Generation – Rehabilitation & Self Help Resource – $36K Gross/Mo

Shopify App – Conversion Rate Optimization App – $1.4K Gross/Mo

SaaS/App – Parking Enforcement Software – $800 MRR