Applications for Amazon Launchpad’s Innovation Grants are now open

“Winning the Amazon Innovation Grant last year helped us to accelerate our growth more rapidly. The components of the grant, such as the mentorship, advertising credits and financial support meant that we were able to really focus our time and energy on what mattered,” says Rosa-Clare Willis co-founder of Crock’d and one of the winners of an Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grant in 2020.

“By the end of the Launchpad Program we had expanded internationally, completely re-invented our packaging, streamlined our distribution through Amazon’s FBA and of course, opened ourselves up to a new omni-channel marketing strategy,” she said.

Launchpad Innovation Grant applications open

Innovative small businesses and startups looking to replicate Crock’d success are in luck, as Amazon Launchpad has today announced applications are now open for the 2021 Launchpad Innovation Grants.

This year’s grants are delivering an extra opportunity for finalists with the chance to virtually pitch their products to Amazon Australia HQ as they vie for a grant package worth more than $200,000 .

What’s included?  A $20,000 cash grant, Amazon advertising support, an exclusive Amazon boot camp experience with access to Amazon experts, a national advertising package with JCDecaux Nurture and access to industry experts and onsite marketing placements on Amazon.com.

Like Bootcamp for business

Rosa says the Launchpad initiative is perfect for business owners who are serious about e-commerce.

“Consider the program a Bootcamp of selling online, not just on Amazon. You’ll learn how to scale your marketing across multi-channels, and develop a product that’s easy to distribute (through Amazon FBA of course).”

Rikki Gilbey, co-founder of WAW BadFish, another successful participant from 2020 says Launchpad helped their brand succeed during COVID.

“We have experienced an uptake in sales of the WAW BadFish beyond our expectations since joining the Amazon Launchpad,” he says.

“Our online orders and eCommerce revenue is up well over 100% on last year, and a large part of that can be attributed to joining Amazon. Not only through direct sales but also the awareness the Launchpad has created around our brand and products

“Currently our sales directly through Amazon equate to around 15% of our total eCommerce revenue, which when you consider we only launched on the platform 6 months ago is incredible.”

Helping businesses expand their reach

Gilbey also encourages other startups to take part, saying a real bonus of the program was the access it gave WAW to a global market

“Not long after joining the Amazon Australia Launchpad, we also applied for, and were successful in, joining the US Amazon Launchpad and we fully plan to expand even further into the UK, Europe and beyond,” he said.

“Through the educational aspect of the Amazon Launchpad Grant, we have been able to seek advice, listen and learn from some incredibly successful entrepreneurs and business advisors. Which were both super helpful and inspiring, teaching us to pursue new goals, innovate to adapt to change and installing confidence in our products.”

Chadd Ciccarelli, Head of Launchpad at Amazon Australia said more and more small businesses have turned to eCommerce to trade during the pandemic and Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants deliver a fantastic opportunity for Aussie startups.

“Amazon Launchpad is a unique program that helps start-ups and entrepreneurs reach their online potential, whether they live in Broken Hill, Tassie, or Far North Queensland,” he said.

“We hope that this year’s Innovation Grants will nurture the ingenuity that Aussie entrepreneurs are famous for and help the winners grow their businesses through e-commerce.”

Finalists to pitch to Amazon HQ

Ciccarelli will head up the judging panel at Amazon HQ. The 10 finalists will then pitch their wares to other startup luminaries including Carolyn Creswell, founder of the country’s leading muesli brand Carman’s; and managing partner, Kylie Frazer, of tech investment group, Eleanor Ventures and last year’s grant recipients Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford from Crock’d.

“We’ll be looking out for businesses that come from all corners of Australia,” Willis said.

“We know that a lot of small businesses had to get creative with their response to COVID 19 so we’re excited to see what kind of ideas were born out of the tough times.

“You’ve got to be in it to win it, and to any small business out there, whose wondering whether they should apply for a grant, I say, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!”

Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants open today. Applications close 11.59pm AEST, 10 May. Apply at Amazon.com.au/Launchpad. 

Five grant recipients will be announced in June 2021.