Amazon Launchpad New Releases of the Latest Products from Startups

Amazon's new Launchpad shows off stuff from startups

The storefront illustrates Amazon's continued hunt to offer up different products than its competition.

In its push to become the everything store for everybody, Amazon on Tuesday unveiled yet another specialized storefront within its website, offering up a new page focused on showcasing startups' products.

The new Amazon Launchpad page includes about 200 products from startups, including the Sphero remote-controlled robotic ball, a queen-size mattress from Casper, and a $300 Bluetooth speaker that levitates off its base, created by Crazybaby. Amazon teamed up with 25 crowdfunding platforms, venture capital firms and startup accelerators, including Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and Indiegogo, to bring together the set of products. Launchpad also includes assistance for startups to market and distribute their products, with the help of Amazon's global network of warehouses.

"As the pace of innovation continues to increase within the startup community, we want to help customers discover these unique products and learn the inspiration behind them," Jim Adkins, an Amazon vice president, said in a statement.

The new page is another way Amazon can make its online store different from other retailers to ensure customers keep coming back for its unique items. eBay is taking a similar tack, too, but focusing on its traditional fare of collectibles and antiques. Still, Amazon's latest program appears to be fairly close in concept to a page launched in March, called Amazon Exclusives, where the e-commerce giant has pulled together toys, sporting equipment and accessories from "up-and-coming" brands. One key difference between the two digital marketplaces is that an Exclusives product is only available on Amazon and the product maker's website, with no other retailers able to offer the item.

In addition to Launchpad and Exclusives, Amazon has opened an art marketplace and started offering its own line of "Elements" products that have included diapers and baby wipes, though Amazon quickly stopped selling the diapers to make improvements to the design following customer feedback.

Amazon’s new Launchpad store offers the latest gadgets from crowdfunding campaigns and startups

- Jul. 28th 2015 10:17 am ET

Crowdfunding campaigns and startups are pushing out some of the coolest gadgets in the market, but getting your hands on them is sometimes tough since these companies don’t have distribution and logistics locked down. Amazon Launchpad is designed to make it easier for these amazing products to get into the hands of consumers faster. Jim Adkins, Amazon’s Vice President, explains:

Amazon Launchpad gives customers access to a dedicated storefront featuring a variety of innovative new products from emerging brands. For startups, we handle inventory management, order fulfillment, customer service, and more, allowing them to focus their efforts on the innovation that results in more cool products.

The Amazon Launchpad Store already has more than 200 products from various venture capital firms, startup accelerators, and crowd-funding platforms. Some of which have been around for quite some time and others that are brand new.

Many consumers (myself included) are hesitant to back a crowdfunding campaign due to the murky purchase process and vague shipping timelines, but if you can wait until they hit Amazon Launchpad you should have a relatively stress-free experience.

This move by Amazon shouldn’t come as a shock, back in March the online retailer opened a similar store dedicated to selling innovative products from emerging brands.

Here are some of our top picks from Amazon’s new Launchpad store:

Kinsa Smart Thermometer: $29.99 littleBits Electronics Premium Kit: $149 Ube U1000 Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer: $89 Bluesmart Smart Carry-On Luggage: $349 Osmo Gaming System for iPad: $76.99 GrowlerWerks Ukeg 64 Copper Craft Beer Growler: $145

Full press release follows:

Amazon Launchpad makes it easy for startups to launch, market, and distribute their products to hundreds of millions of Amazon customers across the globe

Benefits include a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package, and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jul. 28, 2015– (NASDAQ: AMZN) – Amazon today announced Amazon Launchpad, a new program that makes it easy for startups to launch, market, and distribute their products to hundreds of millions of Amazon customers across the globe. The program offers a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package, and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, all geared toward helping startups successfully launch their innovations and share their stories. With Amazon Launchpad, startups can overcome many of the challenges associated with launching new products by using Amazon’s retail expertise and infrastructure to create awareness and drive sales.

“As the pace of innovation continues to increase within the startup community, we want to help customers discover these unique products and learn the inspiration behind them. We also know from talking to startups that bringing a new product to market successfully can be just as challenging as building it,” said Jim Adkins, Vice President, Amazon. “Amazon Launchpad gives customers access to a dedicated storefront featuring a variety of innovative new products from emerging brands. For startups, we handle inventory management, order fulfillment, customer service, and more, allowing them to focus their efforts on the innovation that results in more cool products.”

Amazon Launchpad offers participating startups:

Brand Development: Custom product pages help bring products to life through visually-compelling imagery and videos. Founders can tell their story and connect with customers in a personal way with Q&A about the startup. Products from these emerging brands are featured in the new Amazon Launchpad store, which is dedicated to showcasing startups and their innovations. Customer Reach: Amazon’s most powerful marketing tools – including merchandised placements, personalized recommendations, and participation in the Amazon Vine customer reviews program – give products from startups added visibility. Startups also enjoy access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, fast and free shipping with Amazon Prime, and customer service. Global Expansion: When startups are ready to reach customers outside the U. S., Amazon Launchpad can help them expand globally with cost-effective supply chain solutions and marketing programs in more than 10 Amazon marketplaces around the world.

Amazon is working with more than 25 venture capital firms, startup accelerators, and crowd-funding platforms to bring startups into the Amazon Launchpad program. Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, and Indiegogo are a few of the companies that have funded the more than 200 products currently available in the Amazon Launchpad store – which features everything from Electronics to Kitchen to Beauty items. Products from startups in the program include the Bluesmart Smart Carry-On Luggage, eero Home Wi-Fi System, Cuff DVB Smart Sport Band, Fenugreen FreshPaper Produce Saver Sheets, Electric Objects EO1 Digital Art Panel, Soma Sustainable Pitcher & Plant-Based Water Filter, Thync Mood-Changing Wearable System, and Casper Mattress, among others.

Initial feedback from some of the companies in the Amazon Launchpad program includes:

“Launchpad makes Amazon an ideal partner for the most innovative young tech companies,” said Marc Andreessen, Co-Founder and General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz. “It’s yet another way Amazon fosters a real ecosystem of invention and creativity.” “At Y Combinator, our support doesn’t end on Demo Day. With Amazon Launchpad, we are reinforcing our commitment to help bring physical products to a wide audience,” said Luke Iseman, Partner, Y Combinator. “This program will help our hardware startups get in front of more users than ever before.” “Indiegogo empowers campaigners to turn ideas into reality through customer engagement and funding mechanisms. By partnering with Amazon Launchpad, Indiegogo entrepreneurs gain instant access to Amazon’s powerful distribution capabilities and massive audience,” said Slava Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO, Indiegogo. “I’m excited to see how this unique partnership enables startups to accelerate their growth and share their innovative products with the world.” “Amazon recognizes the increasing importance of fast and reliable home Wi-Fi as consumers stream more video and music than ever before and connected devices go mainstream,” said Nick Weaver, Co-Founder and CEO, eero. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner and are honored to be one of the emerging companies in the Amazon Launchpad program. We’re excited to showcase our product on the world’s largest discovery platform.” “Amazon Launchpad is the perfect home for our smart jewelry. This innovative way to shop lets us tell consumers the story and philosophy behind Cuff, and hopefully makes them fall in love with our product,” said Deepa Sood, Founder and CEO, Cuff. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this initiative.” “I am an accidental entrepreneur – I never dreamed that FreshPaper, which started as my middle school science project, would one day be in the hands of farmers and families across the globe. But my unlikely story is only possible because of visionary partners like Amazon who believe in our product’s potential to change the way the world eats,” said Kavita Shukla, Inventor and Founder, Fenugreen FreshPaper. “By throwing their considerable weight behind ideas like FreshPaper, Amazon is using its technology and reach to make innovation accessible to all.” “The sheer scale that Amazon Launchpad offers a startup like Electric Objects is unparalleled,” said Jake Levine, Founder and CEO, Electric Objects. “Working closely with their team these last few months, I’ve been consistently impressed with the level of service and access that this program makes available. This partnership could be game-changing for our company, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to participate.”

Amazon Launchpad Puts Startup Products on a Grownup Platform

Amazon is an odd duck. For years, pundits have suggested that it’s not really interested in turning a profit, seemingly baffled by its stock price rising despite banking next to nothing compared to its revenue. Of late, the company’s grand plan has become a little clearer, and its newest initiative — Launchpad — provides a glimpse into its ambitions for future growth.

It’d be easy to suggest that Launchpad is simply a rival to the likes of Indiegogo and Kickstarter, but that’d be a slight misrepresentation. Unlike those two entities, Amazon’s Launchpad doesn’t give startups a way to raise money. Instead, Launchpad is designed to slot in between the stages of fundraising and distribution — a stage that’s rarely dwelled upon by budding entrepreneurs, but ends up being critical in a business’s success or failure.

In fact, Launchpad is actually partnering with Indiegogo, along with Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and a host of other venture capital firms and startup accelerators. Amazon’s goal isn’t to replace those entities — it’s to serve as a startup’s first and primary distribution mechanism once the proverbial sausage is made.

As it stands, getting a product funded is tough, but creating an e-commerce arm to actually ship, manage supply chain inventory, and market to a wide audience is another beast entirely. This is why so many Kickstarter and Indiegogo projects are funded but eventually falter. In 2012, just eight of the top 50 most-funded Kickstarter projects shipped on time, and data from late last year showed that “only one in five venture-backed products delivered on time, and it was not entirely uncommon for products to deliver three or more months late.”

It’s easy to craft an idea, and in today’s tech landscape, it’s relatively easy to find cash. Delivering is the hard part, and that’s why Launchpad exists.

Amazon’s global market reach is rivaled by only a precious few companies, and if you’re a hardware startup, getting listed on Amazon’s site is a very good thing indeed. If your project goes through one of Amazon’s 25 certified partners, and you actually produce a tangible product, Launchpad will enable you to have a “direct retail relationship with Amazon, enroll your products in the Amazon Vine program to get them reviewed, and merchandise them across Amazon. com.” Customers know and trust products coming from an Amazon warehouse. They’re able to utilize their Prime benefits to get items quickly. They respect Amazon’s world-class return policy. Suddenly, a startup’s wares are given tremendously more clout simply by being underneath the Amazon banner, despite the fact that Amazon had nothing to do with ideation or fundraising. And, perhaps more amazingly, this isn’t an exclusive arrangement; items that come to Launchpad can still be sold in retail stores such as Walmart.

Let’s look at Petzi Treat Cam, the first product to be distributed via Launchpad. The product was crowd funded on Indiegogo, and is now on sale via Amazon as well as in PetSmart stores. Once funded, the company’s owners had to fork out cash to produce actual goods to ship to Amazon, which will in turn offer them up for review and put them on sale through its channels. (Mind you, there’s no fee to participate in Launchpad.)

Make no mistake — there’s still a lot of risk involved. Launchpad requests that a company provide finished products to Amazon within 90 days. And if you ship thousands of wares to Amazon and they don’t sell, you’re still in the same pickle that business owners who miss demand forecasts have been in for centuries.

Still, Launchpad represents what I believe is a core pillar of Amazon’s future: “Get ’em young.” This is a no-lose proposition for Amazon. It doesn’t incubate, it doesn’t fund, and it doesn’t put up cash for inventory. But, due to its reach, Amazon is going to get all sorts of fresh products from fresh companies, some of which will evolve to become The Next Big Thing. Once a startup strikes it big on Amazon, chances are it’ll continue coming back to that same well, and Launchpad partners will undoubtedly funnel promising new products to Amazon’s pages for distribution.

Amazon. it rolls out the new Amazon Launchpad showcase

Today on Amazon. it customers can benefit of unique and innovative products’ selection coming from startups based in Europe and across the globe.

The new showcase makes it easy for startups to launch great ideas, and market and distribute worldwide their products to millions of Amazon customers.

Benefits include a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network.

Luxemburg, 27 September 2018 – Amazon. it today opens Amazon Launchpad, a new program that makes it easy for Italian startups to launch, market, and distribute their products to millions of customers on Amazon. it and across the globe. Amazon customers can benefit of unique and innovative products’ selection coming from startups based in Europe and across the globe: the new Amazon. it Launchpad showcase features hundreds of items in 5 categories to be expanded in the upcoming months with new innovative ideas, ranging from Consumer Electronics to Food, from Toys to House or Body.

Italian startups have a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network as well as to customer service. Products are also eligible to Amazon Prime and available to its over 100 million global Prime members. Startups successfully launch their innovations and share their stories. With Amazon Launchpad, startups can overcome many of the challenges associated with launching new products by using Amazon’s retail expertise and infrastructure to create awareness and drive sales.

“In Amazon, innovation is part of our culture and we get our energy from inventing on behalf of customers, including small businesses and entrepreneurs. As the pace of innovation continues to increase within the startup community, Amazon Launchpad enables startups to be recognized in Italy as fast as possible and helps their unique products to be discovered by millions of Amazon customers worldwide”, said Mariangela Marseglia, Country Manager Amazon. it and Amazon. es.

“Bringing new products to market successfully can be just as challenging as building it” said Luca Cassina, EU Director Seller Services – Marketplace, Amazon. “Amazon Launchpad is designed to empower inventors. We support with inventory management, handle order fulfillment, customer service, and more, allowing them to focus their efforts on the innovation that results in more cool products. In addition, it gives customers access to a dedicated storefront featuring a variety of cutting-edge items from today’s emerging Italian inventors.”

In Italy, Amazon is working with more than 10 leading crowd-funding sites, incubators, accelerators and venture capital firms to bring great products from startups to Amazon customers, including Digital Magics, Italia Startup, LVenture Group, Premio Marzotto and Talent Garden. Amazon Launchpad offers startups an array of services that help accelerate their business including:

· Brand Development: Custom product pages help bring products to life through photos and videos. Founders can tell their story and connect with customers in a more personal way, with a Q&A about the startup

· Customer Reach: Amazon’s most powerful marketing tools, including merchandised placements and personalized recommendations, give products from startups added visibility

· World-class Fulfilment: Startups also enjoy access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, fast and free shipping with Amazon Prime, and customer service.

· Global Expansion: Amazon Launchpad can help startups expand globally with cost-effective supply chain solutions and marketing programs in 9 Amazon marketplaces around the world.

Some of the Italian startups joining Amazon Launchpad are Powerme (charger for smartphones from another smartphone or electric device on the go), Filo (Bluetooth tracker to find wallets, bags, keys or anything to track), Robonica (smart indoor garden to grow herbs), My Cooking Box (traditional Italian specialties, convenient with all ingredients delivered to doorstep), Kamira (high quality and professional espresso “moka” machine for home) and 1Control (smart home device to open gates).

Nino Santoro is the inventor of Kamira, an innovative handmade and ups > Read the full story of Kamira.

“Innovation in the kitchen? It's in a box. And the Chef is in a box” says Chiara Rota, Founder of My Cooking Box, a 'box for cooking' with all the ingredients and author's recipe to make the best of Italian traditional dishes by ourselves, comfortably at home. Chiara has joined Launchpad and her challenge is to help the startup bring her products, perhaps unknown outs > Watch and Read the full story of My Cooking Box.

For Amazon Launchpad launch, some startups will offer exclusive deals with discounts from 10 to 20% to Amazon. it customers, including Dodow, (the device that helps fall asleep faster) Naptime, (a product that helps to relax) and Crazybaby (wireless sport headphones).

Since first opening its virtual shelf space to small businesses and entrepreneurs in 2000, Amazon has invested tens of billions of Euros in tools, services and infrastructure to help them succeed. Over 10,000 Italian-based businesses are selling on Amazon and one third of them export their products in Europe and around the world, reaching €350 million in export sales in 2017 alone. According to the independent research by Keystone Strategy Research, independent Italian businesses employ more than 10,000 people in Italy to run their sales activities on Amazon. More than a third of all stock in Italian fulfillment centers is dedicated to third party businesses selling on Amazon.