Calling all innovative Aussie startups and brands! Applications open for 2023 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants

The third Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants invites Australian startups and brands with an innovative product and plans to scale their business in 2023 to apply here: https://sell.amazon.com.au/launchpad

Amazon Australia is calling for Australian startups and brands with an innovative product to apply for a 2023 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grant package, valued at more than AU$90,000. After launching in 2020, this is the third time Amazon Australia has offered Australian businesses the opportunity to apply for and win an Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants package.

Each Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grant package includes:

• $20,000 cash;

• The opportunity to apply for up to $10,000 in AWS Activate Credits;

• Substantial out-of-home support nationally thanks to JCDecaux;

• Support provided by third-party experts Export Accelerator, Podean and Airwallex;

• A ‘Selling on Amazon’ bootcamp experience over two days in Sydney, Australia, with flights and accommodation provided for those based outside Sydney;

• Featured Seller placement on the Amazon Launchpad homepage during key events such as Prime Day and Black Friday; and

• Marketing, PR and merchandising opportunities throughout 2023.

To enter, Australian business startups and brands must have an innovative product and plans to scale their business in 2023.

This year, for the first time ever, ten finalists will be chosen to pitch their entry in person at Amazon Australia HQ in Sydney to a panel of judges for a chance to win one of four grant packages. This year’s judges are Kate Glazebrook, Head of Impact at Blackbird; Amit Mahto, Country Manager, Marketplace at Amazon Australia and Singapore; and Lauren Capelin, Startup Ecosytem Manager at Amazon Web Services.

Finalists will have the opportunity to hone their pitch, receive feedback and network with some of Australia’s leading founders and industry experts, with flights and a night’s accommodation provided for those based outside Sydney.

Amit Mahto, Country Manager, Marketplace at Amazon Australia and Singapore, said, “Through our Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants we are excited to be able to nurture the ingenuity that Aussie entrepreneurs are so famous for and help the winners expand their businesses to reach more customers in Australia and around the world in Amazon’s stores.

“I’ve spent my entire career at Amazon helping sellers succeed, and I know firsthand the value of a program like Amazon Launchpad that helps Aussie startups and brands reach their online potential through access to Amazon’s customer base, opportunities to expand globally, and access to marketing support and logistics services like Fulfilment by Amazon.

“As the retail sector continues to digitise, we are proud to empower more than 14,000 Australian businesses who sell in our stores globally—and look forward to welcoming a few more this year from the Launchpad program,” he said.

According to Amazon Australia’s latest SMB Empowerment Report, Australian small businesses (SMBs) who have chosen to transform their offering for a global audience are benefitting from international expansion, despite uncertain economic times. 53 percent of SMBs surveyed as part of the report who export their goods increased their revenues in the year to July 2022, versus 35 percent for those who did not export.

Previous Amazon Launchpad grant winner, Rikki Gilbey from WAW Handplanes said, “Amazon Launchpad gave us the support we needed to launch and optimise our business. The ongoing mentorship for a small business like ours has been invaluable and has really helped us grow, both here in Australia and internationally.”

The Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants entry period is from today to Friday, 14 April 2023 on https://sell.amazon.com.au/launchpad.  Terms and conditions apply.

The four Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants winners, from across Australia, will be publicly announced in May 2023. 

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit Amazon.com.au.

About the Research

The SMB Empowerment Report research was conducted online by YouGov and comprised a survey of 1,556 small and medium sized businesses with less than 200 employees to examine the state of SMBs more broadly in Australia beyond Amazon Sellers. Interviewing was completed between 29 July and 3 August 2022. The report also included Amazon’s own data for the time period 1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022.

About Amazon Launchpad

Amazon Launchpad launched in August 2019 and highlights innovative, cutting-edge products from startups and entrepreneurs from around Australia and the world, making it easy for them to on-board, promote and launch new products to millions of Amazon customers. Participants benefit from featured placement on the Amazon.com.au Launchpad store, marketing support and access to Amazon’s local fulfilment network. Amazon Launchpad also gives Australian consumers a chance to discover and support local brands.

T&Cs

Full T&Cs can be found on https://www.amazon.com.au/launchpad. AWS Activate Credits are not guaranteed and are subject to eligibility requirements.