Amazon Launchpad offers Australian SMBs an opportunity to pitch to Amazon AU HQ for an Innovation Grant
New research reveals more than three quarters (78%) of Australian SMBs will use e-commerce and digital tools to allow them to work from anywhere
SYDNEY – 30 March 2021 – Twelve months on from the first lockdown restrictions across Australia, local SMBs are feeling resilient and optimistic, according to new research from Amazon Launchpad - Amazon.com.au’s program to help Aussie startups and entrepreneurs bring innovative products to shoppers.
The research reveals that 89 per cent of SMBs are feeling more resilient in running their businesses, 92 per cent feel optimistic for the year ahead and 78 per cent of SMBs will use e-commerce and digital tools to allow them to work from anywhere.
Commissioned by Amazon Australia, the 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Report explores the current sentiment amongst Australian SMB owners, how they’ve evolved their businesses over the past twelve months, and a look towards the year ahead.
To celebrate innovation by Australian startups, entrepreneurs and SMBs as our way of life continues to change, Amazon Launchpad has today also announced that applications are open for its 2021 Innovation Grants initiative.
Chadd Ciccarelli, Head of Launchpad at Amazon Australia, said, “Lockdown restrictions have fast tracked the digitalisation of Australian businesses with over three quarters of SMBs saying e-commerce and digital tools have allowed them to run their business from anywhere.”
“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. 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.”
This year’s five Innovation grant packages are worth more than $200,000 each and include: a $20,000 cash grant, Amazon advertising support, an exclusive boot camp experience with access to Amazon experts, a national advertising package with JCDecaux Nurture, industry mentorship, and onsite marketing placements on Amazon.com.au.
In a twist to this year’s initiative, Amazon Launchpad will give ten finalists the opportunity to virtually pitch their entry direct into Amazon Australia HQ, to a panel of judges. This year’s judges are Chadd Ciccarelli from Amazon Launchpad, last year’s grant recipients Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford from Crockd; Carolyn Creswell, founder of the country’s leading muesli brand Carman’s; and managing partner, Kylie Frazer, of tech investment group, Eleanor Ventures.
2020 Amazon Launchpad grant winner and 2021 judge, Rosa-Clare Willis of DIY Pottery Kit brand, Crockd said, “Not only did Amazon Launchpad open our eyes to Amazon as a marketing and distribution channel, but the program provided the support we needed during 2020. The mentorship we’ve received has been incredible, and we’re seeing our business grow on Amazon.com.au.
“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!”
Other key 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Report findings:
- The e-commerce opportunity: more than a third (39%) of SMBs said their customers are more open to buying online now than 12 months ago, four in ten (41%) have seen an increase in online enquiries about their business over the past 12 months, and one in six (15%) of SMBs made a sale online for the first time ever in the past year.
- It’s all about innovation: to help navigate the uncertainty of the past twelve months, almost a third (30%) of SMBs said they invested in product or business innovation to reach new customers, and 82 per cent said they will lean into innovation to grow their business over the next 12 months.
- Top areas businesses are innovating in this year: growing their digital presence (42%), taking their business into new markets (39%) and revising product offering (33%).
- Digital tools empower businesses for growth: four-fifths (81%) of SMBs will use digital tools to network over the next 12 months and more than two thirds (69%) will use online channels to seek investment in their business.
- What Aussie SMBs need most in 2021: businesses have rated access to new customers (47%) and support with marketing, advertising and social media activity (34%) over financial support (31%). Additionally almost a third (30%) said they need help with future growth planning and innovation.
The Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants entry period is from today to 11.59pm AEST, 10 May on www.Amazon.com.au/Launchpad.
The five Amazon Launchpad grant recipients from across Australia will be publicly announced in June 2021.
ENDS
For more information, images or to set up an interview with a spokesperson please contact: amazon@onegreenbean.com
Media assets – here
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. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.
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, market and launch new products to millions of Amazon customers. Participants benefit from custom product pages on the Amazon.com.au Launchpad store, marketing support and access to Amazon’s local fulfilment networking including Amazon Prime. 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
Research Footnote
Unless otherwise stated, the research included in the Amazon Launchpad Innovation Report was commissioned by Amazon Australia and conducted by McCrindle in March 2021, surveying 1,001