Amazon Launchpad Wants to Support Aussie SMBs in 2021

Amazon’s venture, Amazon Launchpad, aims to support Aussie start-ups and entrepreneurs.

According to the 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Report, 78 percent of Australian SMBs will use e-commerce and digital tools for work purposes and help them work remotely.

Moreover, the report also found that most a third (30 percent) of SMBs invested in product or business innovation to reach new customers. A further 82 percent said they would lean into said innovations to further grow their businesses over the next 12 months.

As such, this initiative aims to provide advertising support to the five recipients. Winners also receive a $20,000 cash grant, a national advertising package with JCDecaux Nurture, industry mentorships, onsite marketing placements with Amazon and an ‘exclusive boot camp with access to Amazon experts’.

“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,” explained Chadd Ciccarelli, the Head of Launchpad at Amazon Australia.

Chad Ciccarelli | via Amazon Launchpad

Amazon Launchpad is a ‘unique program’, Ciccarelli explained, with a goal of helping small businesses and start-ups.

“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.”

This year’s event will give ten finalists the opportunity to pitch their entry virtually, which will be judged at Amazon Australia’s HQ. This year’s panel includes Chadd Ciccarelli, Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford – last year’s grant recipients.

It will also include Carolyn Creswell – the Founder of the muesli brand, Carman’s and Eleanor Ventures’ Managing Partner, Kylie Frazer.

“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!” shared Rosa Clare Willis, who won the grant last year for her DIY pottery kit brand, Crockd.

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