Just within two weeks of its launch, Amazon Launchpad has received about 400 applications from across the globe. The global program was officially announced on 5th December in India with the aim to boost Government’s ‘Startup India’ initiative. The program supports growing startups by providing an established market alongside advertising and logistics support.
Out of the 400 applications received, 250 of them came within the first three days of launch. Most of the startups who have applied for this program are fresh and not more than 18 months old. Further, 60 percent of applicants have never before sold their products through online channels. The applications have been received from metro cities, tier-II and tier-III towns such as Mehsana, Hubli, and Thissur alongside international applications from Singapore, the US, Finland, Ireland and Italy.
Having witnessed such a positive response, Jason Feldman, Director Global Innovations at Amazon, commented delightfully,
We are excited to see the overwhelming response that Amazon Launchpad has received from the Indian startup community. We have been pleasantly surprised to see the creativity and enthusiasm from Indian startups and especially from those in the non-metro cities, so early.
We hope more and more Indian startups join Amazon Launchpad and make the most of this exceptional opportunity to get access to big consumer markets nationally and internationally.
Major categories of products received by the e-commerce giant include electronics, health care, personal care and grocery. The Amazon Launchpad store initially started with 400 innovative products ranging from wearable technology, smart homes, food & beverage, health monitoring, educational toys and more from over 25 Indian start-ups including Ustraa by Happily Unmarried, Chef’s basket, Chaayos, etc.
Some of the most significant benefits for startups partnering with the store includes brand recognition, market support, nine marketplaces, advertising reach, external PR support and world-class fulfillment service. Thus, the program makes it easier for startups to launch, market and distribute their products easily across India and around the world.
