Amazon brings its 'Launchpad' platform to India to support Indian startups

In a bid to help Indian start-ups to sell not just in India but also tap global markets, Amazon has launched its global program called Amazon Launchpad in India.

Last year, Amazon unveiled its Launchpad initiative in the US partnering with over 25 crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo, apart from venture capital firms, helping startups offer their products to the world on Amazon’s platform.

The US-based retail giant is doing the same in India now, having partnered with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion's (DIPP) Start Up India initiative, as well as NASSCOM 10,000 Startups, and Indian Angel Network (IAN), amongst others accelerator and incubator programmes, with the aim of identifying and enrolling startups that can showcase their products on Amazon Launchpad.

For a fee of Rs. 5,000 per month, start-ups can get access to Amazon’s seller support services such as account management, marketing and warehouse management among others.

“Amazon has always encouraged and supported innovation. By bringing Amazon Launchpad to India, we are excited to support the Government’s ‘Start-up India’ initiative and encourage innovation from the Indian start-up community,” said Amit Agarwal, VP and Country Head, Amazon India in a press statement.

“We hope that Amazon Launchpad has a positive impact on the economy by further promoting ‘Make in India, adding further impetus to the current interest in Indian Startups and also creating additional employment opportunities.” he added.

Around 25 start-ups such as Witworks, Leaf Wearables, Ducere Technologies, and Seventh Sense Technologies, have already joined the programme, the company said.

Amazon added that startups interested in joining the Amazon Launchpad programme will need to have a "promising, unique and ready-to-ship product" that is compliant with Amazon policies.

“Amazon Launchpad is an exceptional opportunity for Indian Startups to get access to big consumer markets nationally and internationally. Through this program small entrepreneurs and innovators can go leverage the Amazon platform to increase the scale of their businesses and even get easy access to global markets,” said Jason Feldman, Director Global Innovations Amazon.

The global programme, which is already present in seven countries have helped over 1,200 startups launch products, with over 4,000 products in storefront, Feldman added.