Amazon Australia has firmed its support Australian start-up businesses and entrepreneurs with its newly launched platform, Amazon Launchpad.
Launching with 150 local and international businesses, the program helps Australian entrepreneurs and start-ups bring products to local customers looking for unique items from Australian businesses.
The program assists start-ups to overcome the barriers when launching a product to market by allowing these businesses to use Amazon's retail and digital infrastructure.
Some of the key features on Amazon Launchpad include:
• Brand development: Custom product pages bring products to life through photos and videos. Founders can tell their story and connect with customers in a more personal way, with a Q&A about the startup.
• Customer reach: Using Amazon’s tools for engaging with customers, including merchandised placements, and personalised recommendations, start-ups can reach a large audience.
• Fulfilment: Start-ups also enjoy access to Amazon’s local fulfilment network and fast, unlimited shipping with Amazon Prime, along with customer service.
Country manager for Amazon Australia Rocco Braeuniger said that the tool may give entrepreneurs more time to focus on product creation.
"We know that product creation is only one part of the equation in launching a product and that marketing, logistics and finding an audience can be just as challenging.
"With Amazon Launchpad, we have a program that will help ease some of these challenges for startups and entrepreneurs alike, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses and freeing up time for future innovation.
"Australian customers will be able to show their support for local businesses through shopping from a host of homegrown innovative products, all underscored by the convenience and fast delivery from Amazon.com.au," he said.
Cheif executive of Australian Made Ben Lazzaro said that the body supports the program.
"We are excited by the introduction of Amazon Australia’s Launchpad program.
"It has the potential to provide enormous opportunity for Australian manufacturers looking to leverage Amazon Australia’s growing ecommerce offering and expand their reach, while making genuine Aussie products more accessible to consumers," he said.
Amazon Launchpad officially launched on August 06.