Amazon has announced the launch of the second Amazon Launchpad Innovation Awards. Following the success of 2021, where more than 1,500 startups from around 30 countries applied, Amazon continues to support emerging, innovative European startups by giving them chance to win a grand prize including €100,000 (£84,000), free access to Amazon Launchpad for one year and featured offers on Amazon Launchpad store.
The free competition saw more than 600 entries from British startups last year. A panel of expert judges shortlisted 50 entrepreneurs with innovative products – including 15 startups from across the UK.
WeWALK, creator of a revolutionary smart cane for visually impaired people, was named ‘Startup of the Year’ and won the grand prize of €100,000 in 2021.
“Winning the awards was far more than just the prize money, as we have been able to expand our business,” said Jean Marc Feghali, Head of R&D at WeWALK. “The advice and training from Amazon Launchpad has improved our sales and marketing content. And we’ve also leveraged on Amazon’s inventory warehousing and fulfilment capabilities to improve our delivery services to customers.”
On top of the grant prize Amazon donated £35,000 worth of WeWALK Smart canes to NGOs supporting the visually impaired community across the UK.
“We were humbled by the incredible number of products and startups attending this competition last year, and we are thrilled to announce the second edition of the Amazon Launchpad Innovation Awards,” said Aditi Singh, General Manager of Amazon Launchpad Europe.
“Since its launch, Amazon Launchpad has supported over 2,200 startups in Europe, and these awards continue to demonstrate our commitment to supporting emerging brands that shape the future and create new innovative products that delight our customers.”
Entries are open until 29 May 2022 to startups selling physical products to consumers. The winner will have free access to Amazon Launchpad for one year and marketing placements on the Amazon Launchpad store, as well as receiving a grant prize of €100,000, worth more than £84,000. The judging panel will also select the ‘Startup of the Year’ from each of the countries with most entries.
Startups applying for the award must be brand owners, registered in the European Union, the UK or Switzerland, and have fewer than 250 employees with an annual turnover lower than €50 million. The judging panel is made up of three industry experts: Andy Fishburn, Managing Director Virgin Start-up; Jamie Siminoff, CEO of Ring; and Aditi Singh, General Manager of Amazon Launchpad Europe. They will select products by their aesthetic, design, uniqueness and differentiation, but also social, ecological and economical sustainability aspects will be considered as judging criteria.
Learn more about the Amazon Launchpad Innovation Awards.
