This post by CEO Bret Conkin first appeared in Investopedia August 1, 2016.
The go-to-market strategy for successfully crowdfunded product start-ups just became easier with a recent partnership between Amazon (AMZN) and Kickstarter. (For more on Kickstarter see How to Run a Kick Butt Kickstarter Campaign.)
A Kickstarter Collection is now available under Amazon’s Launchpad page. It features over 300 products under different categories and provides comprehensive marketing support and a global network to help ensure they thrive. As Kickstarter points out on its blog, getting an idea off the ground via crowdfunding is just the first step in creating a viable business.
Why This Partnership Works
The partnership creates mutual benefits for both Amazon and Kickstarter. Amazon gets access to innovative and consumer validated products, and Kickstarter is able to continue its product journey to a wider and streamlined market. (See also: Is Kickstarter A Viable Platform For Business Startups?)
“Working with Kickstarter is a great way for us to hear directly from customers what products they care about, since they truly hold the power to bring these products to life,” said Jim Adkins, Vice President, Amazon. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Amazon Launchpad on creating a new path for those projects to be discovered, experienced, and loved,” said YanceyStrickler, CEO and co-founder of Kickstarter.
What Is Kickstarter Collection?
The ‘Made on Kickstarter Collection’ lets Amazon customers discover over 300 Kickstarter products organized into categories, including Electronics, Home & Kitchen, Toys & Games, Books and Grocery & Gourmet food. Or shoppers can choose creative themes like STEM products, Always Be Learning, Exquisite Objects, Inventing the Future and Public Benefit. (See also: 6 Most Successful Kickstarter Campaigns.)
Some of the showcased products include:
–> STEM star Piper, a Minecraft-inspired computer kit for kids backed by 1375 people on Kickstarter.
–> Smartphone instant camera add-on Prynt, which produces high quality, printed photos in seconds.
–> MudWatt, a fun experiment that teaches kids about the natural world by letting them grow their own living fuel cell from mud.
What Is Amazon Launchpad?
Amazon Launchpad is a marketplace for unique and unexpected products from hot start-ups. Amazon puts its marketing and distribution muscle behind these start-ups to enable them to go to the market faster with valuable tools and exposure, plus world-class fulfillment and customer service. The program even offers access to an Amazon Launchpad Services Hub for help from prototyping to manufacturing to marketing.
The path to market for hot product startups has become accessible and easier. Firstly, build a prototype. Secondly, crowdfund on Kickstarter to raise the funds to mass produce. Finally, get your product on Amazon Launchpad, crowdfunding’s new Superstore, and access a readymade audience.
Image courtesy SmallBizTrends.
