Amazon set to launch Launchpad in India

Amazon’s India business, which is aggressively expanding its fashion and consumer products categories, plans to unveil its global programme for start-ups called ‘Launchpad’ in India within the next two months. As a part of Launchpad program, Amazon globally showcases consumer products from start-ups to customers through its online marketplace.

However, in India, the program will function slightly differently. Amazon will not just showcase products from start-ups but also from other traditional offline brands, as a part of its private labels push. The company has already initiated talks with a number of consumer start-ups and brands and has even finalised a few of them for the Launchpad programme. Start-ups and brands such as lingerie start-up Buttercups and energy snack bar brand yoga bars are among those that have come on board, it is gathered.

The companies that would come under the Launchpad programme will also get marketing support from Amazon, with it choosing to waive off any advertisement fee for the first three months. The Seattle-based company is also planning to launch subscription services for some of the FMCG brands under this programme.

The Launchpad programme is active in the US, where it exists as an online storefront that showcases new consumer products from start-ups. Globally, Amazon works with venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, crowd-funding platform Indiegogo and start-up accelerator Y Combinator to identify potential start-ups that can be brought under the programme.