Last year, in July 2015, online retailer Amazon rolled out its Launchpad portal, which afforded smaller tech companies an additional outlet to market and sells their products. As of today, the site has cooperated with multiple firms across several countries. The next step in the venture is to host a platform for Kickstarter projects, and Amazon’s current selection includes hundred of products in various categories, from entertainment to home appliances.
Kickstarter projects, while in development, rely entirely on donations from interested future customers. In return, donors often earn access to exclusive benefits once the project is fully funded. The downside is, Kickstarter does not provide advertising or marketing, meaning it is up to the developer to get their product seen by the public. With Amazon’s portal, sellers receive product pages, marketing kits, and access to a global network.
Amazon has already launched a campaign aimed at stocking, marketing and selling games from indie developers through its indie portal. The Kickstarter platform could potentially provide yet another outlet for small game companies and individual creators. Said Amazon vice president Jim Adkins, “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.”
A few of the companies now featured in the store include Piper, formed in 2014 and developer of a computer kit rated five stars by reviewers; Zivix, created in 2008, sold enough products to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower. MudWatt sells clean energy kits, and Prynt’s photo creation tools have now earned it over one million dollars in revenue since its original Kickstarter campaign in 2014.
Individuals and companies both who rely on Kickstarter way want to check out the Amazon Launchpad portal. And readers of this article may want to leave a comment and check out the rest of The Nerd Stash for game, movie, tech, and comic news.
