Staples Debuts First-of-Its-Kind Entrepreneurial Store Featuring Crowdfunded Products
August 11 2015 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Winning Innovative Crowd2Shelf Products on
Staples.com/fundable
The winners of the inaugural Crowd2Shelf Contest debut on
Staples’ new entrepreneurial store at Staples.com/fundable. Created
by Fundable and sponsored by Staples, the Crowd2Shelf Contest drew
thousands of startups across the country competing for a chance to
crowdfund their way to Staples. The Crowd2Shelf Contest was also
made possible by the business strategy firm Sprosty Network.
Contestants demonstrated demand for their innovative products by
gathering votes and crowdfunding pledges. A panel of innovation
experts, including Fundable and Staples representatives, chose the
winners based on votes, success of crowdfunding campaigns, and each
judges’ understanding of what it takes for a startup to be
successful.
The debut of the online store marks the first time a retailer
has used crowdfunding to determine market demand and social support
in choosing products to carry.
“We’re proud to showcase our Crowd2Shelf entrepreneurs through
our new online store and help them launch their ideas,” said Daniel
Reilly, Director of Product Design and Innovation at Staples. “We
were incredibly impressed with the caliber of startup product
companies that participated and are thrilled to offer our customers
these innovative new products to help them make more happen.”
The winning products and contestants include:
- Folding Bluetooth keyboardJorno – Los
Angeles, Calif. (exclusive to Staples)
- Remote-controlled recessed LED
lightingEVA – Wilmington, DE (exclusive to Staples)
- Outlet-mounted Bluetooth music
playerThe Plug Radio – Hollywood, Calif. (exclusive to
Staples)
- Smartphone-controlled lightingPlum –
Austin, Texas
- Secure tablet holdernHand – Tulsa,
Oklahoma
“We’re pleased to see the winners of the Crowd2shelf contest now
available on Staples.com,” said Wil Schroter, CEO, Fundable. “The
contest has been an incredible journey for each of these startup
companies, and given each of them the opportunity of a lifetime to
turn a great idea into a household name.”
About Staples:Staples makes it easy to make more happen
with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class
retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers
shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online
or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such
as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety
supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services.
Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North
and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More
information about Staples (SPLS) is available at
www.staples.com.
About Fundable:Fundable.com is the largest business
crowdfunding platform with nearly $200 million in commitments and
exclusively dedicated to helping businesses. Different from any
other crowdfunding platform, Fundable offers both rewards and
equity business crowdfunding options. Fundable is a part of the
Startups.co platform, the world’s largest startup launch platform
with tools to help startups and entrepreneurs at any stage of their
business.
About Sprosty Network:Sprosty Network is a business
strategy and innovation firm helping clients re-imagine technology
and the delivery of products, services, and experiences. They have
worked for companies ranging from Fortune 50 retailers to startups,
and bring a wealth of expertise in leading and developing consumer
technology, wireless solutions, and emerging technologies.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150811005068/en/
Staples, Inc.Kaitlyn Reardon,
508-253-4195Kaitlyn.Reardon@Staples.comorCarrie McElwee,
508-253-1405Carrie.McElwee@Staples.com
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