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Editor's Note: An image for this press release is available here.
Suggested caption: Roland Hence, far right, won last year's SEMA Launch Pad competition with his Impulse – Emergency Brake Light. The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad competition is open to all qualified participants over the age of 18 years, and includes a grand-prize package valued up to $92,000 and promotional support.
Changes to SEMA Launch Pad Competition Designed to Foster Greater Innovation
-- 2021 competition for entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors removes age cap, offers bigger prize package, includes nationwide promotional support --
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (April 14, 2021) -- The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad is evolving, with eligibility now open to all qualified participants over the age of 18 years, a grand-prize package valued up to $92,000, and promotion for participants’ new products in SEMA websites and social media.
The SEMA Launch Pad, which was introduced in 2013 by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN), is a program designed to help emerging entrepreneurs and inventors launch new automotive products into the marketplace. Originally created to support young entrepreneurs under the age of 40, this year’s program is open to qualified individuals 18 and over. This year’s SEMA Launch Pad also includes an expanded prize package and cash awarded to the top three finalists, and dozens of other participants featured in video interviews that will air on SEMA’s social media networks.
“I am really excited about the future of SEMA Launch Pad and the entrepreneurship it champions,” said James Lawrence, SEMA Chairman-Elect. “The automotive aftermarket has always been home to fresh thinking and product innovation, but it’s never had a spotlight like this before. The expansion of the Launch Pad competition will only encourage even more entrepreneurs, inventors, and developers to bring new products to the automotive market. I personally can’t wait to see what’s coming for this next SEMA Launch Pad.”
To qualify, applicants must be a business owner, company leading executive (president, CEO, CFO, COO), or vice president of a company and must offer a product or service that is a functioning prototype, functioning concept, or currently for sale.
Fifteen semi-finalists will be selected in June to attend the 2021 SEMA Show in November. The top five finalists will pitch their products to a panel of industry judges at the SEMA Show, be recognized at the industry’s premier celebration – the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet – and be featured on SEMA publications, websites, and social media.
Applications to participate in SEMA Launch Pad must be submitted online at www.sema.org/launchpad by May 30, 2021.
About SEMA
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $46.2 billion specialty automotive industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. Association resources include market research, legislative advocacy, training and product development support, as well as leading trade shows such as the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, visit www.sema.org, www.semashow.com, or www.performanceracing.com.
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