(Video of company’s products in Australia)
An Australian company that is setting up shop in Delaware will see its remote control LED lighting products offered in Staples stores.
EVA, which lists Wilmington as its U.S. home, was a winner in the first Crowd2Shelf Contest on Staples’ new entrepreneurial store at Staples.com/fundable.
The company has been involved in Australia’s effort to move households and businesses to energy-saving form of lighting.
Created by the Fundable crowd-funding site 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.
EVA was successful in its crowdfunding effort and raised more than $140,000. Investors received EVA lighting packages.
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, according to a Staples release.
“We’re proud to showcase our Crowd2Shelf entrepreneurs through our new online store and help them launchtheir 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.”
Other winning products and contestants include:
Folding Bluetooth keyboard, Jorno – Los Angeles (exclusive to Staples) Outlet-mounted Bluetooth music player
The Plug Radio – Hollywood, CA. (exclusive to Staples)
Smartphone-controlled lighting, Plum – Austin, TX
Secure tablet holder, nHand – Tulsa, OK.
“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.”
