SEMA LAUNCH PAD

  

Roland Hence

2020 Launch Pad Winner

SEMA Launch Pad Application Now Open

Do you have a functioning automotive-related product or service that is ready for or recently hit the market?

Enter SEMA Launch Pad for a chance to win a cash prize of $75,000, instant promotion for your product, support from established industry leaders who will serve as mentors, and more.

Roland Hence

2020 Launch Pad Winner

Program Details

Program Details

Compete for a Grand Prize Package valued up to $92,000

  • Grand prize includes $75,000 to be used for the benefit of your business, brand exposure, access to business resources, face time with key industry influencers and more!
  • The ultimate competition for entrepreneurs.
  • Takes place at the world's leading automotive B2B gathering, the SEMA Show.
  • Participants pitch their business idea to a panel of iconic industry judges at a live event.
 

Prize Packages

GRAND PRIZE

Value: Up to $92,000

  • The finalist and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • $75,000 to be used for the benefit of your business Value: $75,000
  • 10' x 20' Turn-key Exhibit Space with Premium Placement at the 2022 SEMA Show* Approximate Value: $9,703
  • One full-page, four-color advertisement in SEMA News magazine Approximate Value: $5,885
  • Up to three hours of free custom scanning services at the SEMA Garage Value: $285
  • One-year Tech Transfer Subscription (must qualify; the subscription is forfeited and no substitute or amount will be awarded if not qualified to receive) Value: $360

SECOND PRIZE

Value: Up to $27,000

  • The finalist and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • $20,000 to be used for the benefit of your business Value: $20,000
  • One full-page, four-color advertisement in SEMA News magazine Approximate Value: $5,885
  • Up to three hours of free custom scanning services at the SEMA Garage Value: $285
  • One-year Tech Transfer Subscription (must qualify; the subscription is forfeited and no substitute or amount will be awarded if not qualified to receive) Value: $360

THIRD PRIZE

Value: Up to $12,000

  • The finalist and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • $5,000 to be used for the benefit of your business Value: $5,000
  • One full-page, four-color advertisement in SEMA News magazine Approximate Value: $5,885
  • Up to three hours of free custom scanning services at the SEMA Garage Value: $285
  • One-year Tech Transfer Subscription (must qualify; the subscription is forfeited and no substitute or amount will be awarded if not qualified to receive) Value: $360

FINALISTS PRIZE

5 Competitors: Total Prize Value: Up to $4,000

  • The finalist and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • Invitation to pitch at the Live Event for one of the Top Three prizes held during the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas November 2 – November 5, 2021.
  • SEMA Data Co-op: 50% discount effective for the first year for the entry tier, up to 39 part numbers. Value: $594
  • If not one of the Grand, Second or Third place prize winners, one - ½ page, four color advertisement in SEMA News Magazine. Approximate Value: $3,055.75
  • One Live Chat talking about how you started the business and experience at Launch Pad.
  • One-year Tech Transfer Subscription (must qualify; the subscription is forfeited and no substitute or amount will be awarded if not qualified to receive) Value: $360

SEMI-FINALISTS PRIZE

Value: Up to $8,000

  • One-year SEMA Membership starting the first day of the month after being selected as a Semi-Finalist. Value: up to $2,000**
  • One-year SEMA Council Membership of your choice. Value: Up to $150
  • Complimentary registration to the 2021 Exhibitor Summit, 2 nights of hotel and travel reimbursement for up to $500.
  • Complimentary booth* in the SEMA Launch Pad Pavilion at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas November 2 – November 5, 2021 Value: $4,508*
  • Two non-transferable exhibitor passes to the SEMA Show
  • Two non-transferable tickets to the SEMA Banquet Approximate Value: $100
  • Onsite Lead Retrieval Tool Value: $490

Prize Packages

All award taxes are the sole responsibility of the award-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes. All award winners must complete a W-9 in order to receive a prize.

*No changes are permitted to the booth layout or location within the Pavilion. Company does not accrue SEMA Show seniority points by reason of exhibiting at a 2021 SEMA Show kiosk booth in the New Products Showcase area or the turn-key exhibit space with premium placement in the Launch Pad Pavilion at the 2021 SEMA Show. Company may purchase up to two (2) additional exhibitors passes beyond the complimentary allotment of two (2) exhibitor badges for use by company staff and/or spouse.

**SEMA membership dues are based on business type and annual sales. Maximum value of SEMA membership is $2,000.

*Please review the full Terms & Conditions for prize package

REID LUNDE

2019 Launch Pad Winner

Program Timeline

  • Application Period: April 12, 2021 – May 30, 2021
  • Semi-finalists (15) announced: June 15, 2021
  • SEMA Launch Pad Competition Finals: November 4, 2021 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas

Basic Requirements

Basic Requirements

  • Applicants: do not need to be a SEMA member.
  • Participation: The business owner, company's leading executive (i.e., president, CEO, CFO, COO), or vice president is the participant on behalf of the company.
  • Functioning Product/Service: The competing business must offer a product or service that is a functioning prototype, functioning concept, or currently for sale.
  • Exhibitor Summit Travel (15 semi-finalists): Travel to the Exhibitor Summit (Las Vegas, NV). SEMA provides event registration, hotel, meals onsite and a $500 Grant to be used towards flight expenses.
  • SEMA Show Travel (15 semi-finalists): Travel to the SEMA Show (Las Vegas, NV) at their own expense to exhibit and compete in the live event. The participant in the original application must make the business pitch before the SEMA Launch Pad judges. (No substitutes)
  • Taxes: All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.
  • Intellectual Property: A patent or trademark registration is not required but by entering the competition, the contest participant certifies that he/she has ownership rights to any intellectual property rights (i.e., trademark, copyright, patent, proprietary information) for the company and product/service being marketed, or authorization from the owner of such rights.
  • Residency: Open only to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age (except residents of Alabama and Nebraska, who must be 19 years of age or older) and who have a valid email address.

**Please review the full Terms & Conditions and Selection Criteria.

Past Winners

Past Winners

2020

Roland Hence

FrontLane, Inc.

2019

Reid Lunde

Kaizen Speed

2018

Matt Beenen

Builtright Industries

2017

Tom Burden

Grypshon Industries

2016

Aaron Aldrich

Any Level Lift

2015

Robert Vogt

Voyomotive

2014

Ian Lehn

BOOSTane Octane

2013

Jonathan Mill

E-Stopp Corp.

About

The SEMA Launch Pad is the automotive specialty equipment's ultimate competition for budding entrepreneurs who are ready to introduce their products to a worldwide audience.

While the competition has supported young creators since 2013, the age limit has been removed to make it easier for more participants to qualify. There's also more cash prizes, and more participants than ever will be featured in SEMA's publications and social media channels.

If you have a product or service for the automotive industry, we want to hear from you!