SEMA Launch Pad Application Now Open

The automotive specialty equipment industry is built out of innovation, creativity, and passion. To help further encourage new ideas, new products and greater advancements, the SEMA Launch Pad is providing emerging entrepreneurs and inventors with a platform to kickstart their businesses and launch new automotive-related products into the marketplace.

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

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

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.

APPLY NOW

Program Details

Compete for a Grand Prize 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 largest 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 - 1 Winner

Total Prize Value: Up to $92,000

  • The finalist, top five and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • $75,000 to be used for the benefit of your business Value: $75,000.00
  • 10' x 20' Turn-key Exhibit Space with Premium Placement at the 2022 SEMA Show* Approximate Value: $9,703.00
  • One full-page, four-color advertisement in SEMA News magazine Approximate Value: $5,885.00
  • Up to three hours of free custom scanning services at the SEMA Garage Value: $285.00

SECOND PLACE WINNER

Total Prize Value: Up to $27,000 (approx.)

  • Top five and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • $20,000 to be used for the benefit of your business Value: $20,000.00
  • One full-page, four-color advertisement in SEMA News magazine Approximate Value: $5,885.00
  • Up to three hours of free custom scanning services at the SEMA Garage Value: $285.00
  • 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: $360.00

THIRD PLACE WINNER

Total Prize Value: Up to $12,000 (approx.)

  • Top five and semi-finalist prizes plus:
  • $5,000 to be used for the benefit of your business Value: $5,000.00
  • One full-page, four-color advertisement in SEMA News magazine Approximate Value: $5,885.00
  • Up to three hours of free custom scanning services at the SEMA Garage Value: $285.00
  • 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: $360.00

FINALISTS PRIZE

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

  • The top five 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: $594.00
  • 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: $360.00

SEMI-FINALISTS

Total Prize Value: Up to $8,000

  • One-year SEMA Membership starting the first day of the month after being selected as a Semi-Finalist. Up to $2,000.00**
  • One-year SEMA Council Membership of your choice. Value: Up to $150.00
  • 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: $4,508.00*
  • Two non-transferable exhibitor passes to the SEMA Show
  • Two non-transferable tickets to the SEMA Banquet Approximate Value: $100.00
  • Onsite Lead Retrieval Tool Value: $490.00

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

Program Timeline

SLP-2021
  • Application Period: April 5, 2021 – May 9, 2021
  • Semi-finalists (15) announced: May 24, 2021
  • Voting Period: August 9, 2021 – September 10, 2021
  • Finalist Notification: September 24, 2021
  • SEMA Show: November 2, 2021 – November 5, 2021

INNOVATION REQUIRES EXPLORATION - Technology Timeline

  • 1886
    Benz Patent-Motorwagen

    Karl Benz introduces the first production automobile.

  • 1903
    Wright Flyer

    The Wright Brothers successfully fly the first heavier-than-air machine capable of controlled and sustained flight.

  • 1908
    Ford Model T

    Assembly line innovator Henry Ford introduces the first affordable automobile.

  • 1969
    Apollo 11

    Commander Neil Armstrong becomes the first human to set foot on the moon.

  • 2021
    Your Innovation

    Some text regarding the readers innovation or entrepreneurial spirit

Basic Requirements

  • Applicants do not need to be a SEMA member.
  • 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.
  • Semi-finalists Travel: 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.
  • Finalists Travel: 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.

2021 Launch Pad Host and Judges – Coming Soon

Judging Criteria

All Launch Pad finalists will compete in the live event where they will present a five-minute pitch to a panel of judges on their product/service. The contestants will be scored based on their performance in the following categories: People, Product, and Process.

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2020 SEMA Launch Pad Winner

Roland Hence, FrontLane, Inc.
Director
Roland Hence, Director of FrontLane, Inc. was named the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad with his product Impulse - Emergency Brake Light. The Impulse is a wireless, battery-powered, emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions by pulsing 8 ultra-bright LEDs under extreme braking situations to alert the following driver up to 50% quicker. Impulse can be installed on any passenger vehicle with a standard back windshield in seconds and has a 4-year battery life.

To watch the entire 2020 SEMA Launch Pad Competition Click Here.

LAUNCH PAD WINNERS

2020 - Roland Hence
FrontLane, Inc.
2019 - Ried Lunde
Owner and Founder, Kaizen Speed
2018 - Matt Beenen
Owner, Builtright Industries
2017 - Tom Burden
Founder, Grypshon Industries
2016 - Aaron Aldrich
Owner, Any Level Lift
2015 - Robert Vogt
CTO, Voyomotive
2014 - Ian Lehn
President, BOOSTane Octane Engineering
2013 - Jonathan Mill
Vice President, E-Stopp Corp.
Past Finalists Videos