Crowdfunding has become the go-to method for hot new tech companies to get their ideas funded and in the hands of consumers. Gone are the days of dealing with venture capitalists and mounds of debt: With the right idea, consumers themselves will fund your dreams for you — just make sure you have the capability to deliver your product in the end.
But crowdfunding isn’t solely limited to funding the development of new products and initiatives you think are cool. These days you can even pledge money to own a stake in a company, so if it goes big, you can potentially get rich yourself. Below are seven of the most useful, resourceful, and downright awesome crowdfunding platforms in existence. Just try not to post your product on Amazon before shipping it to your buyers –it doesn’t often end well.
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is perhaps the best known of all the crowdfunding sites. The site launched some popular products that have gone on to be hits, including the Pebble Watch, the Ouya game console, and even a Reading Rainbow reboot. Those looking for funding set a goal and then have a set amount of time to raise the money before their project expires. These entrepreneurs are also expected to entice potential consumers with a slew of rewards for different funding levels. The nice thing about the Kickstarter system is that it’s all-or-nothing: The funder’s credit card isn’t charged until the project meets its goal.
Indiegogo
Indiegogo works much like Kickstarter, but what makes it different is that you’re not limited to an all-or-nothing strategy, as it also allows for what it calls “flexible” funding. The site says this works better for projects where any little bit helps, and there’s less of a focus on actual physical products versus initiatives. What’s neat for the funders is Indiegogo’s partnerships with retailers. The site has deals with companies such as Amazon and Brookstone to help them manufacture and bring products to market. Some examples of past successful projects include the Jibo Family Robot, the solar roadways project, and an effort to teach kids how to code.
GoFundMe
For those looking to fund things that fall outside the gadget spectrum, GoFundMe has become a popular alternative, one that lets you raise money for social change and advocacy. People have used the site to raise money for families who have lost loved ones or personal property due to tragedy, to support disaster relief efforts and medical research, and even to set up a central place where well-wishers can give a newlywed couple a financial boost after they tie the knot. More than $5 million was raised to support families affected by the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting for instance, and nearly $600,000 was donated to support clinical research of synovial sarcoma, a rare but devastating form of cancer.
Crowd Supply
Perhaps lesser known than the aforementioned sites is Crowd Supply, which focuses on the more obscure ideas that you might not find other crowdfunding sites. Think of this one as the “hacker’s Kickstarter.” What do we mean by that? Some of the projects you might find on Crowd Supply include a French press made out of a mason ja, or a budged-based stick PC. If you’re looking for an uber-geeky or off-the-beaten path project to support, give Crowd Supply a shot.
Crowdfunder
Want to play venture capitalist instead of simply funding a project? A site like Crowdfunder might be up your alley. Instead of getting rewards for different funding level, you get a stake in the company itself. Now, this isn’t for the faint of heart, nor those who are light on the pocket. Unlike traditional crowdfunding services, Crowdfunder requires a minimum investment, which can amount thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. That said, if you pick the right project, the reward might be significant — so choose wisely.
Experiment
Love science? Then why not use a site like Experiment to fund scientific research? Like Kickstarter, this site uses an all-or-nothing funding model. If the project doesn’t meet its funding goals, nobody is charged. You also have a little bit of peace of mind in that all projects must be pre-approved. According to Experiment, anyone can submit a proposal, but before it’s placed on the site for crowdfunding, it’s reviewed to ensure the science is sound and that the project is viable. You’ll also be able to watch the scientific process the whole way, as project heads must make the entire effort completely transparent to backers.
Has it been successful? Apparently — more than 20 scientific papers have already been published in journals as a result of Experiment-backed campaigns.
Chuffed
Finally, if you’re a big fan of nonprofits, Chuffed is a crowdfunding site that you will definitely enjoy. There are no fancy gadgets here, just groups working on a variety of social issues that need your help. Like Experiment, anyone can submit their project for crowdfunding purposes, but Chuffed has an interesting way of doing it. The site asks for the pitch to be 50 words or less, and if they like it, they’ll approve it for crowdfunding. This also gives funders some piece of mind. After all, if the project head can describe what they’re doing succinctly, there is a better chance they’re serious about their effort.
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