Just five years later, that number grew to $34 billion. In 2010, the crowdfunding industry generated $89 million in project funding. The popularity of crowdfunding has risen exponentially in the last few years - it’s actually surpassed the venture capital industry as the most popular type of startup funding. The two main types of crowdfunding are reward-based (like Kickstarter) and equity-based (where backers receive equity in the company). However, the term “crowdfunding” itself has only been around for a little over a decade. A Brief History of CrowdfundingĬrowdfunding as a concept has its roots in such areas as book publishing and military campaigns. That said, if you have the drive and the talent, Kickstarter can help with the rest. You need to have a clear vision for developing a product or service that people truly want. Just signing up for Kickstarter isn’t enough, though. Kickstarter’s campaign model has two major benefits: it gives you a platform to share your idea with the world, and helps you secure the funding necessary to make it happen. Kickstarter launched back in 2009, and since then they’ve helped creatives like you land nearly $2 billion in project funding. Let’s get started! What Is Kickstarter and How Can It Help Me? By the time we’re through, you’ll know whether or not Kickstarter is the right option for you, and how to use the platform to develop your project. In this Kickstarter guide, I’ll discuss the common traits of successful campaigns, along with some common mistakes. With Kickstarter, you can crowdsource funding from backers around the world, allowing you to achieve your dreams without generating all of the seed money yourself.
Whether you’re a programmer with a genius tech concept, or an artist looking to put your life’s work into print, Kickstarter could be the perfect fit for you. Do you have a great idea for a creative project, but lack the funds to make it happen?