5 of IndieGoGo’s most successful campaigns
8 Sep
By IndieGoGo CEO and Co-Founder Slava Rubin
From the U.S. to Greece, the global economy is making it difficult for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to raise funds.
Luckily, though, the convening power of the Internet, social media, and online transactions have created a new path to capital.
With crowdsourced fundraising, anyone with a passion, business idea, or cause can post their campaign on an online funding platform to raise capital for just about any goal.
Crowdsourced funding, or crowdfunding, is a collective process in which people network and pool their money and resources together to support entrepreneurial efforts and personal projects.
At IndieGoGo, we connect aspiring innovators, creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs with the millions of people worldwide who want to be a part of exciting ventures. From kitesurfing to cupcakes, anyone can create a campaign to fund any dream or idea.
Below, I’ve pooled together some of IndieGoGo’s most successful campaigns.
Also, on September 10, join me and other entrepreneurs and funders at Get Funding ASAP!, a DIY Business Association Micro Conference. The Brooklyn event is designed for entrepreneurs looking for creative ways to take their businesses off the ground or to the next level.
In 2009, the Greek economy collapsed, tourism rates plummeted, taxes skyrocketed, and the popularity of e-readers pinched hard on traditional book sales. As austerity became the new normal in 2010, Atlantis Books found that its methods of importing stock and utilizing retail space were no longer sustainable.
Goal: $40,000
Money raised: $40,570
Where they are now: Instead of having to close because of financial issues, Atlantis Books is thriving and has started awarding past donors from IndieGoGo their “perk”—a stay overnight in the bookstore while traveling.
After nearly three years of trying to conceive a child, a couple learned that they have a one-percent chance of getting pregnant naturally. To raise the money to cover a costly medical procedure that may increase their chances of conceiving, they launched an IndieGoGo campaign.
Goal: $5,000
Money raised: $7,177
Where they are now: The couple has received the emotional and financial support needed to begin the procedure—fingers crossed!
eMAKER Huxley 3D printer kits: Affordable RepRap 3D printer with a proven track record
eMaker Huxley wanted to make 3D Printer Kits available to the mass market, at a reasonable price and with a guarantee of printing success.
Goal: $30,000
Money raised: $158,685
Where they are now: Between sourcing, printing and packing, eMAKER Huxley 4 has been assembled and commissioned, built from the same bill of materials that will make up each of the 300-plus kits sold during their first round of funding.
Emmy’s Organics: Re-designing our brand identity and packaging for the next big step!
Banks turned down Emmy’s Organics for a small-business loan. The maker of gluten-free, vegan, and raw foods needed capital to re-design brand identity and distribute through local supermarkets.
Goal: $15,000
Money raised: $15,326
Where they are now: Emmy’s Organics raised the money to change their packaging, and is now selling in supermarkets and making gluten-free eaters happy everywhere.
Awaken Café sought to make its space in Downtown Oakland, California, a premiere community hub and also showcase its green project.
Goal: $3,000
Money raised: $3,538
Where they are now: The cafe provides an example of the revitalization of Downtown Oakland. Awaken’s street cart opened in July 2011. The full café—a 2,000-square-foot location with indoor and outdoor seating—is scheduled to open in fall 2011.
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