Last summer, Ryan saw a Kickstarter project for a new toy that he really wanted. Before I tell you all about it, I want to tell you about a crowd-funding platform called Kickstarter.
Here's how it works: someone comes up with an invention or product and makes one or more prototypes. They make a video explaining why they need your help to fund mass production of their product – maybe they need to buy plastic injection molds or other fancy tooling before they can sell it to the masses. On their Kickstarter page, they tell you what you will get if you make donations of varying amounts. Here's an example, showing the rewards for a product called SolePower (click the pic to see their Kickstarter project):
Each Kickstarter project has to identify the length of time they will run the project (up to the maximum allowed by Kickstarter) and the amount of funding they want to raise. When you agree to pledge money, you are not actually charged that amount until after the project is over. If the project gets fully funded (IE enough people pledge money to get to the amount they said they needed to raise), then the project gets all the money and you get billed for the amount you pledged. If the project doesn’t get enough funding pledged, then they don’t get ANY money and you are never charged.
Assuming the project you backed gets fully funded, you will get a notification from the project creators telling you they got funded and providing details about when you can expect to receive the rewards or items in exchange for your donation/pledge. Then all you have to do is just wait for them to send your items! I haven’t really heard of many people who never got their items but I suppose that is still a risk (not sure you can contest the charge for never getting your items).
So far, I’ve only backed one project (a really awesome Umoro One water bottle, shown below) and I’m waiting until I receive it before I decide to back any other projects. The original estimate was that they would ship in May but they’ve had a lot of delays in the tooling – they send out email updates to let all their Kickstarter backers know what’s going on and when they can expect their water bottles. One of the big advantages of backing a Kickstarter project rather than wait until the product goes to market, is that they typically offer the product at a significant discount compared to what it will sell for once it goes to market.
So far, I’ve only backed one project (a really awesome Umoro One water bottle, shown below) and I’m waiting until I receive it before I decide to back any other projects. The original estimate was that they would ship in May but they’ve had a lot of delays in the tooling – they send out email updates to let all their Kickstarter backers know what’s going on and when they can expect their water bottles. One of the big advantages of backing a Kickstarter project rather than wait until the product goes to market, is that they typically offer the product at a significant discount compared to what it will sell for once it goes to market.
There are tons of items on Kickstarter in all different categories: watches, wallets, clothing, kitchen gadgets, electronics, art, educational materials, comic books, movies/entertainment…the possibilities are endless! Here are a few projects going on right now that looked pretty neat to me:
For more information about starting a Kickstarter project, backing a Kicstarter project or any questions, visit Kickstarter’s Website. Stay tuned to see what new toy Ryan got from a Kickstarter project!
Disclaimer: I do not receive any free products or compensation for reviews on my blog. The opinions expressed are solely my own and have not been influenced or approved by the owner/manufacturer of reviewed items.
Disclaimer: I do not receive any free products or compensation for reviews on my blog. The opinions expressed are solely my own and have not been influenced or approved by the owner/manufacturer of reviewed items.
