Do you have a creative idea that needs funding? Are you interested in supporting the start-up efforts of others, or want to track their progress? Here is a website that we discovered that has a very unique approach: Kickstarter.
Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors. The website was created with the belief that…
• A good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide.
• A large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement.
Kickstarter is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. Project creators inspire people to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, and tangible rewards (products, benefits, and experiences). Kickstarter projects are efforts by real people to do something they love, something fun, or at least something of note. These stories unfold through blog posts, pics, and videos as people bring their ideas to life. The idea isn’t about investing. Project creators keep 100% ownership.
The creators of Kickstarter say that it is focused on creative ideas and ambitious endeavors and provides a great way for artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, writers, illustrators, explorers, curators, performers, and others to bring their projects, events, and dreams to life. Kickstarter is not a place for soliciting donations to causes, charity projects, general business expenses, or raising funds without a specific goal. Learn more about our project guidelines.
To start a project, people submit a proposal through the Starting a Project page. Kickstarter is focused exclusively on creative projects, and theyreview proposals to make sure they meet their guidelines. Projects can be big or small, practical or whimsical, but they must be creative projects. Charity fundraising, business expenses, and “fund my life”-type projects are not appropriate for Kickstarter.
Every project has a funding goal (any dollar amount) and a time limit (from 1 – 90 days) set by the project creator. When the deadline is reached, there are either of two results:
1. Funding Successful: If a project has met or surpassed its funding goal, all backers’ credit cards are instantly charged and funds go directly to the project creator. Project creators are then responsible for completing the project and delivering rewards as promised.
2. Funding Unsuccessful: If a project has NOT met its funding goal, all pledges are canceled. That’s it.
For more information, please visit Kickstarter or take a peek at a project that has already been posted on the site.
