Several interesting projects with Indiegogo and the main differences between this crowdfunding service and Kickstarter
Introduction
The most famous crowdfunding platform is Kickstarter. The name of this service is familiar to a huge number of very different people, because many interesting projects are constantly appearing there, from computer games and music to unimaginable technical gadgets and fashion accessories. Some even use its name as a common noun, denoting all crowdfunding sites at once. It was thanks to Kickstarter that many daring and unusual ideas were brought to life, for the implementation of which it was almost impossible to find funding in the traditional way.
 |
Kickstarter. Ten interesting projects |
However, this is far from the only service of its kind. One of its closest competitors is Indiegogo – a rather unusual crowdfunding platform available in Russia as well.
The main difference between Indiegogo and Kickstarter is more flexible terms of project placement. While Kickstarter operates on an all-or-nothing basis, completely shutting down the project and returning all the money to contributors in the event that they failed to collect the declared amount on time, Indiegogo offers other options. For example, the author of the project can indicate from the very beginning that the project will be considered successful even if he fails to collect the declared amount. In this case, he will not have to return the money. Another difference is the ability to collect donations even after the project has been successfully completed, which Kickstarter also does not allow. In addition, as mentioned above, Indiegogo works with many more countries, allowing you to easily host your projects on it.
This funding system has both pros and cons. The most obvious disadvantage that immediately comes to mind is the greater harm from scammers and people who were initially unable to correctly calculate the risks. Kickstarter acts not only as a platform for attracting funding, but also as a kind of filter, immediately sifting out successful ideas from no one interesting empty fantasies. If a developer collects a lot of money for a project that is completely unnecessary and uninteresting to people, or simply asks for some exorbitant amount, then by the end of the fundraising he will be left empty-handed, having received nothing at all. In the case of Indiegogo, everything is not so clear, having collected some part of the required amount, the would-be inventor may well leave it for himself (of course, if this was originally provided for by the terms of the project), although there are practically no chances to do something worthwhile with this money .
On the other hand, with a strong desire, something similar can be arranged on Kickstarter. For example, some developers set the amount required to complete the project at the level of $ 5-10. Thus, after a couple of deposits, the project can be considered successful, which eliminates the need to return money. Or, after failing for the first time, the developer can go to Kickstarter with the same project again, slightly adjusting the promises and reducing the requested amount. And investing money in a pilot project is in any case a known risk. The fact that you like the description of a computer game or fashion accessory does not guarantee that you will be delighted with the final product.
Much the same goes for Forever Funding, where donations are collected even after the project is completed. Of course, this model has its advantages. The fact is, for many startups, getting funding is only half the battle. After the serial production of their invention begins, and the first investors receive their copies, the developers will face a very interesting question – what to do next? They do not have their own sales channels, they cannot afford huge expenses on advertising, and all specialized publications have already written about their project once and are not going to do it again. Such a financing model allows to solve the problem, at least in part, without letting the newly founded project immediately sink into oblivion.
Nevertheless, the minus is still the same – a dishonest or simply far from the realities of this world, a developer can feed people with promises for another year, simultaneously continuing to collect money from new gullible investors. After all, a successfully completed and seemingly already practically implemented project evokes much more confidence than a beautiful idea that managed to collect only a hundred dollars.
Of course, Indiegogo has its own moderation system, and frankly charlatan projects cannot be pushed through. The only trouble is that the line can be very thin, and even the developer himself does not always understand how realistic all his beautiful ideas and promises are. Indeed, between the first prototype and the commercial model there is a gap that not everyone can overcome without loss.
Fonkraft
One example of a controversial but popular project is the modular smartphone Fonkraft, which has already appeared on a bunch of well-known sites. Including news about him slipped through.
It was about a certain analogue of Project Ara from Google.
 |
Offtopic: Google Project Ara as an example of a modular smartphone |
Several basic modifications of the smartphone, many interchangeable modules, the ability to turn the base model into both a 'camera phone' and a 'portable speaker', a nice design – not a device, but just a geek's dream. It is not surprising that in the first couple of days the project was supported by more than three hundred people, donating a total of $ 58,000.
The only trouble is that few of them paid attention to the details of the project, which looked like sheer fantasy. To start with the development team itself, which, if I'm not mistaken, consisted of just a couple of people. Then – the amount requested for development and the final cost of the smartphone. For such an ambitious project, the developers asked for only $ 50,000, and for such a task it is even less than nothing. And the smartphone itself was offered to depositors to purchase for only $ 100 in the basic configuration and for $ 300 when purchasing all available modules. Just unprecedented generosity. The final touch is the timing of the release of the smartphone on sale. According to the assurances of the developers, commercial production was supposed to begin in September this year, and this despite the fact that at the moment they could not demonstrate anything except renders.
Three days later, the project was closed by Indiegogo moderators as too risky, at the moment the project page has been removed. Tellingly, the developers themselves consider this decision unfair and completely unmotivated.
Well, and the most curious detail – despite the requests of some very optimistic contributors, they cannot re-launch the same project on Kickstarter, since it does not meet the minimum requirements of this service. Apparently, we are talking about the fact that in addition to computer renders, it is required to demonstrate an already working prototype and list the list of already implemented functions. But on Indiegogo, they did not have such problems. And do not intervene in time moderators, it would lead to trouble.
Connected Cycle Pedals
Nevertheless, Indiegogo has plenty of much more realistic and equally interesting projects. For example, the smart Connected Cycle Pedals that can be fitted to almost any bike. First of all, they are needed for monitoring and analyzing the trip and act as a kind of fitness tracker. But besides this, they also have a number of additional functions. For example, they can help prevent an attempt to steal a bike by sending a notification to the owner's smartphone that the bike's position has changed. And then by drawing a detailed map of the route the thief took.
[iframe url = '// player.vimeo.com/video/126046310 ″ width =' 640 ″ height = '360 ″ scrolling =' no 'frameborder =' 0 ″ marginheight = '0']
A curious detail – the device practically does not require recharging, charging simply from the fact that the user is pedaling. And a permanent connection with a smartphone is not at all necessary, because it has both a GPS / GLONASS module and a cellular communication module.
At the moment, the developers have already collected $ 122,929 out of $ 50,000, they still have 15 days in stock.
Indiegogo project page
WonderCube
It's great when the device does not require constant charging. The only pity is that with a smartphone, unlike smart pedals, such a number will not work. Sometimes the battery is discharged completely at the wrong time, and the outlet or charger may not be at hand.
In this situation, the WonderCube keychain can help out – a compact accessory for all occasions. Firstly, it can be used instead of a regular charger, because it has USB and Lightning / MicroUSB ports. If a laptop from which you can charge your smartphone is not at hand, then it does not matter – the key fob can be powered from a regular battery.
[iframe url = '// www.youtube.com/embed/gJWyRwqHtmY' width = '640 ″ height =' 360 ″ scrolling = 'no' frameborder = '0 ″ marginheight =' 0 ']
The useful functions of WonderCube do not end there. It can be used as an OTG 'flash drive', card reader, stand and even a miniature flashlight. Or just like an original key ring.
At the moment, it has already raised $ 224,143 instead of $ 50,000, 4 days remain until the end of the fundraising.
Indiegogo project page
Flex Cam PIC
Another interesting project is the Flex Cam PIC action camera. Its main advantages are its miniature size, unusual design and flexible body that allows you to mount the camera anywhere. With the same ease, it can be either 'strapped' onto a dog's collar, or hung on the handlebars of a bicycle, a tree branch, or wrapped around an arm or leg – there are a lot of options.
At first glance, the idea seems stupid, but in fact, it opens up a lot of interesting possibilities. For example, the video below contains some very interesting and effective footage.
[iframe url = '// www.youtube.com/embed/Wg7wzxHKKsM' width = '640 ″ height =' 360 ″ scrolling = 'no' frameborder = '0 ″ marginheight =' 0 ']
The device received a 5 MP camera and supports shooting in HD quality, you can control it using your smartphone. The built-in memory is 16 GB, the battery life is about an hour.
At the moment, the authors of the project have already collected $ 118,184 with the required $ 10,000, the fundraising will take another 9 days.
Indiegogo project page
Night terrors
However, cameras can be used in more interesting ways. For example, the game Night Terrors will take you to a parallel world with the help of an ordinary smartphone, where your home is teeming with monsters. And no magic – just modern technology and augmented reality.
[iframe url = '// www.youtube.com/embed/ZQsyr4QX-GU' width = '640 ″ height =' 360 ″ scrolling = 'no' frameborder = '0 ″ marginheight =' 0 ']
The player's task is to find the missing girl who is being held captive by the monster. According to the rules of the game, it is necessary to extinguish all the light in the house, using the screen and the flash of the phone as the only source of illumination, and also do not forget to put on headphones. The minimum system requirements are a smartphone on iOS, Android or Windows Phone and strong nerves. The game is scheduled for release in 2016.
So far, only $ 30,296 of $ 70,000 has been raised, but the developers still have a whole 29 days in stock.
Indiegogo project page
