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10 Kickstarter Projects That Were A Major Success

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kickstarter-projects

Kickstarter.com is a funding platform for new & innovative projects. Everything from technology, video games, art and music to movies.

Below are 10 of Kickstarter’s biggest success stories to date.

 

10 Highly Successful Kickstarter Projects

 

Pebble

Pebble Kickstarter ProjectNo list of successful Kickstarter campaigns would be complete without mentioning the Pebble watch. This sleek smartwatch connects easily with your iPhone or Android phone and supports the latest Bluetooth. It can tell you when you get an email, let you know who’s calling you, and you can even download watch faces.

They originally wanted to raise $100,000, but ended up with $10,266,845.

 

MaKey MaKey

MaKey MaKey Kickstarter ProjectThis cool computer interface allows you to use almost any non-computer related material and turn it into a controller. In the promo video on Kickstarter a man plays a dance video game using buckets of water, which has hilarious results. The product comes with alligator clips, a USB cable, and a circuit board.

At first they were looking for $25,000 but ended up with $568,106.

 

FORM 1

FORM 1 KickstarterTwo researchers from the MIT Media Lab decided that since there were no affordable 3D printers available they would come up with a solution on their own. They set out to design an “affordable, professional 3D printer” and they were successful.

Their goal was $100,000, but they were pledged $2,945,885 to help with the development of their idea.

 

 

Oculus Rift

Oculus Rift Kickstarter ProjectThis product is the ultimate toy for serious fans of video games. In the past virtual reality (VR) headsets have lacked the technology to create a believable 3D world, plus they are very expensive. Oculus Rift created one that “deliver a truly immersive gaming experience” that anyone can afford.

Their goal was $250,000 so that they could get their product into the hands of game developers quickly, but they ended up raising $2,437,429 instead.

 

Ouya

Ouya KickstarterPlaystation 3 and XBox 360 are both quite expensive and developing games for them also costs a lot of money. The makers of Ouya made their Android-based gaming console with this in mind. It is inexpensive, and their idea is to lure mobile android game developers to their product, because they already know how Android works.

Originally looking for a fairly hefty $950,000, people pledged a huge $8,596,474 to their project.

 

Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer KickstarterRecording artist Amanda Palmer broke from her major label deal four years ago and was looking for money to fund her new album, art book and tour. She put together a new band called the Grand Theft Orchestra and spent the years since writing songs for her upcoming CD.

The original number Amanda Palmer was looking for was $100,000, but she ended up getting $1,192,793.

 

 

Elevation Dock

Elevation Dock KickstarterYou wouldn’t think that owners of the iPhone want a dock to charge their phone this badly, but the makers of the Elevation Dock were counting on it. Other docks are hard to attach your phone to and move when trying to remove your device. The Elevation Dock works with phone cases and your iPhone easily comes out when done charging.

They raised $1,464,706 after only asking for $75,000.

 

 

TikTok+LunaTik Multi-Touch Watch Kits

TikTok+LunaTik Multi-Touch Watch KitsWhile many people have had the idea of making the iPod Nano into a watch, only Scott Wilson and MINIMAL have done it with materials and design that actually rival the sleek and stylish look that Apple is famous for. Now you can switch songs while jogging without stopping or leaning down in style.

Scott Wilson originally wanted $15,000 for this project, but got $942,578.

 

 

FlipbooKit

FlipbooKit KickstarterRemember the flip-book? Artists Mark Rosen and Wendy Marvel decided to bring back this old form of motion art in 2011, and it was so popular and successful that they decided to create a kit so that people could make their own. They hooked up with Disney imagineer and inventor Steven Goldstein to bring the product to you.

They originally asked for $5,000, but ended up receiving $137,567.

 

 

Brydge

Brydge KickstarterThere are tons of keyboards available for the iPad, but none match the look and feel of the device like Brad Leong’s. When attached to the iPad it looks like on device, seamlessly integrating with the tablet. Many popular newspapers and magazines say the keyboard, which also has built-in speakers, makes the iPad look a lot like the MacBookAir.

Originally needing $90,000, Brad eventually got $797,979 from his Kickstarter campaign.

 

As you can see, there are a wide variety of projects and ideas that do well on Kickstarter. There is no way to know whether you’ll get the funding you want without giving it a try.

 

Article By: Rett Fisher | Addicted2Success.com

I am the the Founder of Addicted2Success.com and I am so grateful you're here to be part of this awesome community. I love connecting with people who have a passion for Entrepreneurship, Self Development & Achieving Success. I started this website with the intention of educating and inspiring likeminded people to always strive for success no matter what their circumstances. I'm proud to say through my podcast and through this website we have impacted over 200 million lives in the last 10 years.

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Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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How to pitch investors better

Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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From Idea to Empire: 5 Power Moves for Your Startup to Thrive in Today’s Market

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that understanding market dynamics and choosing the right business model are crucial

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How to thrive in the startup market in 2024

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that understanding market dynamics and choosing the right business model are crucial.

A few months into the startup, I was quick to gauge why it is necessary to go beyond the nuances of operational efficiency and the art of sustaining a business amid growing competition.

Collaboration is key.

The HR and the recruiting teams work with departments to foster a culture of collaboration, but what’s indispensable to business performance is the sync between the marketing and sales teams. What we’d consider as entrepreneurs is the need to ensure seamless collaboration to predict and achieve business goals together. In turn, this will help secure long-term recurring revenue for the business.

Besides, entrepreneurs need to focus on revenue as they gear up to take their startup from $0 to $1 million. The journey is filled with critical decisions, from identifying your target customer base to choosing the right funding strategy.

So, what next?

Read on… because here are five practical, results-driven strategies that you as a founder can implement to make a mark in their industry.

#1. Embrace the Lean Methodology

What is lean methodology?

It is all about pivoting resources to create more value for customers with fewer resources. 

This principle encourages you to be more agile and allow rapid iteration based on customer feedback rather than spending years perfecting a product before it hits the market.

Want to implement it?

Here’s what you can do.

Build “Measure-Learn” Loop: What I did was develop a minimum viable product (MVP), a simple version of the product. You can do the same since it allows you to start the learning process as quickly as possible. After launching MVP, measure how customers use it and learn from their behaviors and feedback.

Here’s what I can recommend here:

  • Identify the core features that solve your customers’ primary needs and focus solely on those to develop your MVP.
  • Know the feedback channels where early users can communicate their experiences, suggestions, and complaints.
  • Analyze user behavior and feedback to make informed product development and iteration decisions.

#2. Focus on Customer Development

Let’s talk about taking our startup to the next level. 

It’s not just about getting customers – it’s about really getting to know them. We need to dive into their world, understand their struggles, and see how our product or service can make a difference in their lives. 

It’s like we’re detectives, piecing together the puzzle of our business hypothesis by actually chatting with our customers

What would you ideally do here?

Understand Customer Segments: I’d say, start dividing your target market into segments and develop a deep understanding of each segment’s demographics, behaviors, needs, and pain points. The idea is to get into their shoes and really feel what they feel.

Ensure your Product Clicks: When starting up, think of what you offer and consider whether it clicks with what our customers need. My thought was “Does my product solve their problems? Does it make their day better?” Put yourself through a tough grilling session to show customers the value proposition and ensure that the product’s promise matches what our customers are looking for.

I’d recommend the following actions here:

  • Talk to them – through surveys, interviews, or even casual chats. The goal? To gather real, raw insights about what they need and expect.
  • Use the collected data to create detailed profiles for each type of customer. This way, everyone on our team really understood we were serving. I think this should help your startup as well.
  • Try out different versions of our product with a few customer groups. It’s all about feedback here – understanding if you’re hitting the mark or if we need to pivot.

#3. Foster a Data-Driven Culture

The digital world is highly data driven since it fuels key decisions in a startup. 

I believe it’s essential for us to build a data-driven culture. This means, you’ll move from making decisions based on hunches or assumptions. Instead, the focus should be on data analytics and insights to guide our strategies and improve our outcomes.

What can you do?

Use Data Analytics Tools: You should be using these tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data related to customer behavior, market trends, and our business operations. Here, consider the adoption of pipeline forecasting that leverages AI to find patterns in marketing data. 

In turn, you’ll get areas for improvement since it can analyze historical data and predict the outcome for you to plan your.

Action Items:

  • Pinpoint key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your business objectives and ensure they are measurable and actionable.
  • Next, you can consider training your team to understand and use data analytics tools. This might involve workshops or bringing in experts to build a data-savvy workforce.
  • Once everything is in place, regularly review data reports and dashboards. This gives us a clear picture of a startup’s health and helps adjust your strategies and predict future trends.

#4. Strengthen Your Financial Acumen

A good grip on financial skills is important to steer your business towards growth and making sure it stays on track. For this, you’ll have to understand the money side of things, which helps you manage your cash flow. Think of figuring out smart investment moves and sizing up any risks that come your way.

Here’s a tip on how you can get savvy with your finances.

Maintain Rigorous Financial Discipline: I’m really focused on cultivating a strong company culture, one that truly resonates with our mission. So, I’d suggest fostering open communication and encouraging a sense of ownership and collaboration among everyone in the team.

Action Items:

  • Get to know your financial statements inside out – I’m talking about the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. These are like the vital signs for your business’s financial health
  • Use financial forecasting that helps predict your future money moves. With this, you will have a heads-up on upcoming revenues, expenses, and how much cash you’ll need. Also, research on the available financial forecasting tools that can make predictions spot-on.
  • Don’t go at it alone. Regularly touch base with financial advisors or mentors. With them by your side, you’ll have a fresh perspective on your financial strategies to ensure you’re on the right path to hit your business goals.

5. Prioritize Team Building and Leadership Development

It is crucial to focus on building a solid team and developing strong leaders. This means putting our resources into the people who are going to propel our company forward. 

What you’ll aim for here?

Creating a culture where everyone collaborates and every team member has the chance to emerge as a leader.

What I would do:

Cultivate a Strong Company Culture: This culture should mirror our mission and foster open communication. It’s important that it encourages everyone to feel a sense of ownership and work together.

Invest in Leadership and Team Development: As founders, we’ll have to make way for opportunities for teams to enhance their skills, face new challenges, and grow in their careers.

Some concrete steps that you should consider taking:

  • Begin with clearly communicating your startup’s vision, mission, and values so that every team member is on the same page.
  • Conduct regular team-building activities and workshops to boost skills and strengthen a sense of unity and collaboration.
  • How about starting a mentorship program within our organization? The more experienced team members could guide and support the growth of newer or less experienced folks.
  • Alas… encourage feedback at all levels. We should keep striving to create an environment where open, honest communication is the norm and everyone feels safe to speak up.

I know it’s one thing to get your head around these ideas and quite another to actually make them a part of your everyday business life. But that’s where the real magic happens, right? It’s all in the doing. 

As a startup founder, this means more than just being a big dreamer. How about rolling up your sleeves to be the planner who pays attention to the smallest details. Ultimately, these tips and more tactics around it will help carve a leader in you who listens and cares and the learner who’s always ready to adapt

So, as you’re either starting out or moving forward on this entrepreneurial adventure, keep these practical tips right there.

May these be your guiding lights, helping you steer through the wild and exciting world of building a startup that’s not just a dream, but a thriving reality.

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12 Things I Learned in 12 Months of Working on My Startup

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Image Credit: Unsplash

A few weeks ago I launched my startup. It took exactly 12 months from the initial idea until the moment I saw my app in the App Store. And these were some of the most challenging, fun and exciting 12 months of my whole life. (more…)

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