Is it effective to fund projects from crowdfunding platforms? + List some of them
Most businesses and startups rely on VCs.
I would briefly write it as follows:
2024/2025 – is the era of VC
2015/2016 – the era of crowdfunding platforms
BUT, I see how more and more (especially solo founders) are starting to get a little bitter that their VC did not accept their application, or they feel insecure that VCs will fund them, so they are going to do a bootstrapped strategy.
But doesn’t this bootstrapped strategy support the possibility of getting more involved in crowdfunding?
Do you think it makes sense to use these platforms (not only for marketing), but mainly for financing?
+ To add some value to the post, I will share at least 5 crowdfunding platforms:
StartLab – this one is Slovak :D
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If you're good with content, crowdfunding is a GREAT but very underrated route to drive on. Marketing + Funding + Buiding all goes hand in hand while on the other hand founders run after VCs and do everything to attract a good investment while deviating from the product.
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@sanskarix Tho, it is not easy at all. We are having a Kickstarter campaign as well.
Yes, you are absolutely right. All of us are just running behind VCs, but to be honest, founders should give it a try as well. Thanks
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@ayyaz_ali Would say that it is a less stressful alternative to VCs :D
Thanks for sharing Nika, this is definitely useful. Is StartLab only for Slovak startups? I saw that the website does not have an english version available.
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@viktorgems It seems that they haven't expanded beyond our country.
Triforce Todos
Totally makes sense. Crowdfunding isn’t just marketing, it’s also proof of validation. If people are willing to pay early, that’s stronger than a pitch deck.
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@abod_rehman The thing is that even that space is overcrowded, so you need to make a big marketing campaign for that funding campaign.
I like how you mapped the “eras.” Crowdfunding works great when there’s a clear consumer story, but I feel that for B2B or niche tools, it often makes more sense to bootstrap. With Escape Velocity AI, crowdfunding wouldn’t fit, but staying bootstrapped has been a good way to stay close to users and let feedback guide the product.
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@andreitudor14 IMO, almost every company wants to be funded, but that's all – just grabbing money and let me be :D
Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo now serves more like marketing tools. Not sure crowdfunding will make a comeback as financing tool in coming years.
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@christyfea Yep, too many projects, and if you want to raise funds, you actually need to grab attention – which requires money for marketing.
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@sheraz_abdul_hayee I haven't heard about that. Do you have any general findings about that one platform?