As the global financial crisis crashed the world’s economy, crowdfunding emerged as one of the new ways to fund projects. With the overwhelming popularity of social media, people started using public forums to crowdfund their projects. Crowdfunding has been implemented successfully to accomplish nonprofit social projects, and startups are now implementing this approach for financing business ventures, too. A number of economists view crowdfunding as one of the key factors for changing the dynamics of the world’s economy.
5 Crowdfunding Websites
Here are five crowdfunding websites to scope out for your next project:
1. Kickstarter
Forbes listed Kickstarter as the most successful online crowdfunding forum. With more than 61,000 projects funded successfully, Kickstarter has become one of the most frequently visited crowdfunding websites. Kickstarter charges 5 percent of the total collected funds for every launched project.
2. Indiegogo
Indiegogo is another successful crowdfunding website. Indiegogo charges 4 percent of the total collected funds for every posted project and offers Flexible funding through which users receive funds even if the project has failed to attain its funding goal.
3. Crowdrise
Crowdrise is one of the few online crowdfunding websites that is dedicatedto fundraise for societal issues.Unlike other charity donations websites like GoFundMe, which also collects funds for personal needs, Crowdrise only works for charities and social welfares. The fees structure of the website is a little complex. Crowdrise charges 4.95 percent of the total collected funds.
4. Crowdfunder
Crowdfunder is another online crowdfunding platform that helps business owners connect with local networks where they can meet investors and other entrepreneurs. More than 20,000 business owners have joined this network so far.
5. RocketHub
Another crowdfunding platform that is gaining in popularity is RocketHub. The site has been actively crowdfunding small businesses, education programs, and government ventures; so far, it has funded more than 1500 ventures.
7 Emerging Crowdfunding Apps
Websites aren't the only space where crowdfunding is taking off. A number of app designers are launching innovative crowdfunding apps as well. Some of the emerging crowdfunding apps are:
1. WishBooklet
WishBooklet is a new crowdfunding app that lets you crowdfund your own personal needs. The web app allows you to ask your friends, family and acquaintances to raise funds for the gifts you really want, and the money you raise goes straight to your bank account.
2. ThinkUp
Designed by Dash and Trapani, ThinkUp is a crowdfunding app for nonprofit social ventures. Designers have launched the first version of the app, which has already attracted more than 40,000 funders and project launchers. The upcoming version of the app will focus on business financing and will be based on equity or a revenue-based crowdfunding model.
3. AppsFunder
This crowdfunding app is designed particularly for application developers. Through AppsFunder, application designers can collect donations for modifying, launching and improving applications. It features a selection panel which sorts and posts applications for crowdfunding.
4. SellanApp
SellanApp is slightly different from the other crowdfunding apps on this list. Instead of using a traditional crowdfunding model, business owners post their ventures online and offer a part of their product to sponsors.
5. GoFundMe
GoFundMe allows users to create fundraising campaigns for almost any kind of project. If you’re looking to just raise money online, for a cause, or even for yourself, GoFundMe provides a good option.
6. Lucky Ant
Lucky Ant is a crowdfunding site that focuses specifically on funding locally owned mom and pop businesses. Lucky Ant relies on a strong sense of community to successfully fund each campaign. Perks for pitching on campaigns include discounts, free food, and meals named after the contributor, just to name a few.
7. SportsFunder
SportsFunder is a crowdfunding platform for athletes, sport enthusiasts and fans alike. The idea for SportsFunder is to provide a vehicle for athletes to be able to use their fan base to help crowdfund their dreams. This includes all types of athletes from the amateurs all the way to the pros. If you're an athlete and you are looking for some money to help get your dream off the ground then SportsFunder is definitely for you.