The Best Crowdfunded Projects, Gadgets, Investments and Companies of 2015
2015 was the year that crowdfunding really become popular and 2016 will be even more popular.
There were plenty of options – from a business equity-funding to a Kickstarter for the latest gadget giving people a reward and return on their investments.
Here, we listed this year’s best crowdfunded projects.
BauBax created the popular 15-feature travel jacket which can do pretty much everything you need for the daily commute. BauBax has surpassed $10 million in total crowdfunding contributions and became the fourth most funded Kickstarter ever!
2. Giphy
Giphy is one of the most visited sites for best GIFs and animated stickers. It was able to raise £10m from various venture capitalists. Giphy turned to Alphaworks which gave it an opportunity to acquire more funds as it was being introduced to a more diverse crowd of investors.
And because of that, Giphy got more than £250,000 additional funds. Though the rules in the US regulating crowdfunded equity investment did somewhat limit who could invest and ruled out any GIF fans in the UK, a recent amendment to the rules by the SEC means changes with regards to that matter will soon be made – more people will be given the chance to grab a slice of the GIF-tastic opportunity if it arises again.
3. Pebble Time
Pebble Time, the non-Apple smartwatch, became Kickstarter’s most funded project. It raised over £13.3m from nearly 80,000 people, and the watch going into full production this year.
4. Kerv
Kerv, the world’s first contactless payment ring, was from a British company. The ring lets you pay for goods in the same way as smart wristbands, watches, or smartphones, but instead of swiping with a wrist, just wave a hand. 2,000 people were enticed by this innovative project and so Kerv achieved 143 per cent of its target – more than £110,000.
5. Greece
The Greece bailout fund captured global headlines after one Londoner decided to raise the funds required to keep Greece going. It was this year’s most unusual crowdfunding campaign.It did not, ultimately, achieve that goal of €1.6bn. It was rather high. But, more than 100,000 people did commit a still imposing €1.9m – showing just how much crowdfunding can capture the imagination!
6. Burritos
London burrito restaurant Chilango already raised £2.2m in 2014, and this year it came back for a second round. It had raised 343 per cent of the target which was £1m as it acquired £3.4m this year. It just goes to show the appetite for a good investment through crowdfunding.
7. Beer
Brewdog, British crowdfunding kings, also returned for a second helping. It was able to raise £10m – a world record for an equity crowdfunded project. Meanwhile these brothers are brewing a Nespresso-type machine for making your own craft brew with the help of Kickstarter.
8. Political parties
One rare project that raised money through crowdfunding was a political party. The SNP raised more than £50,000 on Crowdfunder to upsurge its funding ahead of the General Election. Now that is a new type of politics. This clearly illustrates that crowdfunding is not just for gadgets and companies.
So, 2016 is a new year and certainly expect more new innovatitive ways to crowdfund that new businesses.
Happy New Year to all 