10 “Niche” CrowdFunding Platforms for Startups

“If your company fits one of the niches that has its own CrowdFunding sites, it’s worth considering using a specialized platform”.  Wiz4.biz

CrowdFunding Topics: Finding Funding, for Women, like an IPO, Equity-only, for Growing, Multi-Tech, Computer Hardware, Research Projects, monthly Membership model, D-I-Y Coders, comparing CrowdFunding sites.

 

Squeeze into your Niche
in Crowd-Funding !!!

When most Entrepreneurs think about raising money online, hopping on Kickstarter is probably what comes to mind. But, the big brand name in CrowdFunding has its drawbacks – most notably, that only 36 % of its campaigns get funded. So many campaigns run on Kickstarter these days, it can be hard to stand out from the pack. [But don’t don’t have a Pack Attack or a Panic Attack. Wiz4.biz, help is here]

Many good Choices. There are many alternatives, and quite a few emerging CrowdFunding platforms are specialized by industry. If your company fits one of the niches that has its own site, it’s worth considering using a specialized platform. Take a look at this list of the best of the industry-specific CrowdFunding platforms.

#1. Fundable (for finding Funding) [the 3 F’s] focuses on helping entrepreneurs, startups, & companies raise capital from the public. The site allows users to offer either rewards or equity in return for financial support.

#2. Women You Should Fund. Traditional Venture Capital tends to be a man’s game. Women entrepreneurs tend to get a tiny fraction of that investor money and they hope to do something about it. The site offers to help promote your campaign through its extensive Social Network. Many campaigns here have a Social Mission, such as improving Mental Health. But, there are normal business startups here too, such as the Cheese Grotto, a cheese-storage system that raised $8,000 for cheese-maker Jessica Sennett.

#3. CrowdFunder (like an IPO) This equity CrowdFunding platform allows businesses to sell shares to accredited investors. Crowdfunder has a network of 12,000 Venture Capitalists & Angel investors.

#4. SeedInvest (equity-only Crowd-funding platform) allows startups to raise funds from individual investors and venture capital firms. Entrepreneurs must meet their minimum funding goals before investments are made final.

#5. WeFunder (for Growing your Business) If you want to grow your existing business, WeFunder can help. Your investors receive a small stake in your company, and the platform aims to increase their emotional investment for your success.

#6. Techmoola (multi-technologies) hosts a broader range of tech projects than CrowdSupply (computer hardware only), taking projects in 3D printing, clean tech, electronic, software, biotech & more. Started back in 2011, it functions like the major player IndieGoGo and you can chose to keep whatever you raise, or make your campaign goal “all or nothing.” This is a big-money CrowdFunding site, with the average campaign pulling in $200,000 to $400,000. Bring your “A” game, only 3 % of submissions are accepted.

#7. CrowdSupply  (Computer Hardware)  focuses on funding CH vs SW startups. The average amount raised here is $66,000. It’s 70 % success rate has Kickstarter beat by 2x.

#8. Experiment (Research projects) for startups looking to fund Research projects in 20 different categories, from bio to computer science. Most goals here are modest [$1,000 to $5,000 or so) and many entrepreneurs are University-based. But, it adds up: Over $8 million has been raised, and 845 projects funded.

#9. Patreon (monthly Membership model) If your business puts out product monthly this is the site to explore. Unlike any other CrowdFunding platforms on this list, it lets you solicit recurring monthly support from “patrons.’ If your startup could thrive on a monthly membership model, you can earn big Bucks $$$ here.

#10. SelfStarter (for D-I-Y Coders) Attention techies: This is the platform for you; or as you ofter put it, “roll your own CrowdFunding.” It was built by startup Apigy, after the company’s own Lockitron keyless entry system was turned down for fundraising on Kickstarter. (and they got even !!! Wiz4.biz) If Ruby on Rails & Heroku are familiar tools, you can build your own CrowdFunding campaign here, to host on your own site. It’s open source and free to use. Goodbye, platform commissions.

 

10 key Factors in comparing CrowdFunding sites

  1. What is the Platform’s history?
  2. 3 Do they have Tools for tapping into your community—and theirs,
  3. Will you have your own Fund Raising page?
  4. How is their Social Media distribution to get your message out?
  5. How will they collect information on your donors?
  6. Does the Platform seem easy to use
  7. Is the Platform “flexible” to accommodate your unique requirements?
  8. What fees will you pay?
  9. What is the reputation of their Customer support?
  10. What are the Comments about this Platform?

CrowdFunding Quote

“Thru CrowdFunding, anyone can find a Startup with exiting Products. Forming a partnership with innovative businesses can be very exciting – with the opportunity to go on a thrilling journey with these companies as they grow, and hopefully share in their future success”.

Comments: Do you know any other CrowdFunding Platforms that you have been impressed with?

from Entrepreneur Zine 24 Oct 18 & many other sources by Peter/CXO Wiz4.biz

For more Info, click on CrowdFunding, Finding Funding , Fund Raising.

comments powered by Disqus
Translate »