Kickstarter

The website Kickstarter is a crowdsourcing website. Kickstarter allows you to show people your invention and if they like it, they will help you fund it. On Kickstarter you have a time-limit to when you have to reach your goal but you can make your goal anything. If you are someone who helps fund on Kickstarter, the inventor will give you something in return. As a class assignment, we were given $500 (fake) to spend on any ideas in Kickstarter that we wanted to help back. Here are the 5 projects I decided to fund.

The first project I decided to fund was Revolights.  Revolights allow you to ride in the night with lights on your wheels. I decided to donate $250 to this project. Doing so will get me :

[THE YELLOW JERSEY] ... Receive a brand spankin' new, pre-ordered set of the finalized, CUSTOM Revolights! You'll not only get your lights before they are released to the public, but you'll also be able to cruise your Revolights in style after selecting the (legal) taillight color of your choice from our color palette. Your name will be added to the revolights.com website as a "Yellow Jersey Backer". Via exclusive team member updates, you'll also be able to access key project milestone updates all the way through your lights' shipment (+ rewards listed above - [THE GREEN JERSEY] rewards). Note: shipping to Canada add $20, international add $30 to pledge amount.


The second project I decided to back was Hot Cakes. Hot Cakes is a cakery that needs money to help finish the cakery so they can continue to make their delicious organic treats. I decided to fund them $100. This will get me:

Salted Peanut Butter Level: This is one of our favorite cookies we make so we want to name you, who is so generous and giving, after its amazing, indescribable flavor - much like our gratitude for your gift. If you pledge at this amount, we will give you a sweet Hot Cakes tote bag, 2 jars of our Caramel Sauce (your flavor choice), 2 of our famous Molten Chocolate Cakes in mason jars, a dozen cookies (of your choice) and a pair of our adorable Get Your Hot Cakes undies! What a package (no pun intended ;). *Shipping not included


The third project I decided to back was AIRbudz. AIRbudz allows you to listen to music and still hear whats going on around you. I would spend $15. This would get me:


With a pledge of $10 the backer will receive one of the first packages of AIRbudz in any color option and a carrying case exclusive to Kickstarter pledges. Add $10 more for each additional AIRbudz and carrying case you want (i.e. 3 AIRbudz and 3 carrying cases = $30). (Please add $5 for shipping to Canada and $12 for international shipping.)


The fourth project I decided to back was Hickies. Hickies is a new kind of laces that allows you to turn any pair of sneakers into slip ons. Hickies are laces without the bow tying, the knots and all the struggle. I would spend $100 and I would get:


NEON COLORS EDITION! KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE. GET 4 NEON COLORS PACKS: green/pink, yellow/green, pink/yellow, orange/yellow. (US shipping included, shipping to Canada add $10, international add $15 to pledge amount)


The last project I decided to fund was Stemrack. Stemrack allows you to bring your phone with you when you ride your bike. It attaches to your handle bars and keeps your phone,ipod,ect. safe and accessible while you ride. I would spend $35 and would get in return:

Custom Color Stemrack - You can pick the base and rack colors. Includes Shipping (AK, HI, International please add $5 )

Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing is when you use ideas, information etc. from the general public (usually via internet) and end up with a final product such as t-shirts,designs, etc.

One example of crowdsourcing is 99designs.com . This website allows you to set up a design contest. When you start your design contest, people from all over will send in ideas to compete for your prize. All you need to do is pick your favorite design and an award winner and you'll recieve the final design and the copyright to the original art work. 

Another example of crowdsourcing is istockphotos.com. This website allows you to find the perfect picture you want to use, buy it using iStock credits, and then you can use it almost anywhere you want.