Explore the Most Successful Kickstarter Projects of All Time
Welcome to the world of crowdfunding, where dreams and groundbreaking ideas turn into reality. Over the years, Kickstarter has become a platform that has revolutionized the way we think about funding and supporting projects. And as Kickstarter continues to grow, so does the success of its campaigns.
In this article, we explore the most successful Kickstarter projects of all time, from groundbreaking smartwatch technology to innovative gaming consoles, to card games that broke records.
We’ll take a closer look at how these projects came to fruition, what made them successful, and how they impacted their respective industries. So, let’s dive in and celebrate the top Kickstarter projects that have made their mark in history.
The Coolest Cooler: A Crowdfunding Phenomenon
The Coolest Cooler is not just any cooler, but a cooler that is packed with features that make it the perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts. This cooler comes with a built-in blender, USB ports for charging devices, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, and much more. The Coolest Cooler created a stir when it launched on Kickstarter, raising over $13 million in funding from over 62,000 backers.
The idea for the Coolest Cooler first came to light in 2013 when creator Ryan Grepper launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking funding for his dream project. The first campaign, which required $125,000 in funding, failed to meet its target. However, Grepper persisted, reworked his design and launched the campaign again in 2014. Within hours of the second campaign’s launch, the project had already raised $2 million.
The Features of the Coolest Cooler
The Coolest Cooler is made from durable polypropylene built to withstand a variety of outdoor activities. It comes with a range of impressive features that include:
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Built-In Blender | The Coolest Cooler has a built-in blender that is powerful enough to crush ice and blend drinks to perfection. |
| Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker | The cooler comes with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that allows you to enjoy music while you’re on the go. |
| USB Ports for Charging Devices | The Coolest Cooler has two USB ports that allow you to charge your devices while you’re out and about. |
| LED Light | The cooler has an LED light that makes it easy to find what you need, even in the dark. |
| Bottle Opener | The Coolest Cooler comes with a bottle opener that is conveniently attached to the unit. |
The Coolest Cooler’s innovative design and range of features helped it become a crowdfunding phenomenon. The project went on to break the record for the most funds raised by a Kickstarter campaign at the time. Today, The Coolest Cooler is still going strong, with over 60,000 units sold to date.
Exploring Pebble Time: The Smartwatch Revolution
Pebble Time is a project that disrupted the smartwatch industry through Kickstarter. It was launched in 2012, and it raised a staggering $20.3 million from more than 78,000 backers, making it one of the most successful Kickstarter projects of all time.
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Always-on display | 1.25-inch color e-paper display |
| Voice control | Built-in microphone and dictation feature |
| Water resistance | Up to 30 meters depth |
| 7-day battery life | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Thousands of Apps | Compatible with both Android and iOS |
The Pebble Time project was launched by Eric Migicovsky, who wanted to create a smartwatch that was affordable, customizable, and could display notifications from a user’s smartphone. The watch was designed to be simple, yet functional, with a long battery life, and an always-on display that was easy to read in bright sunlight. It also had a unique timeline feature that made it easy to scroll through notifications, reminders, and calendar events.
The overwhelming support from backers enabled Pebble to create not just one smartwatch, but a whole series of them. The success of the Pebble Time project also pushed other companies to create their own smartwatches, which helped to revolutionize the industry.
Pebble Time kickstarted the smartwatch era, and its features continue to inspire and influence the devices we use today.
Ouya: Gaming Console Reinvented
Ouya was a gaming console that was created to challenge the traditional gaming industry. The idea behind Ouya was to make gaming accessible to everyone and provide a platform for indie game developers to showcase their talent.
The project was launched on Kickstarter in July 2012, with a goal of raising $950,000. It gained immense popularity and was able to raise a staggering $8.6 million from over 63,000 backers.
The Ouya console was built on Android and was designed to be affordable, user-friendly, and highly customizable. It allowed gamers to play their favorite games on their TV, using a wireless controller that came with the console.
| Key Features of Ouya | Benefits for Gamers |
|---|---|
| Open Platform for Developers | Access to a Wide Range of Games |
| Free-To-Play Model | Ability to Try Games Before Buying Them |
| Highly Customizable | Personalized Gaming Experience |
The Ouya console was shipped to backers in March 2013 and was made available to the general public in June of the same year. It received mixed reviews from critics, but its affordable price point and open platform for developers were praised.
Despite its initial success, Ouya faced several challenges, including low sales and difficulty in attracting major game developers to its platform. The company was eventually acquired by Razer Inc. in 2015, and the Ouya console was discontinued.
However, the impact of Ouya on the gaming industry is undeniable. It paved the way for other crowdfunding projects that aimed to disrupt traditional industries and demonstrated the potential of crowd-funding in making innovative ideas a reality.
Exploding Kittens: A Card Game Sensation
Exploding Kittens is a card game created by former Xbox game designers and illustrated by Matthew Inman, the artist behind The Oatmeal webcomic. The game was launched on Kickstarter in 2015, and within days, it became a viral sensation, surpassing its funding goal of $10,000 within the first few minutes of the campaign.
The concept of the game is simple. Players draw cards from a deck, and if they draw an exploding kitten card, they’re out of the game – unless they have a defuse card to defuse the kitten. The game is filled with quirky illustrations and humorous card descriptions, making it appealing to a wide audience.
Exploding Kittens became one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of all time, reaching a total of $8.8 million in funding. It broke several Kickstarter records, including the most-backed project in Kickstarter history and the project with the most backers outside of the United States.
What Made Exploding Kittens So Successful?
There are a few reasons why Exploding Kittens was such a massive success. First, it had a unique and compelling concept that appealed to a broad audience. The game’s creators used humor and fun illustrations to create a brand that resonated with people.
Second, the creators of the game had a strong following on social media and leveraged their influence to promote the game. They used platforms like Twitter and Instagram to reach potential backers and build excitement around the project.
Finally, Exploding Kittens leveraged the power of the Kickstarter platform to launch its campaign. The platform provided a built-in audience of backers who were interested in funding innovative and unique projects. By tapping into this community, Exploding Kittens was able to gain momentum and achieve massive success.
The Veronica Mars Movie Project: A Fan-Fueled Success
The Veronica Mars Movie Project is a prime example of the power of fan communities to support creative projects. In 2013, after the TV show Veronica Mars was cancelled, series creator Rob Thomas and star Kristen Bell launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a Veronica Mars movie. The campaign exceeded its $2 million goal in less than 24 hours and went on to become one of the highest-funded projects in Kickstarter history.
The campaign’s success was due in large part to the passion and dedication of the show’s fans, who rallied around the project and spread the word through social media. With the support of the show’s creators and cast members, the campaign generated widespread excitement and anticipation for the movie.
The Veronica Mars Movie Project represents a new era in entertainment, where fans have a direct say in the content they want to see. By using crowdfunding to bring the movie to life, creators were able to bypass the traditional Hollywood system and give the fans what they wanted. The success of the campaign paved the way for other fan-driven projects on Kickstarter and demonstrated the potential for crowdfunding to revolutionize the entertainment industry.
FAQ About Successful Kickstarter Projects
Are there any specific criteria for a Kickstarter project to be successful?
While there is no set formula for success on Kickstarter, some common characteristics of successful campaigns include a clear and compelling project concept, high-quality visuals and marketing materials, and a well-planned funding goal and timeline.
What challenges do project creators face during a Kickstarter campaign?
Project creators may face a variety of challenges during a Kickstarter campaign, including managing backer expectations, dealing with unexpected setbacks and delays, and ensuring proper communication and transparency throughout the funding process.
How have successful Kickstarter projects impacted their respective industries?
Successful Kickstarter projects have had a significant impact on a variety of industries, from introducing new products and services to disrupting established markets. Some projects have even gone on to inspire entire movements and communities.
Additional FAQ:
What percentage of Kickstarter projects are successful?
According to Kickstarter’s official website, approximately 38% of all projects submitted to the platform are successfully funded.
What types of projects tend to be the most successful on Kickstarter?
The most successful projects on Kickstarter tend to fall into categories such as technology, design, and gaming. However, creative and innovative projects in any field can attract significant funding and support from backers.
How do backers benefit from supporting successful Kickstarter projects?
Backers of successful Kickstarter projects often receive rewards such as early access to new products, exclusive merchandise, and personalized experiences with project creators. Additionally, supporting innovative and creative ideas can be personally fulfilling and contribute to the growth of new industries and communities.
