Catalyst Café at the Library: What is Kickstarter? What else is like it? How do I learn more?

What is Kickstarter? What else is like it? How do I learn more?

What: Kickstarter, from Tucsonans Who Tried It
When: Friday, June 1, 3:00-4:30pm
Where: Lower Level Meeting Room, Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., Tucson AZ

Crowdfunding defined: Crowdfunding is a way to get small amounts of money from a large number of people to fund a particular project. It’s been around for a few years in the form of small donations for arts and social projects, in return for token rewards such as t-shirts or dinner with the founders. (Source: CrowdCheck)

Peer-to-Peer defined: Distribution that occurs online with no centralized authority, where people can collaborate on projects with each other directly. Requires some kind of "platform," software framework that structures the relationships.

Kickstarter defined: Kickstarter is a funding and patronage platform for independent creative projects — everything from traditional forms of art (like theater and music) to contemporary forms (like design and games).

Who is Kickstarter?
Project Guidelines
Kickstarter School
Kickstarter how to: video
Kickstarter infographic

Specific categories: Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater.
All or nothing
Project-focused: must have clear beginning and end
Not capital funds; must offer incentives like limited editions, one-of-a-kinds, and fun experiences.
You retain all your Intellectual Property rights
Contributions are not tax-deductible
No charity or cause funding
No "fund my life" projects

Local Kickstarter projects

Ronstadt Generations (active)
Origins of Dexter & Stray, part 2 (funded)
Thor: Unkillable Thunder Christ (funded)
Caracal Cat Documentary Project (funded)
Piñata the Film (funded)
Big Read, Tucson's Love Letter to Emily Dickinson (funded)
Odaiko Sonora's 10th Anniversary (funded)
Other Tucson projects

Crowdfunding continuum (this list does not imply recommendation)

IndiGoGo (similar to KS but with more flexibility)

Local user: Hear Me, See Me (Stories that Soar)

Razoo (social fundraising tools, allows teams)

Local user: Owl and Panther

iGive (a shopping mall where purchases help nonprofits)

Local user: Arizona Greyhound Rescue

CauseCart (requests donations from vendors every time you shop)

Mashable article

Fundable (crowdfunding for either rewards or equity)

Mashable article

FirstGiving (empowers individuals/teams to fundraise on their own for causes)

Local user: YMCA Miles of Smiles

Causes (empowers grassroots organizing)

Local user: Graphic Novel Project

Kiva (microloans for projects)

Example: El Aguacate Group

LuckyAnt (crowdfunding for NYC-area businesses)
USAProjects (crowdfunding for art projects)
RocketHub (crowdfunding for individuals and organizations)
Prosper (peer-to-peer lending/investment)
Sellaband (crowdfunding for musicians)
Return on Change (crowdfunded startup investment in tech, bio-med, & social ventures)
Early Shares (crowdfunding for business)
ChipIn (money collection)
eRaise (closed beta)