List of Top Crowdfunding Platforms
If you’re looking to get a new venture off the ground and need an infusion of funds to make that happen, you’ve probably considered pursuing crowdfunding, which has become an increasingly viable option for startups. Crowdfunding is also a great tool to assess the pre-launch demand for your product or service.
Not all crowdfunding platforms are created equal. Some cater specifically to certain industries, and their financial cut of your raise varies widely by platform. Following is a list of some of the most popular crowdfunding platforms, with basic information on each.
Crowdfunding Platforms
Kickstarter
Top crowdfunding site for creative projects, launched in 2009
Industries/Specialties: Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, Theater
Their Cut: Flat 5% rate of money raised
Fundraising Successes: Pebble Smartwatch, Ouya
Indiegogo
Popular crowdfunding platform backed by $15 million in Series A funding
Their Cut: Flexible funding campaigns that meet their goal are charged 4% for a platform fee; those that do not meet their goal are charged 9%
Project Travel
Peer-funding platform geared toward educational travel
Industries/Specialties: Education, Travel
Their Cut: 5.5% fee on every donation made and a 2.9% fee + $0.30 per transaction
CrowdRise
Crowdfunding site for giving back and raising money for good causes
Industries/Specialties: Animal, arts, civil rights, crisis, disease, education, environment, human, worldwide, poverty, religion, youth
Their Cut: Pricing starts at a flat 3%
Fundraising Successes: NYC Marathon, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust
Bolstr
Where successful small businesses access funding for growth
Industries/Specialties: local businesses, community-based projects
Their Cut: nominal listing fee; attorneys charge fees to review each campaign prior to launch; legal fees range from $500 to $1,000; other regulatory filing fees
Microryza
A platform for discovering, funding and experiencing new scientific discoveries
Industries/Specialties: Science, scientific research
Their Cut: 5% fee and 3% card processing fee
SportyFunder
Crowdfunding platform to help raise finance for sporting activities
Industries/Specialties: Sports, organized sports, group sports
AppsFunder
A funding platform connecting mobile entrepreneurs and developers with funders
Industries/Specialties: Mobile apps, Web apps, games, social media, software websites
Their Cut: 8% commission on the funds collected if target reached in time; also receive 5% of app revenues
Fundraising Successes: Visual Translater, Suspended Coffees, PrioritizeMe!
MicroVentures
Connecting angel ventures and startups
Industries/Specialties: Internet technology, media entertainment, software, green technology, mobile, social, gaming
Fundraising Successes: Medigram, Dekko, Graphicly Fund, Smash LLC
Crowdfunder
Collaborative investment fundraising for startups and social enterprises
Industries/Specialties: Consumer products, consumer Internet, education, technology, film and television
Their Cut: Getting started is free; offer multiple packages varying in price according to the needs of the entrepreneur and their raise
FundersClub
Online VC firm
Industries/Specialties: high-growth potential startups
Their Cut: No annual membership costs; FundersClub will receive compensation equal to a portion of the increase in value, if any, of the investment determined upon the liquidity event, which is expected to equal about 20%
Portfolio: Teespring, Instacart, Coinbase, Boosted
CircleUp
Connecting accredited investors with innovative consumer and retail companies
Industries/Specialties: Branded consumer product companies, with a tangible product, and retail companies that typically have more than one location
Their Cut: No initial charge; user will be assessed a charge based on a percentage of the total amount raised through the CircleUp platform, as long as the target amount has been achieved
SeedInvest
Equity-based crowdfunding platform that connects accredited investors to high-quality startups and small businesses seeking funding
Industries/Specialties: Technology and consumer-facing businesses
Their Cut: No fees for investors to access the site and communicate; free packages and paid packages available
RockThePost
Equity crowdfunding platform that connects entrepreneurs with investors interested in startups
Industries/Specialties: Early-stage startups
Their Cut: Investors who invest using RockThePost’s accreditation verification service will be charged a $49 fee for the verification check; paid monthly plans available
Fundable
Online crowdfunding platform for startups and small businesses
Industries/Specialties: Energy, technology, software, fitness, food, sports, education, consumer products, hardware, games
Their Cut: No percentage fees; $179/month to fundraise
Fundraising Successes: BodBot, Seeds, FIT Radio, Grapevine Craft Brewery
EarlyShares
Equity-based crowdfunding company, founded in 2011
Industries/Specialties: Equity offerings, rewards campaigns
Their Cut: Varies depending on fundraising options; administrative fees range from 2% to 8%
FundOurCommunity
On a mission to build more healthier, more sustainable communities worldwide
Industries/Specialties: Civic events, capital campaigns, infrastructure improvements, arts, education, sports, nonprofit services
Their Cut: 5%