We’ve all been there – thinking we’ve come up with the next big idea. Kickstarter provides an online platform for entrepreneurs who are in search of funding for their ambitious projects. Each entrepreneur must build their own webpage, shoot a promotional video and offer rewards to entice prospective pledgers. Since it went live almost three years ago, nearly 50,000 projects have used the website to reach their goals.
By working off of an all-or-nothing funding, meaning each venture gets to keep all of pledges or none of them depending whether or not they reached their timed goals, Kickstarter offers very little risk to its users.
We took a look at some of our favourite ventures that are currently looking for more pledges:
1. Soundlazer: a technology project in Burbank, CA
The speaker uses ultrasonic technology to carry sound waves to transmit audio to listeners. Unlike a regular speaker, Soundlazer‘s technology carries sounds as a focused beam. Listeners who are standing in front of the parametric speaker can hear the audio, but people to the sides hear little or no sound.
2. Hickies: a product design project in Brooklyn, NY
The lacing system replaces traditional shoelaces, allowing you to make any pair a shoes, slip on. Hickies secure through the eyelets of shoes, fastening by a clasp and tip system. Perfect for athletes, kids, and people who are tired of tying shoelaces. They are made of soft recyclable elastic that loosen and contract with your foot. They come in 16 different colour combinations.
3. Tour for GHOSTS WITH SHIT JOBS: a Lo-fi Sci-Fi film feature in Toronto.
This mockumentary takes place in the year 2040, where the economy has flipped, and North Americans are now a cheap labour pool for the Asian markets. A Chinese documentary sheds some light on people who have been born in the slums of Toronto, in a report that translates as “Ghosts With Shit Jobs”. The mockumentary was put together by 50 volunteers, who put in over 6500 hours of work over the course of 3 years.
4. New York Polaroid Project: a photography initiative in New York, NY
The project’s plan is to take as many photographs of New York City as possible with a 450 Land Camera. The creator, Harry Dorofee plans to recreate some of his grandfathers photos, showing the difference between the 1940s and today.
5. Jiva Coffee Cubes: a Food project in Miami, FL
Jiva Coffee is an instant coffee that is produced by freeze-drying process. Jiva Coffee consists of Supremo Beans. Although instant coffees are usually made of the lowest quality beans, this company has opted for the best beans Colombia can offer. Their product contains no chemical additives, preservatives, GMO’s, colorants or artificial flavorants. Simply add the package to a cup of hot water or milk, stir, and enjoy!
______
Nicole Siena is an intern for the Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @nicolesiena
For more, follow us on Twitter at @TorontoStandard and subscribe to our newsletter.
