How Star Citizen raised the huge amount of money? In my opinion, there can be three most significant reason. First at all, the space flight simulator game has numerous fans, but recently the market and most of the inventors pay more attention on web game or mobile game. Thus, a high-quality client space sim game can attract the fans easily. Furthermore, backers can receive virtual rewards in the form of tiered pledge packages, which include a spaceship and credits to buy additional equipment and to cover initial costs in the virtual economy, like fuel and rental fees, and so on. Lastly, developer(s) of the game announce that the fund will be used to support the development of the game, so the fans may be glad to contribute their money to make the game released.

In my opinion, the success of the DAO can rely on several reason. Above all, I believe the most significant aspect is that the digital currency can be a disruptive innovation. Being distributed and decentralized, it can bring us a new economy and financial model which faces to the future. Theoretically, digital currency which is not issued by governments will never lead to inflation while a distribution system will protect your asset security better than the bank. Secondly, open and transparent management will give funders enough confidence and sense of participation. 

The edge was designed as a hybrid device, which would function as a high-end smartphone. Although the Edge is the second highest funded crowdfunding project at the $10 million milestone, it was not able to meet its goal of $32 million to start the project. 

At the beginning of the project, the creator wants to produce a proposed smartphone with high-end specification which is often called superphone. The phone in imagination can provide the extremely powerful function and integrate almost all of the leading technology. Then, why it failed in the end?

Someone maybe say even if it was not able to meet the objective, it still could be one of the superior crowdfunding cases. However, I consider that the creators made huge mistake on determining the market size and the investors’ confidence. Any successful products or ideas cannot offset the blunder on the strategy. Therefore, I have to regard the Edge as a failure example for crowdfunding. t

 

This is a special example because Gut Weißenhaus was not a high-technical project, but just a traditional business. It is a schloss (a kind of construction) in Germany. It is next to the Baltic Sea and about 100 km away from Hamburg. The owner of this 75 hectare estate bought it in 2005, and manage to crowdfund €7.5 million for the renovation and conversion. The backers can receive dividend through their investment. Even if it seems not an attractive industry for investors, it still made a record as the largest amount of crowdfunding in Europe.

I choose this case because it can illustrate some interesting facts. As you know, Europe face serious economic issues and lack of innovation. Thus, the most popular project does not rely on the new business model but the traditional industry. It is a steady investment for those who want to invest low-risk projects.

The second pros of this project is the best reward to the funders. The Baubax announced clearly on the kickstarter that the funders will get the jacket by a low price at $99 which would retail for $160. Furthermore, the Baubax offered its first set of backers preferred delivery.

Lastly, Baubax developed good stretch goals for funders. For Baubox, stretch goals included touch screen-friendly half-scooped gloves, a water-resistant phone pocket, and a nice, folded blanket that fits in a pocket. I believe they are all good reason to get people to pledge again.