What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a heaven-sent for aspiring entrepreneurs and dreamers. Rarely do people get the support they need to unleash their creativity. Crowdfunding provides a unique opportunity to all those looking to unleash their creative juices. All you need to do is a present an idea worth its mettle and if investors deem your idea worth investing in, you will receive financial aid to kick-start its development. Some projects raise millions of dollars while others are not so fortunate.
All this said and done, there are a few crowdfunding platforms that are better than the rest. While Kickstarter and Indiegogo are well-known platforms, newer platforms like GoFundScience is the better solution looking forward. It harmonizes science and welfare and provides deserving scientists, entrepreneurs and project leads with the opportunity to fulfil their dreams, not to mention provide funds to over 1.5 million charities! Here are a few of the best crowdfunding platforms on the market today.
Best Crowdfunding Platforms for Projects and Start-Ups
1. Kickstarter
True to its name, Kickstarter is a fantastic option if you have an amazing project you want to kick-start with the financial push you need. It is the most popular crowdfunding site today and is a household name. Inventions and creative work can be funded on this platform. You have to set a funding target you expect to achieve and you can keep 95% of the funds raised if your goal is reached. Kickstarter keeps 5% of the fund raiser for every successful project. The downside is that you do not receive any funds if your goal is not reached. It is also not the place for helping non-profit organizations.
2. Indiegogo
Indiegogo generally plays second fiddle to Kickstarter. However, it provides for several advantages over Kickstarter. Indiegogo will let you keep your funds even if you not reached your target and will keep 9% of the funds raised. For every successful project, Indiegogo will keep 4% of the raised funds. You can also buy funded products in the marketplace of the platform. This allows successful projects to have another source of potential income.
3. CircleUp
CircleUp helps entrepreneurs raise money for their emerging brands. CircleUp has helped over 200 entrepreneurs since its launch in 2011. Talk about impressive statistics! In order to apply, companies must exhibit a revenue of at least 1 million USD. Some promising companies are allowed to apply if they have a revenue of 500,000 USD. The investors have deep knowledge and experience in consumer brands and retail and provide support and strategy based guidance to the start-ups affiliated to the platform. Of course, as is the case with most crowdfunding platforms, CircleUp takes a percentage of the funds raised as commission.
Best Crowdfunding Platforms for Artists
1. RocketHub
RocketHub bridges the gap between artists and buyers. You no longer need to meet one hundred people to get your paintings, songs or photographs launched. RocketHub is a fantastic Launchpad for creative artists the world over. You must set a funding goal you expect to reach and you are charged 4% of the funds raised if you are successful. If you do not reach you target, you are allowed to keep the raised funds and you are charged 8% of the profits reaped.
2. Patreon
Patreon is a popular crowdfunding platform that sets itself apart with a subscription based model. It provides immense support to creative ventures and artists. Long gone are the days when people had to run from one person to the other to get their songs or paintings funded and distributed. Patreon provides for an easier alternative. You can also provide exclusive content to patrons subscribed to your venture through the site itself. A fee is charged per project, but overall, its system is pretty decent.
Best Crowdfunding Platforms for a Social Cause
1. Razoo
Razoo focuses on raising money for social causes. They have a dedicated section for raising money for non-profit projects as well. They have raised a lot of money for thousands of worthy causes. Its fundraisers are divided into four categories: Foundations, Corporations, Individuals and Non-Profits. Compared to other crowdfunding platforms, Razoo charges a minimal service fee. Razoo charges just 2.9% of the total funds raised for cause or project.
2. Crowdrise
Crowdrise is another honourable crowdfunding platform. It specializes on dealing with worldly issues rather than raising money for creative individuals. They fund arts, cultures, diseases, religion, education and animal welfare. It is one of the best platforms to help raise money for charity. You can also raise money for personal causes like birthday parties, college projects and weddings. The downside is their fee. They charge a fee of 4.95% for every fund raising cause along with a separate transaction fee.
3. GoFundMe
GoFundMe has nothing to do with any fancy project, start-up or artist. You can set up campaigns to raise money for a cause or for yourself. If your campaign gathers enough steam or manages to catch the eye of the public, you can raise funds. They charge 5% of the funds raised from the total amount.
Best Crowdfunding Platform Overall
GoFundScience
Why does GoFundScience Stands Out?
Our mission is to empower people to unite around ideas that matter to them and make those ideas come to life. Aeternum is the world’s first science and intellectual property driven ICO. The centrepiece of our ecosystem consists of deep science projects and start-ups in the fields of financial technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology and artificial intelligence. We intend on empowering these start-ups with the financial push they need. Our goal is to create a platform which will allow individuals the world over with the opportunity to invest in the intellectual property rights of scientists around the world.
While IPOs presented a viable option a few years ago, ICOs are the norm of today. Crowdfunding is our instrument of investment. We intend on maximizing the value of the investment pool and giving our affiliated start-ups with the financial push they deserve. Our investors can invest in the offered pool and cannot choose an individual project to invest in. Aeternum users have voting powers though, and will be able to vote for projects we should invest in first. All projects will be screened to determine their viability and credibility in the long run. We also plan on raising money for over 1.5 million charities with personal fundraisers, events, races and corporate philanthropy.
The use of blockchain technology will ensure full transparency of investments made. Smart contracts will ensure that all qualified partners have their say in reviewing and approving applicants that want to contribute to and join the ecosystem. You can also sell your membership via our affiliated exchange, or at our finance application as our token serves as a proof of membership to the Aeternum Fund. Here is how you can invest in the Aeternum Fund:
BitLats is a new cryptocurrency, backed by science-based start-ups and their intellectual property. This is creating an increasing demand for the cryptocurrency which has led an increase in its value. Our platform is open to everyone willing to reap returns off deep science-based project realization. Invest in our projects through BitLats. You will receive an appropriate amount of Aeternum tokens and reap a return on investment as our affiliated projects and ecosystem grow. Smart City is the physical ecosystem for the development of these projects. All goods and service exchanges will be made through this platform by using BitLats. For more details visit our website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYTkSCexWFkClick on the above mentioned link to learn more about the GoFundScience
