As we reported earlier this week, Coolest Cooler became the most funded project ever on global crowdfunding platform Kickstarter having cruised past Pebble Watch. Coolest still has a few hours to go as it hovers around the $12 million mark as about 57000 have backed the project. Pretty impressive if you ask me. But what of the other projects that came before Coolest and Pebble? Since Kickstarter launched there have been a series of most funded projects (of course). Kickstarter took a moment to reflect and reminisce about projects of lore during these final days of Summer.
What is striking is how times have changed. Back in the last decade, when Kickstarter launched, projects were small and public awareness was minimal. Jump forward to 2014 and projects are funding in millions of dollars – not just thousands like back in the day. Crowdfunding, as an industry, has quickly evolved. While it remains a vehicle to fund cool, creative projects it has also become a testing grounds for concepts to prove their allure and hone their design.
The Pebble Smartwatch held the reign for over 2 years – a significant period of time. How long will Coolest Cooler sit at the summit? Your guess is as good as mine.
We are sharing their list below:
13 Coolest Cooler
- Goal: $50,000
- Raised: $10,394,043 and rising
- Most funded for: ?
- Reign: 8/26/2014—?
12 Pebble Smartwatch
- Goal: $100,000
- Raised: $10,266,245
- Most funded for: 862 days
- Reign: 4/17/2012 —8/26/2014
11 Double Fine Adventure
- Raised: $3,336,371
- Goal: $400,000
- Most funded for: 65 days
- Reign: 2/8/2012 — 4/17/2012
10 Elevation Dock
- Raised: $1,464,706
- Goal: $75,000
- Most funded for: 6 hours
- Reign: 2/8/2012 — 2/8/2012
9 TikTok + LunaTik
- Raised: $942,578
- Goal: $15,000
- Most funded for: 441 days
- Reign: 11/25/2010 — 2/8/2012
8 Save Blue Like Jazz
- Raised: $345,992
- Goal: $125,000
- Most funded for: 34 days
- Reign: 10/21/2010 — 11/25/2010
7 Decentralize the Web with Diaspora
- Raised: $200,641
- Goal: $10,000
- Most funded for: 162 days
- Reign: 5/13/2010 — 10/21/2010
6 Designing Obama
- Raised: $84,613
- Goal: $65,000
- Most funded for: 235 days
- Reign: 10/15/2009 — 5/13/2010
5 The Vanderbilt Republic Foundation: “Masters”
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Raised: $50,264
- Goal: $50,000
- Most funded for: 27 days
- Reign: 9/19/2009 — 10/15/2009
4 Release the next Five Times August Album
- Raised: $20,546
- Goal: $20,000
- Most funded for: 35 days
- Reign: 8/14/2009 — 9/19/2009
3 Help Polyvinyl Save 10,000 Records From Destruction
- Raised: $15,625
- Goal: $1,000
- Most funded for: 57 days
- Reign: 6/17/2009 — 8/14/2009
2 Allison Weiss Makes a Full Length Record
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Raised: $7,711
- Goal: $2,000
- Most funded for: 31 days
- Reign: 5/19/2009 — 6/17/2009
1 New York Makes a Book (this project launched the same day as Kickstarter)
- Raised: $3,329
- Goal: $3,000
- Most funded for: 22 days
- Reign: 4/28/2009 — 5/19/2009
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