One of the most challenging problems with perk-based crowdfunding is that too frequently project creators fail to deliver. While outright fraud may be rare, projects that don’t deliver or over-promise and under-deliver is commonplace. This has undermined the entire ecosystem as backers have become wary of supporting projects. Why not just wait until you can buy it on Amazon?
Mindblower wants to “turn crowdfunding on its head” by launching a fully-guaranteed marketplace supported by software that predicts consumer trends. Kind of a Quirky plus, perhaps. Mindblower is the first crowdfunding site to offer a money back guarantee for backers on the products they’ve supported if a product fails to ship.
The MindBlower team says it has developed a sophisticated algorithm to predict future consumer demands and selects inventions that will be successful for mass market distribution. The company manages the entire product lifecycle, from market testing, through manufacturing, and taking products to market. Mindblower says they focus on the entire product – not just the part of raising cash from backers. The platform also said it will focus on lower tech consumer goods while steering clear of hardware tech products that can be super difficult to produce.
For their first two products, Mindblower is promoting SkiGo, a travel accessory for skis and snowboards and The SeedPod that allows users to save and store seeds for future use in an easy and elegant way.
“At MindBlower, we see inventions and product designs that inspire us every day, and we take great pride in leading the force to ensure those standout inventions and designs are successful,” said Carmit Turgeman, CEO and founder. “We are very excited to be launching our new marketplace to offer consumers amazing designs before they are generally available. We look forward to continuing to work closely with designers and inventors around the world who are shaping the future of consumption.”
Turgeman is a successful creator herself and an engineer and graduate of Technion in Israel.
“I conceived MindBlower to bridge the gap between having a good idea, funding it, and bringing it to market,” she said.