Beyond Design, Inc. reposted this
Tis the season of giving and products are no exception 🎁 Popular platforms like Kickstarter get ideas funded and provide incredible lessons for future product launches. Crowdfunding has molded how ideas are brought to market and brought to life. We see ideas get crowd funded all the time at Beyond Design, Inc. Here are the top 5 Kickstarter hits that turned big ideas into major crowdfunding success stories with my takeaways: 1. Pebble Time ⌚ With 78,000+ backers and $20M+ raised, Pebble proved that timing and simplicity drive big wins. They started the smartwatch craze and made tech more convenient. Strategic, limited-time rewards and uncomplicated features drove its campaign success and eventual $40M acquisition. 💡Lesson: Address genuine market needs at the right time. Emerging tech paired with accessible design can create massive traction and lasting industries. 2. Coolest Cooler 🥤 With 62,000+ backers and $13M+ raised, the Coolest Cooler was a Swiss-army-like solution. Its versatility and array of features were appealing, however, it failed to launch despite exceeding funding because the targeted development and production costs were unrealistic. 💡Lesson: Great ideas need smart engineering and design intended for manufacturing. If not, the product vision won’t be delivered as promised. 3. EcoFlow DELTA Pro🔋 With 3,100+ backers and $12M+ raised, the EcoFlow power station built trust through transparent prototype tests and reviews (which were displayed in their campaign). The “show, don’t tell” approach highlighted real user experiences and benefits to crush funding goals. 💡Lesson: Investing in prototypes and user feedback early creates credibility. Demonstrating value with proof builds trust far more effectively than relying on visuals or promises. 4. Travel Tripod 📷 With 27,000+ backers and $12M+ raised, the Tripod focused on usability. The product performed select functions on a professional level but was not swamped by unnecessary features or dramatic aesthetics. It was both easy to use and relatively simple to manufacture. 💡Lesson: Focus on doing a few things exceptionally well. An overcomplicated design can dilute what truly makes a product effective and desirable. 5. BAUBAX Travel Jackets 🧥 With 44,000+ backers and $9M+ raised, BAUBAX upgraded travel fashion by integrating pillows, chargers, and tech-savvy features. It became Kickstarter’s most-funded clothing campaign by blending boldness with utility. It also created value by daring to try something new without sacrificing style. 💡Lesson: Combining innovation with style to carve out new niches. Offering distinctive solutions in crowded markets captures attention and creates a memorable impact. ❗Crowdfunding is about building trust, solving problems, and creating a community around your product. What crowdfunded products have you seen and found inspiring or worth studying? #ProductDesign #Crowdfunding #LessonsLearned #Kickstarter #ProductDevelopment