The big consumer electronics companies should be really scared right now. Hardware startups are coming. Wouldn't be surprised if some hardware incubators start popping up too
Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
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Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#32Uh... crowdfunding sounds like the PERFECT model for consumer electronics!
It's a business that requires high startup capital, and where uncertainty comes with much greater costs than software. You're going to be making thousands of units of whatever it is you're making if you want it to be even remotely cost effective.
So, a method of funding where customers vote with their wallets before you face the biggest headache in consumer electronics--turning a design/prototype into something mass produced--sounds like a great fit.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
If this becomes legal, wouldn't kickstarter instantly be the kickstarter of startups?
They've said they're not interested in doing it, which is kind of surprising.
There will be substantial regulatory issues to deal with, so it's not too surprising they don't want to drag themselves into that. Better to maintain their focus.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#34For me it was surprising at first that Kickstarter even worked. It pulled out a better part of people that I really didn't hope that it exists on such a level. People are basically paying for stuff without the 100% guarantee that they'll get it, without previous reviews and opinions about those products, and while knowingly being the first batch of users which will collide head-first with all first bugs and issues. A…
I have the feeling that a significant number of the payers are not aware of the fact that there is a decent chance of the hypothetical product never seeing the daylight. If not, it will almost certainly be delayed. When one or two of highly publicized projects fold, I expect a good amount of Kickstarter complaints.
I don't know...
I funded a video game (No Time To Explain) whose frankly was garbage. I didn't think at the time that kickstarter was responsible. I made a bet, and I lose. I still put money on projects I find awesome. I am not everyone, but I have the feeling that consumers are more relaxed when they put money on a kickstarter project.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#35I wonder if KickStarter and similar projects could disrupt YC and TechStars. For example, I could see DropBox raising a sizable seed round on KickStarter if it was an option when they launched. (Free 250gb plan for a year with a donation of $50.)
Definitely! Why can't I buy $100 worth of stock in a startup along with 1000's of other people? Some SEC rules or something? EDIT: Then imagine how motivated those 1000's of others would be to promote a startup they owned a stake in.
Angel List is perfectly positioned to do just this.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#36Is there a place that lists the projects that ended up being a failure? I'm curious what the failure rate of Kickstarter is, and if fraud artists are attempting to rip people off via it. Also, if the failure rate starts increasing, would that jeopardize the entire business model, if people lose confidence that the projects will see the light of day?
I think we're just one big Kickstarter failure away from everybody rethinking things.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#37FWIW, I use Kickstarter solely as a way to fund art projects, a sort of modern art patronage system if you will. I've never even considered that the consumer electronics projects are art in their own right.
Is only funding art intentional or haven't you seen anything in different categories that you wanted (and were willing to spend $X for)? I've only funded a CD for my friends' band, but if I wasn't a student (aka, had disposable income), there are quite a few things in the consumer electronics space that I would have loved to pick up.
I guess I never really thought about it. I've never gone looking for things to fund -- I've only funded stuff my friends are doing.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#38Seems like Kickstarter is also disrupting the game development process, allowing game studios to produce games without being beholden to publishers. Examples: * Double Fine Adventure - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/66710809/double-fine-adv... * The Banner Saga - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stoic/the-banner-saga * Wasteland 2 - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inxile/wasteland-2 * Shadowrun Returns -…
A former roommate of mine is finishing a game (inspired by Ender's Game) with Kickstarter funding, and they've actually released a playable prototype for backers--even though the Kickstarter campaign isn't even over yet.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mercenary-games/vigrior-...
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#39" Consumer electronics are among the most well-funded projects on Kickstarter despite the fact that it’s dubious whether they should even be included in the scope of fundable projects. " Why would it be dubious to have them be included as a fundable project? Am I missing something?
Kickstarter has a sort of vaguely worded scope that indicates they're interested in funding art and other "creative" projects, but not normal products. Some tech clearly falls into the creative/artsy category, but some of the tech projects on Kickstarter are veering closer towards "just" funding a consumer electronics product.
Re: Kickstarter Is Totally Disrupting Consumer Electronics, Probably By Mistake
#40> Consumer electronics are among the most well-funded projects on Kickstarter, (...) which (...) means that consumer electronics as a market has been ripe for disruption all along
So true. Kickstarter is Wordpress for gadgets; anyone with an idea and some talent and experience can make something without first needing to get pre-approved by some self-appointed authority.
I think anywhere where someone says "you can't do that" is ripe for this kind of disruption. So what's next?