Have you ever wondered which Kickstarter campaigns have made history? From technology innovations to creative projects, Kickstarter has been the launchpad for some groundbreaking ideas. In this article, we will explore the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of all time, showcasing the incredible achievements and the impact these projects have had on our lives. Get ready to be amazed by the extraordinary creativity, passion, and community support that have made these campaigns thrive.
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Technology
Pebble Time
Pebble Time is a smartwatch that broke Kickstarter records when it launched in 2015. The campaign raised over $20 million, making it the most successful Kickstarter campaign at the time. The Pebble Time features an e-paper display, which gives it a long battery life and allows for easy readability in various lighting conditions. With its sleek design and customizable watch faces, the Pebble Time quickly became a favorite among tech enthusiasts.
OUYA
OUYA, a gaming console that raised over $8.5 million on Kickstarter, took the gaming industry by storm in 2012. What made OUYA unique was its open-source platform, allowing indie game developers to create and distribute their games without the need for a publisher. This innovative concept attracted a wide range of gamers and developers alike, making OUYA a hit among the gaming community.
Coolest Cooler
The Coolest Cooler, a multi-functional cooler with built-in features like a blender, Bluetooth speaker, and USB charger, raised an impressive $13.3 million on Kickstarter. With its sleek design and convenient features, the Coolest Cooler became a must-have item for outdoor enthusiasts and party-goers. Its success on Kickstarter speaks to the demand for innovative and functional products in the market.
Design
Pono Music Player
The Pono Music Player was a Kickstarter sensation, raising over $6 million in 2014. Developed by Neil Young, this portable music player aimed to deliver high-quality sound that stays true to the original recording. Audiophiles and music enthusiasts were immediately drawn to the Pono Music Player, as it promised a superior audio experience. Its success on Kickstarter highlighted the demand for high-fidelity music in a portable device.
Form 1
Form 1, a high-resolution 3D printer, made waves on Kickstarter by raising over $2.9 million in 2012. With its precise printing capabilities and user-friendly interface, Form 1 allowed designers and engineers to bring their creations to life. The success of this campaign showcased the growing interest in 3D printing technology and its potential for various industries.
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens, a card game that raised over $8.7 million on Kickstarter, combined strategic gameplay with hilarious artwork. Created by Elan Lee and Matthew Inman, the game quickly gained a cult following and became a household favorite. The success of Exploding Kittens highlighted the popularity of unique and entertaining card games, capturing the attention of both casual and hardcore gamers.
Film & Video
MST3K: Bring Back Mystery Science Theater 3000
MST3K: Bring Back Mystery Science Theater 3000, a Kickstarter campaign to revive the beloved cult TV show, raised over $5.7 million in 2015. Fans of the original series were thrilled to have the opportunity to bring back the witty commentary and unique movie-watching experience. The success of this campaign demonstrated the power of passionate fan communities and their ability to support projects close to their hearts.
Wish I Was Here
Wish I Was Here, a film by actor-director Zach Braff, became one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns in the film industry. The campaign raised over $3.1 million to fund the production of this heartfelt indie film. Braff's appeal to his fanbase and the promise of a unique cinematic experience resonated with supporters, helping to make Wish I Was Here a reality.
Veronica Mars
The Veronica Mars movie surpassed all expectations when it raised over $5.7 million on Kickstarter in 2013. Fans of the TV show eagerly contributed to the campaign to bring back their beloved characters and storylines to the big screen. This campaign not only proved the enduring love for the Veronica Mars franchise but also the power of fan support in bringing projects to life.
Games
Kingdom Death: Monster 1.5
Kingdom Death: Monster 1.5 raised over $12.4 million on Kickstarter, making it one of the most successful tabletop games campaigns to date. Combining miniatures, card-based gameplay, and a dark fantasy setting, Kingdom Death: Monster 1.5 appealed to both hardcore gamers and collectors. This campaign showcased the passion of tabletop gaming enthusiasts and the demand for innovative and immersive gaming experiences.
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens, previously mentioned in the Design category, was not only a successful card game but also a hit in the gaming industry. The hilarious and strategic gameplay, along with its delightful artwork, attracted a wide range of players. With over $8.7 million raised, Exploding Kittens became one of the most funded games on Kickstarter, highlighting the popularity of unique and entertaining tabletop games.
The 7th Continent
The 7th Continent, a choose-your-own-adventure-style tabletop game, raised over $7 million on Kickstarter. Players embark on a cooperative exploration in a mysterious and dangerous continent, discovering hidden cards and uncovering the secrets of the land. The immersive gameplay and captivating storyline captured the imagination of tabletop gaming enthusiasts worldwide, making The 7th Continent a resounding success.
Art
The Sketchbook Project
The Sketchbook Project, a global art initiative, raised over $67,000 on Kickstarter to support its mission of creating a library of artists' sketchbooks. Participants from around the world contributed their artwork to be housed in a traveling exhibition. This campaign showcased the power of collaboration and the ability to bring diverse artistic voices together in a single project.
Jellyfish Art
Jellyfish Art, a campaign to create a desktop jellyfish tank, raised over $163,000 on Kickstarter. The unique and mesmerizing beauty of jellyfish, combined with a user-friendly tank design, attracted nature enthusiasts and art lovers alike. The success of this campaign highlighted the demand for innovative ways to bring nature and art into everyday life.
1001 Journals Project
The 1001 Journals Project aimed to create a collaborative art project by sending blank journals to people around the world. This Kickstarter campaign raised over $18,000 to support the production and distribution of these journals. The project created a unique platform for expression and creativity, allowing individuals to contribute their artwork and stories to a global community.
Music
Adventure Time: The Complete Series on Blu-ray
Adventure Time: The Complete Series on Blu-ray raised over $866,000 on Kickstarter, allowing fans of the animated series to own a comprehensive collection of their favorite show. The campaign's success showcased the dedication and passion of the Adventure Time fanbase and their desire for high-quality, collectible merchandise.
The Present
The Present, an album by electronic music artist Tycho, raised over $100,000 on Kickstarter. Offering exclusive rewards and behind-the-scenes access to the creative process, Tycho was able to connect with his fans and create a sense of community around his music. This campaign demonstrated the power of crowdfunding in supporting independent musicians and allowing them to maintain creative control over their work.
Neil Young's Pono Music Player
Neil Young's Pono Music Player, mentioned earlier in the Design category, also had a significant impact in the music industry. The campaign's success highlighted the demand for high-quality audio and the desire to experience music in its purest form. With over $6 million raised, the Pono Music Player became a symbol of the pursuit of audio excellence.
Publishing
D&D 5th Edition
D&D 5th Edition, a campaign to bring the popular role-playing game back to its roots, raised over $2 million on Kickstarter. The success of this campaign demonstrated the enduring appeal of Dungeons & Dragons and the passion of its fanbase. With its streamlined rules and immersive storytelling, D&D 5th Edition captured the hearts of both new and seasoned players.
The Order of the Stick Reprint Drive
The Order of the Stick, a webcomic that humorously parodies the world of Dungeons & Dragons, raised over $1.2 million on Kickstarter for its reprint drive. Fans of the comic eagerly supported the campaign to ensure the availability of the entire series in print form. This campaign showcased the power of crowdfunding in helping independent creators reach a wider audience.
Red Dwarf: The Roleplaying Game
Red Dwarf: The Roleplaying Game, based on the popular British sci-fi sitcom, raised over $270,000 on Kickstarter. Fans of the show now had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Red Dwarf universe and create their own adventures. The success of this campaign demonstrated the passion and dedication of the Red Dwarf fanbase and their desire to engage with the beloved characters and world of the show.
Comics
Order of the Stick: Reprint Drive
The Order of the Stick, previously mentioned in the Publishing category, not only had success as a webcomic but also as a Kickstarter campaign. The campaign to reprint the comic series raised over $1.2 million, making it one of the most funded projects in the comics category. The support from fans showcased the love for the witty writing and charming characters that have made The Order of the Stick a beloved webcomic.
Double Fine Adventure
Double Fine Adventure, a video game project led by renowned game developer Tim Schafer, raised over $3.3 million on Kickstarter. The campaign aimed to create a classic-style adventure game, reviving the genre that had seen a decline in recent years. This campaign proved the hunger for innovative and story-driven games and the desire for game developers to have creative control over their projects.
The Order of the Stick: The Monster in the Dark
The Order of the Stick, previously mentioned in the Comics category, had another successful campaign on Kickstarter to support the creation of a new story arc. This campaign raised over $1.25 million, showcasing the continued support of fans and their excitement for new content. The success of this campaign demonstrated the dedication and passion of the webcomic's fanbase.
Food & Beverage
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens, previously mentioned in the Design and Games categories, also made a mark in the Food & Beverage industry. The campaign to create a party card game with hilarious illustrations raised over $8.7 million on Kickstarter. The success of this campaign highlighted the demand for unique and entertaining party games that can bring people together for a fun and memorable experience.
Pebble 2, Time 2 + All-New Pebble Core
Pebble, the company behind the popular smartwatches, launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of their new products. The campaign raised over $12 million, allowing Pebble to create advanced smartwatches that offered fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, and seamless integration with smartphones. The success of this campaign showcased the popularity of wearable technology and the demand for innovative features in smartwatches.
BauBax: The World's Best Travel Jacket
BauBax: The World's Best Travel Jacket raised over $9.1 million on Kickstarter, making it one of the most successful campaigns in the Food & Beverage category. What made this jacket unique was its built-in features like a neck pillow, eye mask, and multiple storage pockets. Travelers quickly embraced this innovative product, as it offered convenience and comfort on the go.
Fashion
Pebble 2, Time 2 + All-New Pebble Core
Pebble, previously mentioned in the Food & Beverage category, also had a significant impact in the Fashion industry. The sleek design and customizable features of their smartwatches appealed to fashion-conscious consumers. With over $12 million raised on Kickstarter, Pebble proved that technology and fashion can seamlessly integrate to create functional and stylish accessories.
BauBax: The World's Best Travel Jacket
BauBax: The World's Best Travel Jacket, previously mentioned in the Food & Beverage category, also made waves in the Fashion industry. The jacket's versatility and stylish design attracted fashion-forward travelers who wanted to combine fashion and functionality. With over $9.1 million raised, BauBax became a symbol of innovation in travel apparel.
Fidget Cube: A Vinyl Desk Toy
Fidget Cube: A Vinyl Desk Toy raised over $6.4 million on Kickstarter, capturing the attention of individuals who often found themselves fidgeting during work or study. This simple yet addictive desk toy offered various tactile features that allowed users to satisfy their need for sensory stimulation. The success of this campaign highlighted the demand for stress-relieving and focus-enhancing products in the market.
In conclusion, these Kickstarter campaigns have had a significant impact on various industries, showcasing the power of crowdfunding and the support of passionate communities. From technology to fashion, these successful campaigns have not only brought innovative products to the market but also created a sense of community and connection among backers and creators. The success of these campaigns serves as a reminder that anyone with a great idea and the determination to make it a reality can find support and success through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter.
