Crowdsourcing donations: it's tough getting invested in in the first place, so startups have to look at more than just the usual options of getting an investor, getting a bank loan or getting help from family and friends. Crowdsourcing (or crowdfunding), if done right, can be a great, budget-friendly way of accessing capital. This slideshare tells you what it is, where to get it in Europe and how to do a successful campaign (with some awesome examples).

1. Crowdsourcing donations: getting free
money for your startup in Europe

2. an epic slideshare brought to you by

3. Crowdsourcing or crowdfunding?
SAME!

4. Press release (Oct. 2013): Crowdfunding in the
EU - exploring the added value of potential EU
action
Commissioner for Internal Market and Services
Michel Barnier said: "Crowdfunding – this
alternative form of fundraising that is
collective, participatory and interactive – is
becoming increasingly important. It has the
potential to bridge the financing gap many
start-ups face and to stimulate
entrepreneurship.

5. US >vs< EU
“While the U.S. currently leads the world in volume of
crowdfunding transactions (estimated by the 2013
Crowdfunding Industry Report for this year to be at
72%), a sizable chunk will come from Europe, at 26%,
and 2% from the rest of the world.”
“Crowdfunders generally fall into different categories:
equity, donation, reward, and debt. The last is also
known as microfinancing — and commonly referred to
in Europe as “peer-to-peer lending.”
– David Drake, Forbes, 2013

6. Crowdsourcing
in Europe
– or
should I
say, UK
and
Netherlands!
Source:
crowdcafe.com

7. Is crowdsourcing a good choice?
• Bypass banks, venture capital firms and angel
investors (and save asking more from your family
and friends)
• Have control over the rules of investment
(depending on which website you choose)
• Market your startup on popular crowdsourcing
platforms
• Fast setup
i.e. It’s the path with the least strings attached

8. Crowd sauce
– if you are
successful,
it’s also an
awesome
way of
validating
your idea

9. Pebble raised HOW MUCH??!!
Source: Kickstarter

10. Most common types of crowdsourcing

11. …and since money doesn’t grow on
trees for startups…

12. •
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•
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Here’s a list of the most budget-friendly
options in Europe!
CroFun
RocketHub
IndieGogo
KissKissBankBank
Ulule
Zequs
Booomerang
100-days
Start Next
Verkami
Goteo
Eppela
MassiveMov
*note*
There may be many
more – a lot of
crowdsourcing sites are
specific to an industry,
charity, or country.
Check out
www.crowdsunite.com
for more options

13. Cool, so I know the
platforms. What’s next?

14. An ass-kickin’,
mind-blowin’
campaign design!
And then a marketing campaign. Yay.

15. Choose the appropriate platform
Image credits: quickmeme.com and museumvictoria.com.au

16. Pick the right time of the year – avoid
major holidays and when people are
generally broke

17. Create a compelling theme/message
Seth Godin’s “The Icarus Deception” campaign

18. Create a short video and supporting images
reflecting the core message of your idea
TechJect’s Dragonfly Robot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9lM-vM2dk8

19. Offer attractive rewards for contributors
– that you can realistically do
Source: jewcer.com

20. Leverage
the shit out
of your
network in
advance
and during
the
campaign
(it helps if
you have an
engaged
following on
social
media)

21. Reach out to those who have successfully
raised and ask for tips and endorsements

22. Keep the excitement
rolling with regular
updates on social
media, your blog,
email list
Tom Woodward

23. Mention it on forums full of people who
you identify as the right contributors

24. Top 5 mistakes when doing
crowdsourcing (from the owners of
IndieGoGo)
•
•
•
•
•
“Crowdfunding is not a lottery”
“Setting a goal that is too damn high”
“Jumping the gun with marketing”
“Dry, business-like pitch”
“Perks that don’t work”

25. The article that inspired this
Slideshare is available on Pitch.rs

26. Got questions? Find us here!