The British founders of Cocoon realized that home security was too complicated and expensive—most people in the UK and the US didn’t bother with it. So they set out to make a home security system that everyone could use. Their compact device Cocoon detects infrasonic sound waves that humans can’t hear, keeping homes safe without false alarms. Backers were inspired by this new vision of simple home security, so Cocoon was able to raise $249,860. Cocoons are now sold on Amazon and have made it to 55 countries. They were shortlisted for the 2014 London Design Award. See the campaign.
Tens Finds An Enthusiastic Investor
These young British entrepreneurs had the idea to create sunglasses that allow you to see the world through an uplifting, colored filter. The Tens team raised more than £370,000 ($453,000) from 9,300 backers and have shipped to more than 100 countries. Things got even more exciting when business magnate Richard Branson tried a pair on his kite-surfing trip to Necker Island. Afterwards, he made a large investment to help Tens drive global sales and strengthen its international profile. See the campaign.
Google Acquires Lift Labs
Through their Indiegogo campaign, Lift Labs raised and matched funds to gift over 120 Liftware devices to the National Parkinson’s Foundation and Essential Tremor Foundation. In September 2014, Google acquired Lift Labs to join Google’s Life Sciences, a division of Google X that focuses on long-term projects.
See campaign.
A Couple from Idaho Raises More than $2 Million for Solar Roadways
Julie and Scott Brusaw, a small-town couple from Sagle, Idaho, launched a campaign to bring their invention of solar roadways, pavement that generates power, to the limelight. The two doubled their goal of $1 million and even received an invitation to the 2014 White House Maker Faire.
Skybell Makes Doorbells Smarter
Andrew Thomas and his team raised more than $583,000 to manufacture Skybell, a smart doorbell, in late 2013. Skybell went on to be named an International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Honoree and at WWDC 2014, Apple announced that Skybell would be part of HomeKit, Apple’s home automation initiative.
See campaign.
Matter and Form Raises Funds to Transform 3D Printing
Adam Brandejs and Drew Cox, Co-founders of Matter and Form from Ontario, Canada, designed the first affordable 3D scanner that could be used by anyone in the world. The team raised more than $470,000, has shipped hundreds of products to contributors and has now raised $2 million from Sandstone Asset Management Inc. and MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF).
See campaign.
MVMT Watches Hit the Scene
Jake Kassan and the MVMT watch team started their campaign on Indiegogo to bring a new stylish and affordable watch to the public. After being so successful in their first campaign, exceeding their goal by 1,466% to raise $219,898, the company began a second one, raising another $71,409. After shipping to nearly 3,000 contributors, MVMT watches are now in 30 Urban Outfitters stores across the US and Canada and the founders recently won Shopify’s Build A Business contest.
See campaign.
Misfit Shine Changes the Game for Wearables
Sonny Vu, CEO of Misfit Wearables launched a new type of activity tracker, the Misfit Shine, and raised nearly $850,000 on Indiegogo. After using the platform to gain data and demonstrate value in the market, the Misfit Shine was delivered in August 2013 and the company also went on to raise $15.2 million in Series B funding, followed by a $40 million round in December 2014. The product can now be found at Best Buy stores, Target stores and Apple Stores across the country, and has partnered with Beddit and Victoria’s Secret.
See campaign.
