Crowdfunding Academy

<p>Join us on a journey through the exciting world of crowdfunding! In this podcast, we delve into the latest trends, strategies, and success stories in the realm of raising funds for creative projects and innovative startups. From Kickstarter to Indiegogo and beyond, we bring you insights and tips from experts, entrepreneurs, and backers alike. Whether you're a seasoned crowdfunder or just starting out, this podcast is your ultimate resource for navigating the exciting and dynamic world of crowdfunding.</p>

Raising $250k with AI for cats, the Pawly story

In this podcast episode we're talking to Frank Carlson, the founder of Pawly AI Cat Door. Frank shares his journey from conceptualizing an AI-enabled cat door that prevents cats from bringing prey into the house, to raising over $250,000 from almost 700 backers in his first crowdfunding campaign. Despite facing shipping delays and learning on the go, particularly in marketing and public relations, Frank and his team have successfully navigated the challenges of bringing a new product to marke...

04-26
27:40

Make your campaign page pop w/ videographer Tim Chuon

Tim Chuon, a specialized board game photographer and videographer known for creating stunning visual content for popular games such as Scythe, Mythwind, Frosthaven, and Call of Duty, explains his journey into this niche field, detailing the process of making crowdfunding trailers and marketing assets for board games. He provides insights into the importance of high-quality visuals in crowdfunding campaigns and offers practical tips for creators on a budget. Listen and find out more about the ...

04-18
25:56

Steamforged Games: $30m raised & this is just the start

Today's podcast features Rich Loxam, former teacher turned CEO and co-founder of Steamforged Games. Rich shares the remarkable journey of his company, from its humble beginnings with a successful Kickstarter campaign for Guild Ball to becoming a major player in the gaming industry with over 170,000 backers and $30 million raised across 19 projects. Rich discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating crowdfunding, the transition from being an impassioned hobbyist to a business-minded CEO,...

03-20
31:14

Dreaming Big with Ozlo Sleep: From Idea to $3.5 Million Dollar Success

On today's episode, we're talking to Bryant Garvin, the head of marketing at Ozlo Sleep. He discusses Ozlo's journey of launching a successful product on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo, which raised over $3.5 million combined. Bryant shares insights on the importance of a unique product, strategic marketing, and leveraging crowdfunding platforms for building community and gaining momentum. He details the origins of the sleep buds, initially a Bose product, and the transition to forming ...

03-05
42:41

Becoming a Profitable Game Publisher with Van Ryder Games

In this podcast episode, George interviews AJ Porfirio, the founder of Van Ryder Games, who shares his journey from starting with a Kickstarter campaign in 2011 that raised $10,000 to building a multi-million dollar gaming business. AJ talks about the lessons learned from bootstrapping his way to success, generating over $6.5 million from crowdfunding, and now mentoring others through his Power Publishing Program. AJ delves into the importance of critical thinking in game pricing, strategic f...

02-28
32:56

Jack's Magic Mushrooms: the Mycelia Story

Jack Neville, the founder of Split Stone Games and creator of the board game 'Mycelia,' shares how he went from a graphic designer to a revered game publisher, raising over $550,000 on Kickstarter. He discusses his tried-and-true strategies, including building a responsive mailing list, utilising resources like Reddit for feedback, convention appearances for awareness, cost-effective solutions (thank you Chip & Kitty), and why you should always create a premium version of your product. Ja...

01-16
27:47

Starting from 0, This is a True Story of Perseverance w/ Mindclash Games

This episode is a conversation with Viktor Peter, the founder of Mindclash Games. He discusses his journey in the crowdfunding industry, starting from his first campaign to the current one, Perseverance Castaway Chronicles. He touches upon topics such as the decision to quit his job, the importance of having the right product and target audience, and the switch from Kickstarter to Gamefound. Viktor also talks about the game design process, the significance of theme and visual appeal, and the ...

12-06
26:56

From Waiting Tables to Tabletop Millions w/ Tiny Epic's Michael Coe

This is the story of how Tiny Epic turned Michael Coe’s fortune around. While waiting tables, Michael Coe and his wife took out a loan against their car to go all-in on their tabletop venture and ended up creating one of the most successful franchises in crowdfunding history.He discusses crowdfunding strategies, the evolution of his business model, the impact of creative elements like a 'spinner' in games, and the importance of pre-launch marketing for Kickstarter projects.Michael also stress...

11-28
27:22

From Hobby to Big Business with Battle Systems

Listen to the Story of Battle Systems. Colin Young, the founder and main designer of Battle Systems, shares his journey from creating terrain for war games to launching a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $2.5 million across eight crowdfunding campaigns. He discusses the challenges of running a business, the importance of community and mentorship, and the future plans for Battle Systems. This podcast provides insight into the world of independent game creation and the passio...

10-30
32:49

Art, Cheese and Millions of Dollars, the Story of R2I Games

This episode features Andrew and Jeff from R2i Games, who uncover the intricacies of Kickstarter campaigns, board game design, and the evolving dynamics of community engagement. Discover why a French cheese-themed game stirred a particular reaction and how strategic planning can be a game-changer months before a Kickstarter launch. If you've ever been intrigued by the behind-the-scenes world of board game development or the hidden nuances of crowdfunding, this conversation will offer valuable...

10-23
22:49

Using trade shows for your crowfdunding project w/ Bezier Games

George sits down with Kevin, the spokesperson and trade show manager from Bezier Games -- who are the brilliant minds behind the wildly entertaining game, "Colossal Cat in the Box" & "Castles of Mad King Ludwig." Together, they unpack the secrets to hosting a successful and budget-friendly trade show experience. From cost-effective booth strategies, like using rented U-Hauls, to the magic of Amazon for last-minute supplies, Kevin highlights the art of making an impression with...

09-20
28:20

The (Post)Curious case of Rita Orlovs’s $650k puzzle campaigns

In this episode, George sits down with Rita Orlov, the creative force behind games like The Emerald Flame, The Light in the Mist, and Threads of Fate. She's also the founder of her own board game and puzzle publishing house PostCurious. Rita recounts her journey from simply loving puzzles to becoming a game designer, sharing candid insights from her crowdfunding experiences and the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey. They delve into the practical challenges of Facebook ads and the ...

09-05
23:01

Bird Buddy's $11m marketing strategies unpacked

In this episode, George sits down for a chat with Peter, part of the marketing team behind Bird Buddy, the innovative smart bird feeder. Their two projects have raised over $11 million on Kickstarter. The conversation dives deep into the world of digital marketing, from the unpredictable virality of TikTok to the reliable reach of platforms like Facebook and Google. But it's not all about metrics and numbers. At its core, Bird Buddy thrives on its vibrant community, with dedicated Faceb...

08-28
23:41

From Games Workshop to $11m on Kickstarter: the remarkable Ronnie Renton story

Join us as gaming industry veteran Ronnie Renton shares his rich history in the world of tabletop gaming, the ins and outs of acquiring licenses, and the secrets to Kickstarter success. From Mantic Games’ origins to acquiring popular licenses like "The Walking Dead," Ronnie delves into the complex relationships between creators, licensors, and the community. In this enlightening conversation, Ronnie offers sage advice on crowdfunding, emphasizing the importance of engaging with your backers a...

08-16
35:32

Discord Wizardry that got Matthew Meeple's campaign for Ascendancy funded in 10 minutes

Matthew Meeple shares his extensive approach to the preparation for his long awaited Kickstarter campaign for his board game Ascendancy. From organizing playtesting sessions to learning all about Facebook ads, Matthew takes you on his personal journey towards his Kickstarter launch, which had been five years in the making. He launched his campaign on Kickstarter this week and is finally able to share all his hard work with the rest of us. At the heart of his strategy, Matthew emphasizes...

08-10
28:07

Raising over $300k for the Eldfall Chronicles Universe

Žiga and Samo, the creators of the Eldfall Chronicles universe, talk about their impressive miniature gaming experience that has been taking the gaming community by storm. They discuss the meticulous attention to detail and quality they've invested into their products, carving out their unique niche in the highly competitive miniature wargaming market.The duo talks about the business side of things, revealing how they navigated the challenges of their first campaign, eventually growing their ...

07-24
27:50

Outranking Nike's SEO with Shark Tank alum Teddy Giard from Moonwalkers

In this episode, George interviews Teddy Giard, the founder of Teddy Giard Studios, who shares his expertise in successful crowdfunding campaigns. Teddy discusses his experience with launching Moon Walkers' AI-powered shoes on Kickstarter and securing a deal on Shark Tank while still a student. He reveals the strategies he used to generate organic reach and PR for the Moon Walkers campaign, including a content strategy based on SEO and key search terms. Teddy emphasizes the importance of...

07-11
27:28

A/B Testing Your Way To $3 Million On Kickstarter w/ Brendan McCaskell

In this episode, George interviews Brendan McCaskell, the studio head at Open Owl Studios, who has successfully launched multiple board games through crowdfunding campaigns. Brendan shares his journey from a modest $28,000 campaign to raising over $3 million combined for his games, including Stars of Akarios, Mythwind, and Stonesaga. Brendan explains that his passion for board games and the crowdfunding model led him to venture into the space. He emphasizes his entrepreneurial mindset and the...

06-28
27:40

Tabletop Legend Jamey Stegmaier on the Future of Crowdfunding

If you're involved in crowdfunding, you've probably heard of Jamey Stegmaier, the founder of Stonemaier Games, who has raised millions of dollars with successful campaigns on Kickstarter. But did you know that he's now stopped using Kickstarter for his projects? In this episode, we delve into Stegmaier's early beginnings in crowdfunding, how he learned from his mistakes and built a blog that became mandatory reading for creators in the tabletop space. And most importantly, why he decided to s...

06-20
24:54

Dragori Games on how they managed to raise $6m

In this inspiring episode, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Dragori Games, a Brazilian team of eclectic professionals who dared to follow their passion and disrupt the gaming industry. Among them, a pediatrician, a lawyer, and other professionals, exemplify the power of self-study, resilience, and the willingness to learn on the go. Their leap of faith into the unknown world of game design and crowdfunding has not only created a game that has drawn a wave of positive reviews b...

06-09
22:52

Recommend Channels