Kickstarter creators have seriously been on fire this month. Even as I write this post more campaigns are launching and raising thousands from eager backers. This month’s list of rapidly funded Kickstarter projects come from a variety of categories, including tabletop games, design, puzzles, crafts, gadgets, and several product design campaigns. My favorite is #6!
1. The Gods War
Creators: Sandy Peterson
Amount Funded: $364K+
Number of Backers: 1K+
Average Pledge per Backer: August 16 – September 15 (30 days)
Duration: $306
From the creator of the popular Kickstarter campaign, Cthulu Wars, comes The Gods War. This is Sandy Peterson’s 12th Kickstarter campaign. This tabletop games project reached its $100,000 funding goal within hours of launching and went on to smash several stretch goals that same day!
The Gods War is a strategy game that takes place in the world of Glorantha, a world on the brink of disaster. This dark fantasy game includes detailed miniatures that fans of Peterson’s games have come to love, along with game-play that encourages players to fight over territory, command monsters, and more. Backers can pledge $125 for the core game on Kickstarter.
2. Cinch! ultimate pop-up tent. Solar power, LED, heat control
Creators: Jake Jackson
Amount Funded: £216K+
Number of Backers: 743+
Average Pledge per Backer: £271
Duration: August 15 – September 16 (32 days)
Love spending time in the great outdoors? You should probably check out this new innovative pop-up tent that will make all of your camping adventures a Cinch! Cinch is a pop-up tent that uses solar power to keep all of your gadgets charged and ready to go. The improved design features a heat-reflective cover, LED lights, and plenty of space to move around.
This campaign is coming two years after the raised £97K on Kickstarter. Now they have come back and so far, they have doubled what they raised in the last campaign in only two days! Backers can get a two-person Cinch! tent for £190 up to a four-person for £230.
3. World’s First Weight-Reducing Backpack
Creators: Keep Pursuing
Amount Funded: $157K+
Number of Backers: 818+
Average Pledge per Backer: $180
Duration: August 9 – September 23 (46 days)
When I was checking out Kickstarter’s popular project for this month I noticed that there were a lot of backpack campaigns, then I realized that back-to-school being around the corner! If you want to be the hippest kid in school this year, check out the selection of innovative backpacks you can find on Kickstarter.
This particular bag is special because it was designed to make 20 pounds feel like 10! What better way to start off the new year than with a bag that makes your heavy textbooks feel a little bit lighter? Along with a unique suspension system that disperses weight better than most backpacks, the Zero-G has a protective laptop compartment, is easy to open, and is designed to be shock and water resistant. You can get your own for as little as $149!
4.Codex Silenda: The Book of Puzzles
Creators: Brady Whitney
Amount Funded: $204K+
Number of Backers: 2.4K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $84
Duration: August 2 – August 31 (29 days)
Codex Silenda is a new, complex, and affordable 5-page puzzle book that reached its $30,000 Kickstarter goal in just 6 hours! Since then Whitney has gone on to raise almost seven times his funding goal. The Codex is a puzzle book that will challenges its users since they have to solve the current puzzle to get to the next page.
An unassembled Codex Silenda was available on Kickstarter for $125, with assembled ones starting at $150. However, in a first for these posts this campaign has actually closed all reward tiers after reaching $200K! This is a great example of a campaign that got bigger than the creators were expecting. They shut down reward tiers early to make sure that they can still meet deadlines and ship to all of their backers with limited staff and machinery. They do have a waiting list for backers who might have missed out on the Kickstarter campaign.
Fun fact, the Codex Silenda is powered by BackerKit, one of our podcast sponsors!
5. “This is Fine” Plush Dog.
Creators: KC Green
Amount Funded: $372K+
Number of Backers: 10K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $36
Duration: August 3 – September 2 (30 days)
Some of you might remember the 2013 comic, Gunshow, that featured a dog in a burning house. This dog became the subject of a popular meme, and in these rough times the creator thought that we could all use a plush dog to hug. The dog is 13” tall and holds a mug that says, “This is fine,” with wide eyes that stare off into the distance.
KC Green is offering backers a bunch of fun rewards for this project. Backers can get one plush for $25, a plush with a fold-up burning house display, stickers and a magnet for $35, and more. The creators only ask that you don’t burn the poor dogs, just hug them.
6. Shoka Bell: The Ultimate City Cycling Tool
Creators: Daniel Falus
Amount Funded: $159K+
Number of Backers: 1.4K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $114
Duration: August 2 – September 1 (30 days)
Shoka Bell is a smart cycling tool that helps you get around your city as efficiently and as safely as possible. The Shoka Bell has 8 different tones and rings that can be used either for cars or pedestrians, giving you a chance to choose a sound that is right for the situation. The bell takes into account the sound levels around you and adjusts itself accordingly, so that you’re heard but not louder than you need to be.
This great device also uses Bluetooth navigation to make sure that you can always find your way to familiar territory if you get lost. The Shoka Bell itself connects to your bike magnetically. If you leave your bike with the Shoka Bell base attached and your bike is moved, the app will notify you as long as you are within 250 meters. The bell also has an automatic front light to help you stay visible, with 8 LEDs that also adjust to your surroundings. Early bird Shoka Bells currently start at $99!
7. PRVKE 21 | The Best Bag For Everyday Carry & Camera Gear
Creators: WANDRD
Amount Funded: $157K+
Number of Backers: 787+
Average Pledge per Backer: $201
Duration: August 8 – September 16 (39 days)
PRVKE 21 (pronounced ‘provoke’) is the second backpack Kickstarter campaign featured this month, but this one is pretty different. This is WANDRD’s second Kickstarter campaign. Their first PRVKE bag was very successful and has even won awards. Now they have come back with an improved version that takes into account some suggestions they received from customers.
The PRVKE 21 bag is designed with photographers and travelers in mind but also makes a great everyday bag. It is roomy, with compartments that anticipate any need you pay have. PRVKE 21 holds a 15” laptop, with easy passport access in the back where it can’t be stolen while you are wearing the bag. The bag is waterproof so that you can carry valuable belongings and not have to worry about unpredictable weather. A limited number of backers can still get an early bird PRVKE 21 on Kickstarter for $149!
8. Kachula 2.0- The Packable Multi-Use Adventure Blanket
Creators: Coalatree
Amount Funded: 127K+
Number of Backers: 1.7K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $72
Duration: August 1 – August 31 (30 days)
Kachula 2.0 is a versatile, environmentally-friendly adventure blanket that is great for travelers and families alike. This blanket is made to be water resistant but soft, and repels everything from liquids to dirt to sand. Kachula 2.0 keeps you warm and comfortable for any occasion. It converts to a poncho with a removable hood for bad weather or it can be compactly folded to take with you or use as a perfectly sized travel pillow.
Kachula 2.0 even has a small compartment where you can keep your valuables so they won’t get wet or lost. This is the second version of the Kachula blanket by Coalatree, and they are excited to introduce it to the Kickstarter community. Backers can get the Kachula 2.0 for $50 on Kickstarter now.
Conclusion
Together, all of these Kickstarter campaigns combined have raised over $1.8 million dollars in August with time left to spare! It’s interesting to see how that number goes up as more creators get the hang of crowdfunding and raising larger amounts is more common.
Check out 15 Super Cool Kickstarter Products You Can Now Buy on Amazon for more great crowdfunded items!
Which project is your favorite?
