Crowdfunding Projects: Overview of the 10 Most Successful Crowdfunding Projects from Germany
Crowdfunding refers to the financing of projects or ventures by the masses, i.e., the users. There are dedicated websites on the market for this purpose. One of the best-known crowdfunding providers is Kickstarter.com. Thanks to corresponding campaigns, many projects have been implemented that otherwise could not have been realized, primarily for financial reasons.
Crowdfunding has also arrived in Germany, and various projects from the Federal Republic have been realized thanks to platforms like Kickstarter. In this article, we present to you the ten most successful crowdfunding projects from Germany and show you what they are about.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- 1 Crowdfunding Projects: Overview of the 10 Most Successful Crowdfunding Projects from Germany
- 1.1 We help you raise successful crowdfunding financing
- 1.2 The Key Points at a Glance
- 1.3 When Is Crowdfunding Worthwhile? For Which Projects?
- 1.4 How Does Crowdfunding Work?
- 1.5 The 10 Most Successful Crowdfunding Projects from Germany
- 1.6 We help you raise successful crowdfunding financing
- 1.7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Crowdfunding
- 1.8 The Most Successful German Crowdfunding Projects – Conclusion
- 1.9 Free Consultation
- 1.10 Further Articles
| Crowdfunding platforms – overview | |
| ⭐ Requirement: | Crowdfunding platforms |
| 🏆 Duration: | Approximately 3 months |
| 💰 Costs: | Project-specific |
| 📺 Goal: | Raise crowdfunding financing |
| ⚡ Technologies and knowledge: | Social media, website, video, email newsletter |
We help you raise successful crowdfunding financing
Platform |
Rating |
Special features |
More info |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Rating: 9.8 |
|
|
 |
Rating: 8.2 |
|
|
 |
Rating: 7.3 |
|
Project |
Evaluation |
Description |
Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| |
Smart headphones. | About the project | |
| |
A film about the history of BVB 09. | ||
| |
An electric scooter with large tires. | ||
| |
A pocket-sized network tester. | About the project | |
| |
Smart climate control for your home. | About the project |
The Key Points at a Glance
• In crowdfunding, users financially support a project.
• Crowdfunding has made many projects possible in the first place.
• Crowdfunding has now also taken off in Germany.
• In Germany alone, many projects have been implemented thanks to crowdfunding.
Platform |
Evaluation |
Land |
Costs |
Description |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
USA | 5% + payment fees | Market leader in the crowdfunding scene. | Start campaign |
When Is Crowdfunding Worthwhile? For Which Projects?
Crowdfunding aims to enable projects or give them a chance that otherwise could not be realized for financial reasons. Moreover, a well-executed crowdfunding campaign can be an excellent marketing tool. But crowdfunding is not suitable for every project. The reason is that the respective platforms have clear requirements and guidelines. In the end, this means that the project must be realistic. You also need to have already started working on the project and achieved a demonstrable progress. Ideally, there is already a functioning prototype—an MVP or, in the case of software, a pre-alpha version. What matters is that you can show something that works. Apart from these points, you can launch a crowdfunding campaign for any project.
How Does Crowdfunding Work?
Before we now look at the ten most successful crowdfunding projects from Germany, let’s see how crowdfunding actually works. The idea behind the concept is very simple: the community or crowd provides the funding. A project chooses one of the many platforms in the scene and launches a corresponding campaign there. As part of the campaign, the project is presented through videos and images. There is also a project description, a whitepaper, and a roadmap. Users can view the project, ask questions, and support it if they are interested. In return, after the project starts, they receive so-called perks or benefits.
Most crowdfunding campaigns run for two weeks to 30 days. Longer durations are possible but are rarely seen. At the end of the campaign, you receive the collected funds. At some platforms, you must also set a financial goal for your campaign. If this goal is not reached, the supporters get their money back. Crowdfunding is an interesting alternative and offers smaller or financially weak but promising projects the chance to make it to market.
The 10 Most Successful Crowdfunding Projects from Germany
In this section, we introduce you to the ten most successful crowdfunding projects from Germany and briefly present them. This gives you an overview of the companies that have tried crowdfunding and shows which projects achieved success.
One of the most successful crowdfunding projects from Germany is The Dash. This is a smart earphone. The earbuds can do more than just play music—they can also take calls, track health and fitness data, etc. The design is unique and extravagant. The idea clearly resonated—not only in Germany but worldwide. In total, the project raised the equivalent of around €2.5 million on Kickstarter.
Project Overview
Platform:
Kickstarter
Amount raised:
approximately 2.5 million euros
Special features:
The most successful project from Germany.
| Platform: | Kickstarter |
| Amount raised: | approximately 2.5 million euros |
| Special features: | The most successful project from Germany. |
Project 2: Panono Panorama Camera
Panono is a panorama ball and a project by Jonas Pfeil. On Indiegogo, the German entrepreneur raised the equivalent of almost €920 000—so far a record for Germany on the platform. Panono is a ball equipped with 36 cameras that automatically takes a panorama photo when thrown up into the air. The idea clearly resonated worldwide, as the high interest in the project shows.
Project Overview
Platform:
Indiegogo
Amount raised:
approx. 920,000 euros
Special features:
A ball with panoramic cameras to throw up in the air.
| Platform: | Indiegogo |
| Amount raised: | approx. 920,000 euros |
| Special features: | A ball with panoramic cameras to throw up in the air. |
The Berlin-based company Bonaverde came up with an unusual idea: a new coffee machine that not only brews coffee and grinds the beans but also roasts the green beans. The result? An extremely fresh and flavorful coffee. Users order the necessary beans via the Bonaverde website—direct from the farmer at fair prices. This way, everyone can help counter exploitation. The idea was apparently well received. Bonaverde’s Kickstarter campaign raised about €500 000, proving that not only software and gadgets can succeed on the platform.
Project Overview
Platform:
Kickstarter
Amount raised:
approximately 500,000 euros
Special features:
A coffee project that benefits both customers and farmers.
| Platform: | Kickstarter |
| Amount raised: | approximately 500,000 euros |
| Special features: | A coffee project that benefits both customers and farmers. |
Project 4: Film “Born at Borsigplatz”
Germany is known for its football and its fans. Many clubs have existed since the founding of the Bundesliga, most with a long and unmistakable tradition. One of these clubs is BVB 09 Borussia Dortmund, one of the Bundesliga’s most successful teams. The film “Born at Borsigplatz” depicts the club’s history and the life of founding father Franz Jacobi. The project evidently generated much enthusiasm. On the German crowdfunding platform Startnext, almost €220 000 was raised for the project.
Project Overview
Platform:
Startnext
Amount raised:
approx. 220,000 euros
Special features:
Most successful project on the German platform StartNext.
| Platform: | Startnext |
| Amount raised: | approx. 220,000 euros |
| Special features: | Most successful project on the German platform StartNext. |
Project 5: Tinkerbots Building Blocks
Tinkerbots are a novel form of building blocks—some call it the Lego of the future. It seems the project generated great excitement, likely because many backers reminisced about their own time playing with colorful blocks. On Indiegogo, nearly €215 000 was raised, a sign that the idea resonates and has a future.
Project Overview
Platform:
Indiegogo
Amount raised:
approx. 215,000 euros
Special features:
A new type of Lego brick.
| Platform: | Indiegogo |
| Amount raised: | approx. 215,000 euros |
| Special features: | A new type of Lego brick. |
We help you raise successful crowdfunding financing
Platform |
Rating |
Special features |
More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| |
Rating: 9.8 |
|
|
| |
Rating: 8.2 |
|
|
| |
Rating: 7.3 |
|
Project 6: Magic Light iC Dynamo
With a very special idea, Frank Strothmann particularly excited cyclists. The Magnic Light iC is a bicycle light that generates power without touching the tire yet still shines brightly. Strothmann uses vortex technology: as the wheel turns, two magnets move to generate the necessary electricity. This novel idea was worth nearly €170 000 to the Kickstarter community.
Project Overview
Platform:
Kickstarter
Amount raised:
approx. 170,000 euros
Special features:
Dynamo for generating light without tire contact.
| Platform: | Kickstarter |
| Amount raised: | approx. 170,000 euros |
| Special features: | Dynamo for generating light without tire contact. |
Project 7: Scrooser Electric Scooter
The Scrooser is an electric scooter with thick tires and a lightweight build, developed by a Dresden startup. The goal: make city travel easier, more comfortable, and eco-friendly. This initiative clearly resonated. On Kickstarter, the project raised about €140 000. The Scrooser is now available on the market for just under €4 000.
Project Overview
Platform:
Kickstarter
Amount raised:
approx. 140,000 euros
Special features:
Electric scooters for exploring the city.
| Platform: | Kickstarter |
| Amount raised: | approx. 140,000 euros |
| Special features: | Electric scooters for exploring the city. |
Project 8: Game “Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams”
Some of you may remember the cult classic Project Giana for PC—a Super Mario clone from the ’80s. The German studio Black Forest Games wanted to create a modern sequel for the former hit. The idea resonated and was a success. On Kickstarter, the company raised almost €140 000. The game is now available under the name Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams for €13.
Project Overview
Platform:
Kickstarter
Amount raised:
approx. 140,000 euros
Special features:
Remake of the classic PC game from the 1980s (Mario clone).
| Platform: | Kickstarter |
| Amount raised: | approx. 140,000 euros |
| Special features: | Remake of the classic PC game from the 1980s (Mario clone). |
Project 9: Pockethernet Network Tester
Pockethernet is a compact network tester that can test both networks and network cables. The device is extremely small and fits easily in a pocket—hence the name Pocket. Pockethernet displays test results on a smartphone. The idea from the German startup Pocket Hardware resonated. On Indiegogo, the company raised nearly €140 000. On the market, Pockethernet is priced at €150, making it more affordable than competitors.
Project Overview
Platform:
Indiegogo
Amount raised:
approx. 140,000 euros
Special features:
Compact network tester in pocket size.
| Platform: | Indiegogo |
| Amount raised: | approx. 140,000 euros |
| Special features: | Compact network tester in pocket size. |
Project 10: Tado Climate Control
This project from the Munich startup Tado is clearly aimed at an international audience in hot, warm climates. The smart climate controller helps regulate the air conditioner. The accompanying app on a tablet or smartphone detects where the occupant is located and automatically sets the temperature to a predefined value. The idea resonated. On Kickstarter, Tado’s climate control raised nearly €140 000. The device is now available on the market.
Project Overview
Platform:
Kickstarter
Amount raised:
approx. 140,000 euros
Special features:
Program for intelligent air conditioning control.
| Platform: | Kickstarter |
| Amount raised: | approx. 140,000 euros |
| Special features: | Program for intelligent air conditioning control. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Crowdfunding
Now that we have familiarized you with the most successful crowdfunding projects from Germany, you may be considering launching your own campaign. Before making that decision, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of crowdfunding. Therefore, in this section, we briefly present the key pros and cons.
The Advantages
A crowdfunding campaign offers a variety of advantages. You have already encountered most of them throughout the article. Here, we summarize the most important benefits of a crowdfunding campaign once more. They are:
• Financial support for your project.
• Increased visibility for your project.
• Crowdfunding is an excellent marketing tool.
• Early community building of supporters and interested parties.
The Disadvantages
Of course, despite all the positive aspects, a crowdfunding campaign also has some drawbacks. You should be aware of these and keep the following key disadvantages in mind when deciding on a crowdfunding campaign; otherwise, you may face unpleasant surprises. The main drawbacks are:
• Potentially high additional costs.
• Depending on the platform, payout only upon reaching the funding goal.
• Sometimes stringent requirements and conditions for participation.
Crowdfunding – The Main Pros and Cons at a Glance
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
