With summer now in full swing, it’s time to get yourself in the right mindset. Your priorities should be—in no particular order—beach, summer ales, the Red Sox, and catching up on sleep. It’s no time for side projects. But you can still contribute to cool projects by chipping in on crowdfunding website Kickstarter.
Though project creators won’t offer you a stake in their product or company in return for your investment, they do offer you a number of great incentives. For example you could have a character named after you in a comic, you could be listed as a producer for a short film, or you could receive a retail pack of the product before anyone else. To help you get started, I’ve compiled a list of 4 projects I found that I think are poised to make it big and that you should invest in during the summer.
1. Kick
Kick is a pocket-sized lighting application that allows you to animate lighting effects for your photos and videos. Also an iOS app, Kick features special effects like lightning storms, blazing fires, and strobe lights. More impressively, Kick offers colors and patters that span the entire light spectrum. Expect big things from Kick and their developers. They’ve compiled 840 total backers, raised $148,466 (129% of their goal), and still have 18 days remaining on their deadline.
It’s almost July. That means thermometer readings are on the rise. If you happen to work in a strictly professional-style office or are forced to wear button-down shirts everyday, you don’t have to worry about the nasty sweat stains that seep through your clothes anymore. Introducing Ministry of Supply, the Cambridge company responsible for the Apollo series dress shirts. The Apollo is outfitted with NASA spacesuit technology to pull heat away from your body and redistribute it when needed. Its also wrinkle free and masks unwanted odors. Ministry of Supply has raised $119,746 dollars (399% of their goal) with 12 days remaining on their deadline. Invest now and secure yourself a piece of fashion’s sweat-free future, custom fitted of course.
3. beyC
Sick of using GarageBand when trying to become the next Jay-Z? BeyC is an audio software program used for sound engineering and music production. What sets beyC apart from similar programs is that it comes with training materials so that you don’t have to waste any time trying to maneuver your way about the software. If successful beyC hopes to roll out apps for iOS, followed by Android. Get started in scoring the soundtrack of your indie flick; add sound to the video game you’re designing; tune your band’s vocal and instrumental tracks. BeyC still has 33 days left to reach their goal of $24 thousand but so far has raised $26,55 from 16 different backers.
If you clicked the link to Virga Video’s Kickstarter page, I understand your initial skepticism. Yes, their welcome video is a bit cheesy and the graphics aren’t ones that you expect from an up-and-coming video editing program. But hold on a second. This guy has been building the program in his spare time and it’s been self-funded. Imagine the quality movies you can produce when the software has some real funding behind it. As of now with Virga Video you can add texts and graphics, utilize color correction, transition between different videos, and it supports a slew of video formats. Virga Video’s 18 backers have already contributed a total of $534, but there are only 25 days left for them to reach their goal of $175 thousand.
