TCrowdfunding on Indiegogo empowers people to unite around the ideas that matter to them, and together make those ideas come to life. Whether you're searching for the latest in tech, supporting your favorite independent filmmaker, or helping an important cause, you can find something that inspires you on Indiegogo. Crowdfunding generates exciting opportunities for backers and entrepreneurs alike, but there are some facts that all backers should know. It is essential to understand that backing a campaign and claiming a perk is not the same as buying an item online. Instead, supporting a crowdfunding idea on a platform like Indiegogo means you help a work-in-progress project, idea, or cause. We want to let our community dream big, so we don't have criteria for what kind of project can become an Indiegogo campaign other than what's outlined in our Terms of Use. That said, we know that deciding to support a project can seem daunting, so here are a few links to help you get started:

Product Stages allow backers to discover campaigns under the Tech & Innovation category with physical products in different product development stages. What do the different Product Stages mean? The Product Stage categories mean the following: Concept: Campaigns in the "Concept" stage have an idea for a physical product they plan to create. This plan may include mock-ups or 3D renderings that demonstrate the product's appearance or functionality when produced. Prototype: Campaigns in the "Prototype" stage have a working version of their physical product that successfully demonstrates the final product's key features and functionality. Production: Campaigns in the "Production" stage have a working version of their physical product, are currently producing this product for backers and can highlight the current production stage with images or video support (i.e., tooling, molds, manufactured components, the final product in the factory). Shipping: Campaigns in the "Shipping" stage have already produced their final product and have begun shipping it to backers. How do we approve product stages? Our team reviews everything listed on the campaign page (we see all the same information as you!). If there is adequate information, the page is ready for the Product Stage the campaigner has selected. What is the Product Stage process? First, campaigners select the desired Product Stage and include specific information related to their production process on their campaign page or updates. Next, Indiegogo reviews the information given, decides the appropriate Product Stage, and notifies the campaigner. Does every campaign start at the same stage? No, Indiegogo is an open platform and welcomes campaigners at any point in the development cycle. Where can I learn more about a campaign's progress? We suggest you read over the campaign page (story, updates, comments, etc.) and look at the information campaigners include. The videos and photos are useful resources to learn about the product's development. Why don't all campaigns have product stages? Product Stages are only available to campaigns that fall under Tech & Innovation with physical products. What campaigns fall under Tech & Innovation? Audio Camera Gear Energy & Green Tech Fashion & Wearables Food & Beverages Health & Fitness Home Phones & Accessories Productivity Transportation Travel & Outdoors How do I know if a campaign has a specific Product Stage? All Product Stage badges are above the Overview section on a campaign page. If a campaign does not have a physical product, it cannot receive a Product Stage badge.

Contributing to an Indiegogo campaign is not the same thing as purchasing in a store. By contributing to a campaign, you support an idea, project, or cause. One of the significant parts of crowdfunding is pitching in and helping ideas you'd like to see come to life! It's gratifying to see projects that you fund go from the idea phase, see the stages of its development, and (if all goes according to plan) succeed. It's important to know that you are not buying an existing product. Like anyone getting in on an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project may experiences changes, delays, unforeseen challenges, and a funded project might not come to fruition. We leave it up to you to make your judgment about a campaign's merits before contributing. We've compiled the following list, as a starting point, to help you evaluate a campaign before making your contribution: The campaign's pitch should be clear, transparent, and reflect the team's passion and hard work. Is the pitch transparent and personal? How about the perk info? Any images of the perks? Descriptions? Does the pitch text provide any perk fulfillment information? When would you get your perk? Has The Campaign Already Raised Funds? Successful projects usually secure a strong funding base from close family and friends who personally know the campaign owners. Screen_Shot_2018-02-26_at_8.43.47_AM.png Has The Campaigner Added Any Content To Their Updates Tabs? The "Updates" tab is used by campaign owners to keep their contributors informed on their project's progress. Where Else Can You Find Information About The Project? Be sure you review the 'Campaigner Profile Cards.' Visit the "Websites" the campaign owner has chosen to list and review its information, experience, and past projects. Need more information about the Campaign Owner? Do a quick web search on the project, company, campaign owner, and team members to find out more information about who they are and decide if you would want to do business with them. What We Do. Indiegogo has a comprehensive system in place to protect contributors from potentially fraudulent campaigns. Learn more. If you see a campaign that you believe to violate our Terms of Use, you can immediately flag the campaign. Click on the "Let us know" link, located at the bottom of every campaign page. Related Articles: Campaigner Profile Cards Does Indiegogo Guarantee Perks? The More Information, The Better. For a campaign to succeed, its team should have a thoughtful pitch that clarifies how they will use the funds they raise to move their project forward. Campaigns that aren't transparent with their story, goals, and project status tend not to attract contributors. Before you contribute to any campaign, assess its story. Ask yourself a few questions: Who Are The People Behind The Campaign? The campaign owner and any team members are in the 'Campaigner Profile Cards,' located below the Campaign Owner's Name. Click "About" to see more information about the campaign owner and the team behind the campaign. Who are they? Why are they raising money? What are their backgrounds and experience? Why are they passionate? Are photos of the team members included? Does the campaigner appear in the campaign's video? Are external links included (websites, news/media coverage, etc.)? If their background and motivation for the project are not evident in the pitch, you can always do a web search to learn more about their professional experience and how it may relate to the project. What Is The Campaign Raising Money To Do?

ampaigners can provide personal details about themselves and add links to their social media or websites directly on their campaign pages. At-a-glance information about campaigners. Campaigners often want to display additional information to give potential backers more knowledge and confidence in their campaign; backers often ask if we have any further information about the people behind campaigns. Backers can see critical information about the campaigner right next to the campaign's pitch video or image. Screen_Shot_2018-02-09_at_4.06.25_PM.png This information helps backers make well-informed decisions about funding a campaign. Want to learn more about the people behind the campaign? Click "More" for an in-depth overview. What information can campaigners share? Campaigner Avatar & Biography: Who is the campaigner? Verifications: Links to verified social media accounts (LinkedIn and Facebook) and confirmation that the campaigner has confirmed his/her email address. Impact: See the campaigner's history on Indiegogo. Has the campaigner run any other campaigns on Indiegogo? Did the campaigner support any other campaigns on Indiegogo? Has the campaigner commented on any campaigns? Recent Activity: See the last action taken by the campaign team. Has the campaigner posted an Update, added new team members, or added new images, etc. Team Members: Who else is helping make this campaign a reality? Please hover over the ID icon to find out what they verified. Websites: Find links to external sites where you can find more information on the project. What information should backers consider before deciding whether to contribute to a campaign? When deciding whether or not to fund a campaign, you should make your assessment and consider all available information, including the following: Who are the people behind the campaign? How much experience do the campaigners have in their field? What is the campaign raising money for, and how will my contribution be used? Do the campaigners have a clear vision and a business plan? Has the campaign owner been transparent about the risks and challenges? For more information on how to vet campaigns, visit this article. Do campaigners have to provide this information? No, this is entirely optional, but it's in the best interest of campaigners to provide as much information as possible so potential backers can make well-informed decisions about funding a campaign. When potential backers have a good understanding of you and your campaign, they are more likely to feel confident in supporting your campaign and sharing with their networks. Will campaigners' email addresses be displayed? Indiegogo does not display the email address on the campaign page. The campaigner always has the option to share their email address on the campaign page. Also, Indiegogo may exercise the option to share the campaigner's name, email address, and other contact information with any backer who alleges the campaigner has failed to comply with campaign commitments. These commitments range from perk fulfillment to being non-responsive to backers.