Crowdfunding started as a way to fund small projects and rally a community of investors around them–but over the past couple of years, it has turned into a serious funding machine. As our nascent Hall of Fame shows, this type of funding can rocket small startups into the rarefied air of venture-capital-backed companies and build a vast customer base before the first product even ships.

Design

$10,266,845 raised

(Kickstarter)
Pebble
A digital watch that connects to your smartphone.

Fashion

$1,053,830 raised

(Kickstarter)
The 10-Year Hoodie by Flint and Tinder
A sweatshirt with a 10-year guarantee.

Food

$586,061 raised

(Kickstarter)
Nomiku
A sous-vide cooker for the home.

Fitness

$846,675 raised

(Indiegogo)
Misfit Shine by Misfit Wearables
An all-metal wearable wireless activity tracker.

Technology

$2,945,885 raised

(Kickstarter)
Form 1 by Formlabs
An affordable 3-D printer.

Home

$2,278,891 raised

(Selfstarter)
Lockitron by Apigy
A smartphone-enabled keyless-entry device.

Mobile

$12,813,501 raised

(Indiegogo)
Ubuntu Edge by Canonical
This smartphone operates as a PC when plugged into a monitor.

Health

$1,664,375 raised

(Indiegogo)
Scanadu Scout
This scanner reads vital signs and sends them to a smartphone.

All-time Record

$17,782,675 and counting

(Kickstarter/Cloud Imperium Games)
Star Citizen by Cloud Imperium Games
A space-simulation game for your PC.