Crowdfunding heavyweight, Kickstar, just released its 2012 year in review. They observed a monumental increase in all-around activity from funding pledged ($320M) to backer participation(2.24M).
However, the portion of these funds that went to technology projects was just 9%, with most directed at theater, music, gaming, and design. Will there be the interest behind more obscure, developmentally-rigorous technology projects to garner mass attention? You can crowdfund an art studio and a dancing bear, but can you crowdfund biotech?
Could crowdfunding be a new capital paradigm for early-stage, technology-based technologies or start-ups OR will it have a short shelf life? Time (and pending policy) will tell!
Review Kickstarters stats for 2012:
http://www.kickstarter.com/year/2012
