Stacy Chin explains how crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo let creators raise money from future customers through pre-orders and rewards instead of giving up equity. You get early access or discounts, they get upfront cash to build the product.
4. Crowdfunding and presales. Crowdfunding is basically letting your future customers fund you. If you got a consumer product people are excited about, platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo can let you raise money in exchange for rewards or preorders, not equity. You might offer early access or discounts to your early backers, which is great. And this is also a wonderful way to validate demand while getting that upfront cash you need to grow and scale.
