Crowdfunding Academy

If you're involved in crowdfunding, you've probably heard of Jamey Stegmaier, the founder of Stonemaier Games, who has raised millions of dollars with successful campaigns on Kickstarter. But did you know that he's now stopped using Kickstarter for his projects? In this episode, we delve into Stegmaier's early beginnings in crowdfunding, how he learned from his mistakes and built a blog that became mandatory reading for creators in the tabletop space. And most importantly, why he decided to stop using Kickstarter after his biggest campaign and turn to trusted fulfillment centers and retailers instead. Listen in to learn from Jamey and get insights on where the crowdfunding industry is heading in the years to come.

Check out his website or follow him on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. 

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In this inspiring episode, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Dragori Games, a Brazilian team of eclectic professionals who dared to follow their passion and disrupt the gaming industry. Among them, a pediatrician, a lawyer, and other professionals, exemplify the power of self-study, resilience, and the willingness to learn on the go. 

Their leap of faith into the unknown world of game design and crowdfunding has not only created a game that has drawn a wave of positive reviews but also revolutionized their professional paths. Despite lacking game design and marketing experience, they managed to raise an impressive $6 million for their game series.

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In this engaging episode, we join Matthew Legault, a crucial team member behind the exciting new "Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game." Inspired by the hit video game, this board game adaptation has already taken the gaming world by storm, raising nearly $1 million on Kickstarter. Matthew takes us behind the scenes of his role, illustrating the creative journey from experienced publishers of over 40 titles to creators of their first original game.

The discussion also sheds light on the company's strategic choice for crowdfunding and the passion driving this ambitious project. Unique to this endeavor is the fact that it's spearheaded by professionals who are not just industry veterans, but also dedicated fans of the Dead Cells video game. This episode is a compelling listen for gaming enthusiasts, crowdfunding innovators, and anyone captivated by the intersection of passion and professionalism.

Check out their Kickstarter here and their website here. 

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In today's episode, we are joined by Bruce Shapiro and Micah Roth from Sisyphus Industries, the minds behind the revolutionary kinetic art tables. From a chance meeting at a Makerspace in Minneapolis, these two innovators have come together to create an intriguing blend of art, design, and technology, raising over 3 million dollars through crowdfunding campaigns. 

This episode explores the genesis of their collaboration, the intricate mechanics of their kinetic tables, and the development of their latest project – the XYLA Kinetic Art Table. This podcast will take you on a journey through the world of crowd-funded creative innovation and provide fascinating insights into how Bruce and Micah have transformed their passion for art and technology into a successful business. Tune in to get a behind-the-scenes look at their artistic process and learn how they've managed to make their mark in a niche market. 

Their latest project is now live on Kickstarter.

Watch this podcast on our website. 

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In this episode of our podcast, we're thrilled to have Matt and Savannah, the creative minds behind the soon-to-be-launched Kickstarter game project, "Flock Together." They take us on a captivating journey, sharing their experiences as first-time publishers.

Matt and Savannah dive into the nitty-gritty of creating and marketing a game, from learning the ropes as they go, to developing an unconventional yet effective strategy of building community engagement. They've established a solid base of over 1400 subscribers on their pre-launch page and a vibrant Facebook community, all while juggling a smaller email list.

They also share their decision to go against the norm by not including expansions or stretch goals in their campaign. The aim? To deliver the best possible product to their backers without any complications. Their game boasts high-quality aesthetics and promises to deliver a fantastic, full-featured experience right out of the box.

Check out their website here and their Kickstarter pre-launch page here. Watch this podcast on our website here.

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In this podcast episode, Jim and Tim, founders of Howler Audio, chat with us about their journey in creating Howler, a device allowing DJs and musicians to record and live stream their performances simultaneously.

The duo shares their experiences in crowdfunding, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. Both engineers, Jim and Tim had a blast developing the product, and while it was hard work, they appreciated the excitement and support from backers. 

They discuss the importance of having a marketing strategy, the usefulness of Facebook ads, and the surprising intricacies of dealing with VAT in Europe. Currently fulfilling orders, Jim and Tim are considering future plans for their business, including developing a V2 of Howler, an accompanying app, and potentially partnering with investors or distributors.

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the world of crowdfunding for board games with Marvin Hegen, the mastermind behind the popular board game Mindbug. Listen as Marvin shares his experiences running two successful crowdfunding campaigns, including the challenges he faced and the feedback he received from users—even the advice he wishes he hadn't pursued.

We also delve into the fascinating fact that one of his collaborators, a board game legend behind some of the most popular games ever, is related to a former US president AND the inventor of the paper clip.

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

This is episode 5 of the YG Crowdfunding Academy podcast. Today's guest is Randall Bills. He is the managing developer at Catalyst Game Labs.

This episode goes over his strategy in launching well-crafter Kickstarter campaigns, raising millions.

They are currently live on Kickstarter, raising over $6 million with their project BattleTech mercenaries.

Watch the podcast here.

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In today's episode we're talking to Riley Keen, who's the creator behind CharaChorder. His two Kickstarter projects raised over $217,000.

We asked him all about his dos and don'ts in running a Kickstarter project, how he came to participate on Shark tank and what the heck chording is.

You can late pledge to his latest Kickstarter here, check out his website here, follow his Instagram here & his Tik Tok here.

Check out our website here. 

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.

In today's episode we're talking to Simon, who's the creator behind Midronome. His latest Kickstarter project raised close to €160,000.

We asked him all about his experiences running a crowdfunding campaign, and about his approach to running a very successful pre-launch.

You can late pledge to his latest Kickstarter here, check out his website here and follow his Instagram here.

Check out our website here. 

This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding.