Category Archives: Backers

One of the biggest reasons backers feel burned isn’t always scams—it’s expectations. Crowdfunding timelines are often wrong because creators underestimate how many steps exist between “cool prototype” and “shipped product.” Here’s the real timeline backers should understand when evaluating Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns.   Phase 1: Prototype and validation What you want to see: A […]

Backers ask this all the time: “Is Kickstarter safer than Indiegogo?” The honest answer is that both platforms host great creators—and both platforms can host campaigns that end in disappointment. But the platforms do have differences that matter for due diligence. The big picture: platforms don’t build products—teams do A campaign succeeds or fails because […]

Crowdfunding is exciting because you get in early. But “early” also means “risk.” The best backers aren’t just optimistic—they’re informed. This is a practical due diligence guide you can use before backing a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign. Step 1: Read the campaign like an investor, not a shopper Ask: – What problem does this solve? […]

If you’ve backed enough projects on Kickstarter or Indiegogo, you learn a painful truth: not every “innovative” campaign is legit. Some are outright scams. Others are well-intentioned but dangerously unprepared. Either way, the result for backers can look the same—missed timelines, vague updates, and a product that never arrives. At Crowdfund Junkie (CFJ), we track […]

If you’re building a product, backing campaigns, or just obsessed with crowdfunding like I am, CES is one of the best places to have real conversations—face to face—without the marketing gloss. I’ll be at CES 2026 (January 6–9, 2026) in Las Vegas, and I’d love to meet creators, backers, and anyone who wants to talk […]