r/kickstarter

Does Kickstarter track data of how many projects go unfulfilled?

Title says it all really.

Does anyone know if Kickstarter collects data on how many projects go unfulfilled?

I only ask because I have noticed more and more projects - usually low cost projects - going unfulfilled. And creators having multiple unfulfilled projects back to back.

I know this is all subjective, so I’m looking for real data and can’t find it.

I have found an old independent report from 2015 … but nothing else.

Trust in such platforms is dependent on reputation, transparency and robust procedures.

But if they don’t collect data on the completion outcomes of campaigns, the validity of projects, or even number of complaints lodged for a project … how can parties trust them?

Maybe the data is there but I don’t know where to find it.

reddit.com
u/Dismal_Wrangler61 — 14 hours ago
▲ 1 r/kickstarter+1 crossposts

How to make money online as a beginner in 2026?

Hey everyone 👋
I’m a beginner and I want to start making money online. I don’t have much experience or investment.

Can someone guide me on:

  • Best legit ways to earn online in 2026?
  • Freelancing or content creation — what is easier for beginners?
  • Any skills I should learn first?
  • How long does it usually take to start earning?

I’m willing to learn and put in consistent effort. Any advice or roadmap would really help me.

Thanks in advance 🙏

reddit.com
u/Puzzled_General_4411 — 15 hours ago
▲ 94 r/kickstarter+1 crossposts

4 unfulfilled Kickstarters and he launches a 5th. Here's what he said when asked for proof. (more in comments)

The creator is Thomas Negovan, a former member of Kickstarter's inaugural Community Advisory Council. Over the past two years I backed four of his book campaigns. None have been fulfilled.

This week he posted an identical update to all four unfulfilled campaigns announcing a new Kickstarter for another book.

When asked a basic question: where are the proofs? He had previously said one of the books was going to the printers in November 2025. No images, no progress updates, no evidence of work, just "trust me."

**His first reply** cited "25+ years in business and more than 80 successfully fulfilled projects" and offered a refund, framing the refund as a favor because "this is Kickstarter, not a hostage situation." He did not answer the question.

I pushed back, noting that a track record should make showing a single proof page trivial, and that offering a refund instead of evidence is a way to make critical backers disappear rather than answer them.

**His final reply** is the part I think other backers should see. I'll quote the relevant portions directly:

> "...if we start chasing accusations of this company as a multi-decade scam, or offering 'evidence that the project actually exists' we lose sight of the mission of actually making the books come out."

> "You're misunderstanding the relationship here; you're welcome to preorder the books at a substantial discount, but in return we ask for patience as our publishing schedule unfolds according to its ability."

> "We'll process a refund for each of you... and I hope that you'll revisit the book when it's available in our shop."

Note what he did there. He put "evidence that the project actually exists" in scare quotes as if that's an unreasonable thing for a backer of four unfulfilled campaigns to want. He reframed Kickstarter pledges as "preorders" where the only acceptable backer behavior is patience. And he offered a refund as the resolution to a question he never answered.

**What happened next:** He refunded my pledges on all four campaigns, unprompted and without discussion, which blocked me from the campaign pages and deleted my comments, removing the exchange from view of anyone considering the new campaign.

I'm posting this because:

  1. "Refund and block" is a pattern that erases the public record other backers rely on when deciding whether to pledge.
  2. A creator's response to "show me the work" tells you more than any track record does. A confident creator shows a photo. This one wrote three paragraphs about why he shouldn't have to.

I've also reported this to Kickstarter's trust and safety team. Posting here so the information exists somewhere he can't delete it.

*edit* Art book Kickstarters routinely take 2-4 years, so each new campaign launched while the previous was still within a normal timeline. The point is not the delays or lack of fulfillment, the point is to communicate how this creator responds when backers ask reasonable questions: by deflecting to his track record, reframing legitimate scrutiny as unreasonable, and then refunding and blocking the people asking for proof of work.

u/nerdwerds — 23 hours ago

€5k raised in the first 20 hours - how do I keep the momentum going?

Hey everyone,

My Kickstarter campaign launched yesterday and we’ve already raised over €5,000 in the first 20 hours, which honestly exceeded my expectations 🙌

Now I’m trying to figure out how to maintain momentum for the rest of the campaign instead of peaking early and slowing down too hard in the middle.

What helped you keep traction after the launch spike?
How often did you post updates or new content?
What channels ended up driving the most conversions during the middle of the campaign?

This is my campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2074470781/bitbybit-the-plastic-free-future-of-cutting-boards

Would really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been through it already. Thanks! 🚀

reddit.com
u/Equal-Librarian1450 — 18 hours ago
▲ 97 r/kickstarter+3 crossposts

I built the portable monitor apple should have built

3.5 years into building a portable dual monitor. zero hardware background when i started.

first 2 years i worked with fiverr designers thinking i was saving money. renders looked fine, none of it was actually manufacturable. cost me way more than just hiring proper engineers from day one would have.

end of 2024 i finally reached out to a real product design studio in the netherlands. THIS REALLY WAS the best decision on the whole project.

also had to find a separate firm for the PCBA board. most portable monitors are cheap, dim, low resolution and they lag because they use a cheap pcba board.

i wanted a dedicated chip so 2 screens run on one usb-c without lag. that board alone took 6 months and 40k.

where im at:

- working prototype finally in hand

- 415 on the waitlist (240+ are software engineers, surprised me)

- launching kickstarter july 28

main lessons so far: timelines in hardware are fiction. cheap teams are expensive teams. everything is connected, change one thing and you re-engineer three others.

specs:

2x 16" displays (2560x1600), 500 nits
Glas optic with AR and AF
CNC Aluminium cases

ask me anything. if you want to checkout the website, here it is: duoviewpro.com

let me know what you think about my project

u/Artistic-Yam8045 — 1 day ago
▲ 5 r/kickstarter+1 crossposts

What part of launching on Kickstarter actually broke you?

Running my own campaign right now and honestly the whole process has been a ride. Got me thinking though, because I feel like the hardest parts vary a lot depending on what you're making.

Like I imagine someone launching a board game is losing sleep over rulebook clarity and manufacturing timelines, while a product designer is probably pulling their hair out over shipping logistics or prototype costs. And then there's the whole crowd of people who say the pre-launch audience building was the thing that nearly killed them before they even got to the page.

So genuinely curious what category you're in and what hit hardest. Was it the campaign page itself, the math behind your funding goal, getting press to care, or something else entirely that I haven't even thought of yet.

Would love to hear from people across different niches because I have a feeling this is one of those things where the struggle is pretty specific to what you're building.

reddit.com
u/zaidahmedsharieef — 1 day ago

We launched - how do I effectively retarget our page followers?

Our kickstarter reached its goal in 12 hours, which is cool, but now I want to know how I can try and retarget everyone following our page.

Do I just keep sending out messages with new updates and incentives to people who haven't backed us yet?

How do you guys think competition could go? Is that something I should try?

I'm thinking of giving away an iPad because our product is an iPad case.

Any other low-cost ideas? 30% of our kickstarter followers have backed our campaign, so this is obviously a strong audience to try and get the most juice out of.

reddit.com
u/strapsicle — 1 day ago

New to kickstarter and could use some advice.

Hi, I’m learning on how to start a kickstarter to help me with my business and would like some advice. We’re a small business located in Modesto, CA and one of our big selling items that recently got popular are our 5 gallon buckets of detergent, softener, floor cleaner, dish soap, and degreaser. Our issue is supply and storage, I’ve been reading a couple of post and am having trouble deciding if this platform is for me. Any advice on your experience would be greatly appreciated. Left a picture for an example.

u/Oscar_callelle — 1 day ago

Wait, WHAT?! I wasn't notified! Was I supposed to be?! That's so cool...hope it helps when we launch. Wait...is it real? I wasn't notified.

u/Oeufware — 1 day ago

Are emails like these scams?

I keep getting a few and whenever i ask them questions they respond in an unclear way that seems like they’re using AI and not addressing what I asked.

Edit: after posting this I of course got another email scam from someone about promoting the kickstarters growth.

u/TheInspecterFilm — 1 day ago

Kickstarter pledge manager and taxes, need help

Hello I would really love a little direction. I am done with my campaign and plan to collect addresses. Should I use Kickstarter pledge manager or just send survey only. I don't have a very complex fulfillment or a lot of add ons. Its comic books that are already printed I just need to ship them out.

Also there is the tax question, I only raised 2,000 and when I started the campaign I opted out of using the pledge manager. I am just trying to avoid charging backers taxes and not paying the taxes. I can deduct the tax from the final price. Any help is greatly appreciated.

reddit.com
u/mfileny — 1 day ago

After a huge amount of projects being backed and following a bunch of creators journeys I am now finally a Superbacker. But what does it mean?

I am so grateful and happy that I am a Superbacker but even more that I helped numerous creatives in different mediums reach their goal and I have loved every way of it but what does being a Superbacker actually give. Like the invites to events where are they based why should i attend what fi it costs me money to attend and does being a Superbacker help my own project in the future? I just need a little help udnerstanding this.

u/ORIGIN_Comic — 1 day ago

I just launched a queer romantic graphic novel Amore in Italia on Kickstarter!

📖 The Story
Amore in Italia is a 192-page standalone queer romantic graphic novel. The story follows Julian, an anxious American tourist, who accidentally spills pistachio gelato all over the favorite green shirt of Matteo, a charismatic local artisan.
What starts as a messy, accidental meet-cute turns into a gorgeous summer romance when Matteo offers to show Julian the real Florence. The plot thickens when they discover a mysterious, weathered journal from the 1950s hidden in Matteo's family workshop. Together, they set off to retrace the journal's steps across Italy to uncover a long-lost love story.
💼 Where the Funding Goes:
Every donation goes directly into bringing this book to life. The funds will primarily cover the high costs of high-quality, full-color printing and manufacturing, ensuring the vibrant colors look spectacular on paper. The rest of the budget will be used for secure shipping , creating the exclusive backer rewards and offers and Yh ty .

kickstarter.com
u/Elegant_lol458 — 1 day ago

What followers/wishlist number do you actually need before a KS launch is "safe"?

I've seen every number under the sun thrown around

Wanted to ask people who've actually launched:

  • What was your follower count at launch?
  • What % funded on day one?
  • Would you launch again at that same number, or wait for more?
reddit.com
u/Hot_Layer_8110 — 1 day ago

Anyone try doing a local event for backers while running their campaign? (NYC Plant Market)

Hey r/kickstarter,

Quick strategy question for the community. We are currently running/preparing our campaign for Florev—a biodegradable, eco-friendly plant self-hydrator that uses 5g stick packs to keep plants watered for weeks.

We just got confirmed as a vendor for the upcoming NYC Plant Market (https://nycplantmarket.com/), which is a massive outdoor botanical event with live music, food, and drinks.

We are treating this as our big local push to drive backers, show live product demos, and build community trust.

Has anyone here done a local market or pop-up while active? Did you offer any special "local-only" physical rewards, or just point them to the main Kickstarter tier via a QR code? I'd like to know whether the conversion rates justify the logistical effort of running a physical booth while managing an online campaign.

As we have sample stock available, I was thinking of selling on the spot. We still have so much to cover in the campaign at this point, so I am not afraid to not cover KS. So, what do you guys think?

reddit.com
u/velocityghost — 1 day ago

Inspired by the ancient Great Steppe, my dark fantasy graphic novel launches on Kickstarter on May 21.

Hello everyone,

I’m Rahmi Aydemir, creator of Revenge of Pazyryk, an upcoming fully hand-drawn graphic novel inspired by the ancient Great Steppe, the Pazyryk culture, mythology, and dark fantasy storytelling.

The story follows Bangu, a warrior who loses his family during a brutal invasion and begins a mythological journey shaped by ancient spirits, vengeance, and survival.

Over the past months, I’ve been building the world, designing the characters, and developing the visual atmosphere entirely through hand-drawn artwork. The project combines historical inspiration with mythological fiction and cinematic storytelling.

The Kickstarter campaign officially launches on May 21.

Emperor Liu Bang and His Army

Bangu, Immortal Warrior

Some details about the project:

  • Fully hand-drawn graphic novel
  • Inspired by ancient steppe mythology and the Pazyryk culture
  • Dark fantasy atmosphere
  • Hardcover and collector editions planned
  • Expanding transmedia universe connected to games and cinematic storytelling

Kickstarter Pre-Launch Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1666580866/revenge-of-pazyryk

I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or questions about the project and world.

Thank you for taking a look.

reddit.com

World 1st 3d printable smart ring that you can style and earn with

Hi everyone — I have launched a Kickstarter campaign for a project I’ve been building for a while, and I’d really appreciate honest feedback from people who understand crowdfunding.

The project started with a simple question:

What if a smart ring didn’t have to look like every other smart ring? And that it should bring unique value to customers rather than just simply being a gadget with a health dashboard

Most wearable rings today are closed, fixed designs. I wanted to explore the opposite direction: a ring that is not only a sensor, but also a personal object — something people can customize, print, remix, and eventually connect to an AI companion (also customizable). So we built what we believe may be one of the first 3D-printable smart ring ecosystems.

The idea has three layers:

A customizable ring body The ring is designed around 3D-printable / customizable outer shells, so the look can evolve like jewelry instead of staying as one fixed tech product. The goal is to make the ring feel more like a personal accessory than a health gadget.

A wearable AI companion The ring is not just for tracking data. It connects to an AI companion app that can remember context, understand daily patterns, and turn signals like sleep, stress, mood, and routines into more human, supportive suggestions.

A creator ecosystem Long term, we want designers and creators to be able to make new ring shells, styles, accessories, and AI-powered experiences around the ring. The bigger vision is a wearable AI ecosystem where hardware, software, and identity design come together.

I’d be grateful for any honest feedback, especially on how to explain the project without making it feel like generic AI hype.

Thank you.

reddit.com
u/Ok_Recognition_9430 — 1 day ago

3PL for Kickstarter fulfillment, anyone done this?

Campaign funded way over goal and now I need to figure out fulfillment fast. About 2000+ backers across US, UK and Canada. The problem is most 3PLs seem built for steady ecommerce not a one time spike. Has anyone used a 3PL specifically for Kickstarter fulfillment that handled it well? How far ahead did you get inventory to them?

reddit.com
u/bully254 — 2 days ago

What I learned launching my Kickstarter (mid-campaign thoughts, a bit messy)

I’m currently in the middle of my Kickstarter campaign and I just needed to dump some thoughts somewhere. Maybe it helps someone, maybe not.

Also quick note: yeah… there are a LOT of scammers / “marketing experts” / fake backers services that will message you as soon as your campaign is live. Like within hours. Just ignore them. If it sounds shady, it is.

Anyway, here’s what I’ve learned so far:

  • Having a community BEFORE launching is huge. Like… really huge. We kind of knew it, but didn’t fully realize how important it is. Kickstarter is not a discovery platform. If you don’t bring people on day 1, it’s very hard to get momentum.
  • Everything takes more time than you think. We did some stuff a bit last minute and honestly… bad idea. Assets, page, trailer, rewards, balancing everything… it adds up fast. Planning early = less stress.
  • The mental load is real. Didn’t expect that part. Once it’s live, it’s always in your head. Stats, backers, comments, updates… it never really stops. Be ready for that.
  • Don’t aim too high with your goal. It’s tempting to set a big goal, but honestly it can kill your campaign. A lower goal that you can surpass feels way better and gives you more chances to actually succeed.

I’m still learning as we go, so I’ll probably have more to say after it ends.

If you’re about to launch: prepare more than you think you need, and don’t trust random people offering “promotion services”.

Good luck to anyone launching soon 😄

reddit.com
u/Xxnius — 2 days ago