2. Testing our
Hypothesis

3. The Crowdfunding Ecosystem
First
Giving
Stay
Classy
Indiegogo
Kickstarter
Kiva
Microryza

4. Initial Hypothesis & Test
• Interviews with Two Scientist (Neuroscientist, and bio-engineer). The main problem with
crowdfunding for scientific research is the need to determine which science will actually have
an impact on a given disease. This is cause for much debate, even within the scientific
community. For patients/donors to have a full understanding of the research, it would be a
very difficult task to market the research through a crowdfunding platform in a way that truly
resonates with patients.
• Feedback from Patients I interviewed three cancer survivors who are participants in the
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, who traditionally do their peer-to-peer fundraising on a
platform called Convio. While there is some tentative interest in the idea of creating their
own 'independent' event, there is a bigger need to educate the market on how/why
crowdfunding could be used. Given the recent debacle with the Komen/Planned Parenthood
controversy, one potential assumption to explore here would be whether breast cancer
survivors are looking for a new way to fundraise.
• One particularly disheartening realization was that the actual results on Indiegogo for cancer
fundraising campaigns was pretty dismal. When comparing these projects, one common
thread was a lack of fundraising incentives, case for supportting the project, or active
networking/promotion of the campaign.
• Crowdfunding Platform Research: I spent the majority of my time comparing successful and
unsuccessfully funded projects on the following platforms:

5. HYPOTHESIS: THERE IS A NEED FOR A
CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM FOR TO
SUPPORT HEALTH AND SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH (EX: CROWDFUNDING FOR A
CURE FOR CANCER)

6. Test Results
Interviews with Two Scientist (Neuroscientist, and • The main problem with crowdfunding for scientific
bio-engineer). research is the need to determine which science
will actually have an impact on a given disease.
• This is cause for much debate, even within the
scientific community. For patients/donors to have a
full understanding of the research, it would be a
very difficult task to market the research through a
crowdfunding platform in a way that truly
resonates with patients.
Interview with Breast Cancer Patients. • The Susan G. Koman 3-day for the cure raised $84
Million in 2011.
• Traditionally, those who are impacted by Breast
cancer will ‘Fundraise for a cure on a platform
called Convio.
• While there is some tentative interest in the idea of
creating their own 'independent' fundraising
campaigns, there is a bigger need to educate the
market on how/why crowdfunding could be used.
• Given the recent debacle with the Komen/Planned
Parenthood controversy, one potential assumption
to explore here would be whether breast cancer
survivors are looking for a new way to fundraise.

7. Test Results
• There is a lack of tools and help for project
Comparisons of 15+ fundraising projects on fundraisers.
Microryza and Indiegogo. • For every successfully funded project on these
platforms, there is a wide range of unsuccessfully
funded projects due to lack of fundraising strategy,
and active promotion of projects with potential
backers. This began to raise some fundamental
questions for me about the need for a consulting
service to help users on these platforms to
successfully fund their projects.

8. What Makes a Crowdfunding Project
Successful?
• There are currently 191 crowdfunding platforms
in the US.
• Most Crowdfunding platforms charge between 4-
10% of funds raised.
• Crowdsourcing.org surveyed 170 online
platforms. In 2011, $1.47 billion was raised. This
is expected to grow to nearly $3 billion in 2012.
• In April, President Obama signed the JOBS act to
enable funding for business through
crowdfunding platforms.

9. Crowdfunding Industry Snapshot
• There are currently 191 crowdfunding platforms
in the US.
• Most Crowdfunding platforms charge between 4-
10% of funds raised.
• Crowdsourcing.org surveyed 170 online
platforms. In 2011, $1.47 billion was raised. This
is expected to grow to nearly $3 billion in 2012.
• In April, President Obama signed the JOBS act to
enable funding for business through
crowdfunding platforms.

10. Four Things We Have Learned
1. There isn’t a need for a new platform.
2. None of these platforms seem to provide
fundraising tools or strategies for clients.
3. These platforms are ideal testing ground for
new ideas.
4. There is an opportunity to create fundraising
strategy services around crowdfunding
platforms.
© Downing Group LLC

11. Four Things We Have Learned
1. The crowdfunding industry is crowded.
2. None of these platforms seem to provide
fundraising tools or strategies for clients.
3. These platforms are ideal testing ground for
new ideas.
4. There is an opportunity to create fundraising
strategy services around crowdfunding
platforms.
© Downing Group LLC

12. Four Things We Have Learned
1. The crowdfunding industry is crowded.
2. None of these platforms seem to provide
fundraising tools or strategies for clients.
3. These platforms are ideal testing ground for
new ideas.
4. There is an opportunity to create fundraising
strategy services around crowdfunding
platforms.
© Downing Group LLC

13. Four Things We Have Learned
1. The crowdfunding industry is crowded.
2. None of these platforms seem to provide
fundraising tools or strategies for clients.
3. These platforms are ideal testing ground for
new ideas.
4. NEW HYPOTHESIS: There is an opportunity
to create fundraising strategy services around
crowdfunding platforms.
© Downing Group LLC

14. New Hypothesis
There is an opportunity to create fundraising
strategy services around crowdfunding
platforms.
TEST: Survey of Entrepreneurs
• 16 respondents, 11 completed the survey