Interesting Kickstarter Startups: Where Are They Now?

Every time I receive an email from Kickstarter about a new project that is looking for funding, I like to check out what offers are available and how many others have been backing to show their support. I have seen so many entrepreneurs and some of the most unique ideas on Kickstarter. (Yes, and some that really make you think, "Why in the world??") Then there are the times you find something that really stands out. You just know this thing is going to be on all of the shelves and everybody will be fighting for it on Black Friday. (Or Cyber Monday.) So, the best thing to do is invest and back the project and hope you see the creator succeed and meet their goal. (Kickstarter is pretty much all or nothing so, it gets a little nervewracking watching some projects go down to the wire!)

I've backed so many different types of projects on this site. It's a little addicting! Sometimes I forgot I even backed a project and then I find whatever my reward was in my mailbox a year or 2 later. Here are some of the rewards I wish I had known about before their campaigns ended: 

Exploding Kittens 

Ok, of course, I don't really want to see kittens explode and I'm sure nobody else really does either. Well, I guess 219,382 people would like to see it because Exploding Kittens is the most backed project of all time! (It is just a deck of cards so it isn't really exploding kittens. I swear!) 

Elan Lee, Matthew Inman, and Shane Small came up with the idea for this game and the original goal was $10,000. I bet they didn't expect to see the $8.7 million they ended up receiving in this clever 30-day project. This project ended in 2015 but you can visit their website and purchase the game itself, expansion packs, various swag, and new games. I think it's safe to say that this simple card game exploded into a fairly big kitten empire! 

Ouya 

Ouya is another project that really took off. Bringing in over $8 million on Kickstarter back in 2012, they are still around today. The only problem is that they aren't selling on their website. They last updated their Twitter account in April of 2017 and suggested that fans purchase parts needed from third-party sellers. 

Ouya is a video game console that doubles as a dev kit which means the user can create their own video games right from their Ouya console! (Kind of like a startup within a startup.) The creators or Ouya also brought Jambox to the mix. 

This seems like it should have done really well. It made the list of some of the best Kickstarter projects of all time but if you check the Ouya social media pages, there are a lot of disgruntled customers. Hopefully, somebody else picks up on this idea because $8 million isn't really chump change. 

I have to wonder if the Ouya game console/dev kit would have seen a lot more success had the creators studied at Kalu Yala...

Coolest Cooler

The Coolest Cooler also made it on the of the best Kickstarter projects and Time magazine named it"Innovation of the Year". Their Kickstarter campaign raked in over $13 million and you can still buy The Coolest Cooler online. 

So now you're asking, "What exactly is The Coolest Cooler?" Well, it's a cooler that comes with everything you need for tailgating, picnics, or hosting in your backyard. They come equipped with a blender, removable waterproof Bluetooth speakers, a cooler divider, cutting board, USB charger, LED lid light, bottle opener, integrated storage for plates and utensils. Maybe you're wondering, "Are people really buying these things?" The answer is, yes. Yes indeed they are still in business, still selling, and still active online. Matter of fact, they're having a sale right now!

If you want to check out some more fascinating startups and you finished the Kickstarter lists, don't forget to look into Shark Tank too! If you're thinking of the best thing that millions of people can't live without, you may want to look into Kalu Yala and apply for a scholarship that could help you get closer to your big dreams!