5 cool projects failed on Kickstarter

Refrigerator Coolest Cooler

Purpose: 50 thousand dollars.

collected: more than 13 million dollars.

Idea. In 2014, Ryan Grepper (Ryan Grepper) decided to create a portable refrigerator of the future, which would cost just $ 185. In addition to the banal cooling food and drink, he may:

• drink mix and grind the ice using the built blender;
• play music, because it is more and wireless speakers;
• charge couple devices via two USB-ports.

Also it is possible to nastrogat salad or cut meat for barbecue. The knife he was not afraid, because there is a special coating. Inside there is a compartment for utensils, can opener and a place to store knives, and even has LED lights for evening gatherings.

In general, the dream of fans of picnics and outdoor recreation. It is not surprising that the necessary 50 thousand dollars collected in just 36 hours! A month later the sum has passed for 13 million dollars, which is even larger than the first Pebble. Fridge waiting for 56 thousand people and, according to Ryan Greppera had to get it in February 2015.

What happened. But in February 2015 the first refrigerator no one received. People have understood and forgiven: still a large-scale campaign in a couple of months late is not critical. And they waited a bit, then a bit more. Manufacturer periodically report on the problems with the battery, then the delivery.

By the end of summer 2015 refrigerator received only 3000 people from 56 thousand. Discontent grew sponsors, but this surprises did not end there. In the autumn of the coveted refrigerator went on sale at Amazon for $ 500 instead of the originally announced 185. Ryan Grepper explained by the fact that did not calculate shipping costs and not enough money. It turns out that buyers pay shipping with Amazon "kikstarterovtsam".

Even now, in May 2016, Coolest Cooler has not yet reached to all the customers. Here it turned out that one of the most successful campaigns on Kickstarter has become one big scandal. And here we can only blame the illiterate management.

Laser razor Skarp

Purpose: 160 thousand dollars.

collected: more than $ 4 million.

Idea. Imagine shave without cuts, irritation and expensive replacement blades. The idea is excellent, and agree with me 20 thousand investors have invested nearly $ 4 million in the project Skarp.

Skarp - laser razor, which, according to developers, should replace all the usual razor blade. The laser accurately cuts the hair, eliminating cuts and irritation. Razor works on regular AAA batteries, one battery lasts for a month of work. The idea devaysa people relished, and for 24 days have been collected about 250 thousand dollars to complete the campaign.

What happened. The idea, of course, cool, but how feasible? Many have started to doubt the reality of the project, if only because there was not any real razor image. Alone renders and promises. The principle of operation devaysa also raises questions. According to the manufacturer, the laser beam is simply to cut the hair, as it does an ordinary razor. But this is hardly possible, because this would require a laser power superior laser pointer several times. Of course, he would cut the hair, but it will leave a bad burn on your skin.

All questions answered inventors roller in which two minutes cut five (!) Hair. Such a demonstration devaysa capacity spawned even more doubts. As a result, Kickstarter simply closed the project due to lack of a working prototype.

But it seems that it was not a great disappointment to the sponsors, because he soon appeared on Indiegogo. This site does not require real prototypes, and three hours were collected 34 thousand dollars of the alleged 160 thousand. Naturally, the actual images razor has not appeared, so I think this is nothing more than a job scam.

Nanodron Zano

Purpose: 190 thousand dollars.

collected: more than 3.5 million dollars.

Idea. Authors of the project decided to create a small drone that can fly and shoot video in high definition. Scarce was easy to fit in the palm of your hand, control offered by a smartphone or gestures. Had the idea to make the most simple and convenient operation, which will master any person.

Potential Zano, of course, staggering. With multiple sensors drone was almost autonomously fly around obstacles, shoot and broadcast streaming video for at least 15 minutes. They promised to support wireless charging, video stabilization and even a thermal imaging camera. Attractive set of features for such crumbs.

Who want to get Zano were many, managed to collect more than $ 3.5 million. The developers have promised to deliver the drone in June 2015.

What happened. And I get one of the biggest scandals on Kickstarter. According to the already familiar pattern creators of the project, first sponsors were fed with promises, deadlines postponed several times. As a result, tearing all terms sent a couple of hundred half-dead drone (with 3 thousand customers). Gadgets were terrible quality, were only able to climb a few centimeters above the ground, and then flew into the wall. No autonomous flight and bypass obstacles were not in sight.

This caused a wave of indignation, which is why Kickstarter even had to hire a well-known journalist Mark Harris (Mark Harris) for an independent investigation. Of course, everything was a lie, videos demonstrating the drone capabilities were rigged. Money spent on personal needs, and when they are over, the company recognized bankrupt.

3D-printer Peachy Printer

Purpose: 50 thousand dollars.

collected: more than 650 thousand dollars.

Idea. Rylan Greystone (Rylan Grayston) and David Bo (David Boe) decided to make available to each 3D-printer. They have developed a compact device called Peachy Printer, which is expected to sell in as a set, so each user can assemble and configure the printer, starting from concrete tasks. The gadget was able to print even colored objects using eight mixed colors. In general, useful thing, and all for $ 100.

Having collected more than 650 thousand dollars, the project creators have promised that will soon come back, and disappeared more than two years.

What happened. Then the connection went Rylan Greystone, announcing that his companion had spent most of the money for the construction of his house. Since they did not have a general account, all collected on Kickstarter funds fall at the expense of David Bo. When Rylan asked to give him the money collected, David has translated a total of 200 thousand dollars. Before you go to the police, Rylan decided to appeal to the conscience of his companion and demanded that he confessed to the theft and returned the money with interest.

David, of course, apologized, but returned only 107 thousand dollars of the remaining 450,000. The rest was spent on the house. However Rylan Greystone decided not to surrender and promised to still send customers printers, not even having the whole amount.

Ant Simulator

Purpose: 4000 dollars.

collected: 4,5 thousand dollars.

Idea. ETeeski company decided to create a game Ant Simulator. As you may have guessed, it offers you to become an ant: gather resources, fight, build - in general, do normal ant chores. In this case, the emphasis is on virtual reality, declared support of glasses Oculus Rift, ANTVR and others. In addition to outside investment, the guys gathered more than 4 thousand dollars on Kickstarter and is already preparing for the open beta.

What happened. At the beginning of 2016 the game developer Eric Tereshinski (Eric Tereshinski) published the video, which announced the closure of the project. It turned out that his partners and part-time best friends lowered all the money on booze, poker and strippers. According to Eric, almost all the money has been spent, so it can not continue to develop the game. Moreover, his former partners Eric threatened by the court if it will work independently on a project.

The moral here is simple: choose partners wisely and do not trust them blindly, even if they are your best friends.

---

Here is a selection of published. It is a pity that many interesting projects fail simply because of the stupidity and ignorance of management. But Kickstarter should carefully select projects and develop a support system for users affected in such situations.