BackerKit is a crowdfunding platform focusing on creative projects with an emphasis on tabletop games and fantasy books.[1] On ethical grounds, BackerKit bans projects containing art produced by Generative AI.[2][3]

BackerKit
Type of site
Creative crowdfunding
Founded2012
Country of originUnited States
Founder(s)Maxwell Salzberg and Rosanna Yau
URLhttps://www.backerkit.com/

History

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BackerKit was founded in 2012 by Maxwell Salzberg and Rosanna Yau as a pledge management, payment processing, shipping, audience engagement, and pre-order tool for Kickstarter campaigns.[4][5] In 2018, Backerkit established The Creative Fund, with the goal of donating one dollar to a wide range of projects on Kickstarter.[6]

In 2022, BackerKit announced its own crowdfunding marketplace in response to criticisms within the tabletop role-playing game industry against Kickstarter's investment in Blockchain.[7][8] The first major crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit was for Gloomhaven's Grand Festival, which raised over $5 million.[9][10] Other early successes included Return to Dark Tower ($2 million)[11][10] and Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate ($1.2 million).[10]

In 2024, the premium edition of Brandon Sanderson's novel Words of Radiance raised $16 million on BackerKit, breaking the platform's record.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ Carter, Chase (2022-06-14). "Backerkit launches its own crowdfunding platform with nearly 40 planned projects". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  2. ^ Hall, Charlie (2023-10-02). "BackerKit bans AI-generated content from its platform, including art for board games". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  3. ^ Carter, Chase (2023-10-03). "Kickstarter rival Backerkit bans crowdfunding projects solely using AI-generated art". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  4. ^ Hall, Charlie (2024-02-21). "Brandon Sanderson, credited with the biggest Kickstarter of all time, brings his next project to Backerkit". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  5. ^ Geron, Tomio. "Crowdfunding A Focus At Y Combinator Demo Day". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  6. ^ "BackerKit's The Creative Fund will give $1 to every Kickstarter campaign". VentureBeat. 2018-07-11. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  7. ^ Carter, Chase (2022-12-12). "BackerKit discusses challenging the 'big green K' as it moves from crowdfunding tool to competitor". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  8. ^ Carter, Chase (2022-06-14). "Backerkit launches its own crowdfunding platform with nearly 40 planned projects". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  9. ^ Hall, Charlie (2022-06-15). "Gloomhaven leaves Kickstarter over blockchain push". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  10. ^ a b c Hall, Charlie (2023-07-18). "Kickstarter rival Backerkit exits beta on the heels of a successful Gloomhaven campaign". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  11. ^ Theel, Charlie (2022-06-23). "Return to Dark Tower is a fascinating and expensive sequel to the cult classic board game". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  12. ^ Nawotka, Ed. "Brandon Sanderson Raises $16 Million, Breaking Records Again". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  13. ^ Hall, Charlie (2024-02-21). "Brandon Sanderson, credited with the biggest Kickstarter of all time, brings his next project to Backerkit". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.