Crowd Funding Dump

Kickstarter has subdivided their “technology” category into “open software” and “open hardware” which makes my job a little faster. There aren’t very many things in it…but I suppose that also makes my job a little faster.

Summary:

• MaKey MaKey: Funded
• Safecast Geiger Counter: Funded
• QU-BD Universal 3D Printer Extruder: Funded
• B9Creator 3d printer: Funded
• Wireless Inventors Shield for Arduino: 16 days left
• Open Rail: 27 days left
• The Vision 3d printer: Funded
• Variable USB Power Supply: Not Funded
• Rapcraft 3d printer: Not Funded
• Plugable Thin Client: 8 days left
• Robotic Minion: 20 days left
• Tantillus 3d printer: 3 days left
• H1.1 SeeMeCNC 3d printer: 19 days left
• Wikispeed C3 car: 31 days left
• Kontinuum Garden: Not Funded

Details after the jump.

Crowd Funding Dump

So, apparently the JOBS Act officially sanctioned “crowdfunding” (yes it’s a real word now).

The catch is that “investors” can only work with “issuers” through the services of a “portal” which has to be registered with the SEC. What this means is that Indiegogo and Kickstarter will have some competition and we’re about to see a lot more innovative ideas pitched (more or less) directly to the public.

Anywho…that’s fascinating and all…but what will it do for open source hardware? I dunno; lets find out. Assuming there’s enough activity (seems like a safe assumption) the Crowd Funding Dump (CFD) will become a regular feature on Openalia.