Don’t delay: 10 successful Kickstarter projects by Ukrainians in first three month of war
What do entrepreneurs tell to backers from all over the world about rashists invasion
“For evil to win, that’s enough to stay silent and to contemplate”, says one of the project’s authors. Ukrainian entrepreneurs don’t stay silent. Since February, 24, they have launched 20+ Kickstarter campaigns from the bomb shelters. For comparison: during the 2021 only about 30 Ukrainian projects were launched on this crowdfunding platform. Almost all this year’s campaigns are successful – that means the teams received the necessary funding. Mind selected top-10 most successful campaigns in terms of funds raised.
10. SLIDER 3.0 Titanium Toggle-Button Gadget
Amount raised: $7479 (campaign still on)
Amount asked: $108
Backers: 106
Start price: €39
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: Olexander Gorgontiy
The designers have released an updated version of their anti-stress pocket gadget on Kickstarter. According to the authors, the user can get rid of nervous tension by moving the button. This is the third Slider campaign on the platform. The first two brought the team more than $ 17,400.
“Support Ukraine by supporting our project! When you buy from Ukrainians, you support us and our economy. We distribute the absolute most of the finances we receive from you within Ukraine (small factories and designers that we work with in development and creation of our products, Ukrainian national post carrier when shipping orders – even buying coffee from the cafe next door.) This helps us to not only stay afloat but to rebuild, repair and manage our future”, with such a call entrepreneurs appealed to backers.
9. Gelius. Ukrainian power bank with unique value
Amount raised: $7530 (campaign still on)
Amount asked: $5000
Backers: 90
Start price: $59
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: Mobiking by Olexiy Pyatnytsya
Mobiking presented its power bank Gelius to the world through Kickstarter. Team started the preparations for promotion yet in 2021. But Russian aggression changed the plans. Backers were offered to buy a power banks not only for themselves.
Developers say: “When you buy one gadget with a print in support of Ukraine, we automatically send the other to the official humanitarian fund, which helps people in Ukraine... Just imagine a discharged smartphone at the worst moment. Since February 24 such problem, unfortunately, has become huge in Ukraine. Entire cities are completely disconnected from electricity, and people do not have the opportunity to make an important call to their loved ones”.
And explain, that production based in region where people continue to work. “The only risks that can happen – delivery of power banks to civilians in Ukraine who are in the war zone. But we take on this responsibility, because we know that this must be done”, team says.
8. Anti-Khuilo(putin) Art Book Lampoon Gun
Amount raised: $9578
Amount asked: $5000
Backers: 134
Start price: $19
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: Andriy Petrenko
Collection of artworks by Andriy Petrenko, Alyosha Stupin, Andriy Yermolenko, Georgiy Kluchnik, Max Moshkovskii, and Sergiy Schevchenko was presented on Kickstarter.
“A team of volunteers from different fields, on a free basis, united to show the world the true face of dictatorship in an acceptable form. For evil to win, that’s enough to stay silent and to contemplate. But we don’t stay silent – we draw the faces of bastards and we show you their true nature through the prism of laughter”, explained the project’s author Andriy Petrenko. He started creating anti-war caricature in 2014 – after the Third world “hybrid” war started, as he believed, with Crimea occupation.
Backers will receive digital art book (PDF-format), “Anti-dictator” book in paper classic version, postcards and stamps with caricatures. The collected funds will be used to support the suffering people of Ukraine, with a public report on the use of funds. Also, part of the funds will be directed to support the partisan movement in the cities occupied by the Russian Nazis.
Amount raised: $10476
Amount asked: $10000
Backers: 187
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: 13kfilms by Nazar Fedorchuk and Taras Kohan
13kfilms production studio gathered money to film a documentary “Freedom is Never Free”. "The film explores how Ukrainians face a new reality. The film will feature real characters who will tell their stories along with excerpts from stories collected from hundreds of Ukrainians across the country. Our goal is to achieve maximum realism in the "real" place "
They provided backers with detailed synopsis of the movie. The story begins with an excerpt from a BBC interview with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov in January 2022. Filming and interviews with witnesses of horrific crimes in Russia are planned in different cities of Ukraine: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Lviv, etc.
The funds raised will be used to produce the movie: to buy helmets, goggles, bulletproof vests, medical kits (these things are needed for filming in the combat zone). "Everything that remains will be transferred to the Ukraine Aid Fund," the creators say.
Amount raised: €10869
Amount asked: €10000
Backers: 197
Start price: €5
Where from: Lviv
Founder: RockGame
Videogames publisher RockGames presented its new project on Kickstarter – restaurant business simulator. Players can but buildings, create unique interior and exterior, own menu, hire chefs, take orders and deal with rats and cockroaches.
Developers said: “We try as much as possible to simulate the whole process of creating a restaurant business from start to finish. At this stage of development game already has quite a few interesting mechanics, random events, but we plan to further develop it, so we need to raise some money to support the development and improve the project.”
5. Time for Machine. Campaign for Ukraine
Amount raised: $15985
Amount asked: $15000
Backers: 117
Start price: $31
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: Denis Okhrymenko
Founder have already promoted his metallic 3D-puzzles with Kickstarter. This time team presented six new models: transformer, two bulldozers, Silver Bullet car, Sherp all-terrain and Ferro Sportcar.
“Living in Ukraine, we didn't believe to the last minute that Russia would start this crazy war. But since we're in the middle of these events, we decided to run a new campaign on Kickstarter and give some of the money to Ukrainian charities – specifically, at least 10% of the funds that will come into our account at the end of the campaign,” explained Denis Okhrymenko to backers. He assured customers that the team has maintained production and has delivery capabilities.
4. Catapult Feud – Ukraine Edition
Amount raised: $19527
Amount asked: $500
Backers: 546
Start price: $35
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: Fun Games Shop by Andriy Pertsov
This campaign would hardly have appeared on Kickstarter if it weren't for the war. Until February 24, the owner of the board games maker Fun Games Shop turned to Vesuvius Media – the creator of the game Catapult Feud. "We have received the rights to sell the game in Ukraine. Everything was going great, we were looking forward to receiving the materials... But on February 24, our lives turned upside down,” says Andriy Pertsov.
Early in March batch of the Catapult Feud – Ukraine edition arrived at the port in Greece. Entrepreneurs did not dare to get it to Kyiv, where the Fun Games Shop warehouse and office are located. Then the team together with Vesuvius Media decided to go on Kickstarter. "The goal of the campaign is to recoup production costs and try to restore our lives," Pertsov explained. Backers were offered a choice of two options: order a game for themselves and / or children from Ukraine.
3. GHOST OF KYIV. Guardians of Ukraine
Amount raised: $64256
Amount asked: $10000
Backers: 841
Start price: $15
Where from: Kyiv
Founder: Noir Arts by Roman Kotiv
A team of designers and manufacturers of playing cards has released new deck "Ghost of Kyiv" on Kickstarter. Design – with elements of Ukrainian symbols and stylized images of pilots. On one of the cards – super joker – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
"We are ready for production. The main risk is war. We are confident that it will soon end in victory for Ukraine," the designers explained to the backers. According to them, the production is located in Western Ukraine – in a fairly safe place. If necessary, entrepreneurs are ready to change the usual delivery routes and send orders from Poland.
2. 3D Wooden World Map on a Board – Support Ukraine
Amount raised: $162681
Amount asked: $5000
Backers: 1023
Start price: $149
Where from: Irpin, Kyiv district
Founder: Enjoy The Wood by Ihor and Maryna Fostenko
Enjoy the Wood – the maker of wooden 3D-puzzles of cities and world map – has already executed six successful campaigns on Kickstarter and even championed by amounts raised few times. Seventh campaign was started on March, 31, when Borodyanka, Bucha and Irpin – cities, where production and offices of team are situated – were under occupation.
“Nobody plans for war, deaths or becoming a refugee. But it has happened to us and our nation. Our president has called all manufacturers to action – "Each of us must work for Ukraine and our victory. Now we need to resume production wherever possible." Our manufacturing facilities and offices are now in the red zone. We do believe that once it is safe, we will have the opportunity to return and restart work there. But even if this doesn't happen, we are ready to restart at a new location in western Ukraine and re-establish all our processes. We have already found space for manufacturing and have booked some equipment,” explained entrepreneurs to backers.
1. 3D Printable Stuff for Gamers and Painters
Amount raised: $440222
Amount asked: $1000
Backers: 5833
Start price: $50
Where from: Kharkiv
Founder: Solgood Creations by Serhiy Sobol and Kaleb Hudson
The most successful campaign was to raise money for food for refugees in Ukraine. Instead, designers Sergei Sobol and Caleb Goodson offered backers digital products – more than 1,000 STL-files for 3D-printing.
The founders of Solgood Creations presented not only their developments on Kickstarter. "Many creators have generously donated their product to our cause. The collection is a joint effort of various artists and companies from around the world. These wonderful creative people came together to give hope to refugees in Ukraine. I am a Ukrainian 3D artist and designer. I live in Kharkiv. My American friend Caleb Goodson and I decided to create a project that would help not only my family, but also my volunteer group to deliver food to refugees in my hometown during this difficult time,” explained Serhiy Sobol.
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