Join us in a conversation with Rose and Caroline as they share their remarkable journey from moving into an old house in Denver with limited outlets to inventing the Poplight wall light, landing on Shark Tank, and running a successful Kickstarter campaign. Discover their insightful tips on market research, prototyping, and the importance of building a community. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fan of Shark Tank, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and incredible entrepreneu...
Jul 23, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Join us as we interview Brandon Rollins, Director of Marketing at Fulfillrite , a top U.S. fulfillment company specializing in shipping crowdfunding campaigns. Learn invaluable insights on the journey from idea to product, significant differences between e-commerce and crowdfunding fulfillment, and expert tips to avoid common shipping mistakes. Discover the complete process from factory to customer's doorstep, important considerations, pricing, and pitfalls new creators should avoid. Also, hear ...
Jun 17, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this podcast episode we're talking to Frank Carlson, the founder of Pawly AI Cat Door. Frank shares his journey from conceptualizing an AI-enabled cat door that prevents cats from bringing prey into the house, to raising over $250,000 from almost 700 backers in his first crowdfunding campaign. Despite facing shipping delays and learning on the go, particularly in marketing and public relations, Frank and his team have successfully navigated the challenges of bringing a new product to market. ...
Apr 26, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Tim Chuon, a specialized board game photographer and videographer known for creating stunning visual content for popular games such as Scythe, Mythwind, Frosthaven, and Call of Duty, explains his journey into this niche field, detailing the process of making crowdfunding trailers and marketing assets for board games. He provides insights into the importance of high-quality visuals in crowdfunding campaigns and offers practical tips for creators on a budget. Listen and find out more about the tra...
Apr 18, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Today's podcast features Rich Loxam, former teacher turned CEO and co-founder of Steamforged Games. Rich shares the remarkable journey of his company, from its humble beginnings with a successful Kickstarter campaign for Guild Ball to becoming a major player in the gaming industry with over 170,000 backers and $30 million raised across 19 projects. Rich discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating crowdfunding, the transition from being an impassioned hobbyist to a business-minded CEO, an...
Mar 20, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 4
On today's episode, we're talking to Bryant Garvin, the head of marketing at Ozlo Sleep. He discusses Ozlo's journey of launching a successful product on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo, which raised over $3.5 million combined. Bryant shares insights on the importance of a unique product, strategic marketing, and leveraging crowdfunding platforms for building community and gaining momentum. He details the origins of the sleep buds, initially a Bose product, and the transition to forming a new ven...
Mar 05, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this podcast episode, George interviews AJ Porfirio, the founder of Van Ryder Games, who shares his journey from starting with a Kickstarter campaign in 2011 that raised $10,000 to building a multi-million dollar gaming business. AJ talks about the lessons learned from bootstrapping his way to success, generating over $6.5 million from crowdfunding, and now mentoring others through his Power Publishing Program. AJ delves into the importance of critical thinking in game pricing, strategic fina...
Feb 28, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Jack Neville, the founder of Split Stone Games and creator of the board game 'Mycelia,' shares how he went from a graphic designer to a revered game publisher, raising over $550,000 on Kickstarter. He discusses his tried-and-true strategies, including building a responsive mailing list, utilising resources like Reddit for feedback, convention appearances for awareness, cost-effective solutions (thank you Chip & Kitty), and why you should always create a premium version of your product. Jack ...
Jan 16, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This episode is a conversation with Viktor Peter, the founder of Mindclash Games. He discusses his journey in the crowdfunding industry, starting from his first campaign to the current one, Perseverance Castaway Chronicles. He touches upon topics such as the decision to quit his job, the importance of having the right product and target audience, and the switch from Kickstarter to Gamefound. Viktor also talks about the game design process, the significance of theme and visual appeal, and the cha...
Dec 06, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 22
This is the story of how Tiny Epic turned Michael Coe’s fortune around. While waiting tables, Michael Coe and his wife took out a loan against their car to go all-in on their tabletop venture and ended up creating one of the most successful franchises in crowdfunding history. He discusses crowdfunding strategies, the evolution of his business model, the impact of creative elements like a 'spinner' in games, and the importance of pre-launch marketing for Kickstarter projects. Michael also stresse...
Nov 28, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Listen to the Story of Battle Systems. Colin Young, the founder and main designer of Battle Systems, shares his journey from creating terrain for war games to launching a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $2.5 million across eight crowdfunding campaigns. He discusses the challenges of running a business, the importance of community and mentorship, and the future plans for Battle Systems. This podcast provides insight into the world of independent game creation and the passion behind ...
Oct 30, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 20
This episode features Andrew and Jeff from R2i Games, who uncover the intricacies of Kickstarter campaigns, board game design, and the evolving dynamics of community engagement. Discover why a French cheese-themed game stirred a particular reaction and how strategic planning can be a game-changer months before a Kickstarter launch. If you've ever been intrigued by the behind-the-scenes world of board game development or the hidden nuances of crowdfunding, this conversation will offer valuable in...
Oct 23, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 19
George sits down with Kevin, the spokesperson and trade show manager from Bezier Games -- who are the brilliant minds behind the wildly entertaining game, "Colossal Cat in the Box" & "Castles of Mad King Ludwig." Together, they unpack the secrets to hosting a successful and budget-friendly trade show experience. From cost-effective booth strategies, like using rented U-Hauls, to the magic of Amazon for last-minute supplies, Kevin highlights the art of making an impression without breaking th...
Sep 20, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this episode, George sits down with Rita Orlov , the creative force behind games like The Emerald Flame , The Light in the Mist, and Threads of Fate. She's also the founder of her own board game and puzzle publishing house PostCurious . Rita recounts her journey from simply loving puzzles to becoming a game designer, sharing candid insights from her crowdfunding experiences and the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey. They delve into the practical challenges of Facebook ads and the ...
Sep 05, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode, George sits down for a chat with Peter, part of the marketing team behind Bird Buddy , the innovative smart bird feeder. Their two projects have raised over $11 million on Kickstarter. The conversation dives deep into the world of digital marketing, from the unpredictable virality of TikTok to the reliable reach of platforms like Facebook and Google. But it's not all about metrics and numbers. At its core, Bird Buddy thrives on its vibrant community, with dedicated Facebook grou...
Aug 28, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Join us as gaming industry veteran Ronnie Renton shares his rich history in the world of tabletop gaming, the ins and outs of acquiring licenses, and the secrets to Kickstarter success. From Mantic Games’ origins to acquiring popular licenses like "The Walking Dead," Ronnie delves into the complex relationships between creators, licensors, and the community. In this enlightening conversation, Ronnie offers sage advice on crowdfunding, emphasizing the importance of engaging with your backers as m...
Aug 16, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Matthew Meeple shares his extensive approach to the preparation for his long awaited Kickstarter campaign for his board game Ascendancy. From organizing playtesting sessions to learning all about Facebook ads, Matthew takes you on his personal journey towards his Kickstarter launch, which had been five years in the making. He launched his campaign on Kickstarter this week and is finally able to share all his hard work with the rest of us. At the heart of his strategy, Matthew emphasizes the shee...
Aug 10, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Žiga and Samo, the creators of the Eldfall Chronicles universe, talk about their impressive miniature gaming experience that has been taking the gaming community by storm. They discuss the meticulous attention to detail and quality they've invested into their products, carving out their unique niche in the highly competitive miniature wargaming market. The duo talks about the business side of things, revealing how they navigated the challenges of their first campaign, eventually growing their bu...
Jul 24, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode, George interviews Teddy Giard, the founder of Teddy Giard Studios , who shares his expertise in successful crowdfunding campaigns. Teddy discusses his experience with launching Moon Walkers' AI-powered shoes on Kickstarter and securing a deal on Shark Tank while still a student. He reveals the strategies he used to generate organic reach and PR for the Moon Walkers campaign, including a content strategy based on SEO and key search terms. Teddy emphasizes the importance of buildi...
Jul 11, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode, George interviews Brendan McCaskell, the studio head at Open Owl Studios , who has successfully launched multiple board games through crowdfunding campaigns. Brendan shares his journey from a modest $28,000 campaign to raising over $3 million combined for his games, including Stars of Akarios , Mythwind , and Stonesaga . Brendan explains that his passion for board games and the crowdfunding model led him to venture into the space. He emphasizes his entrepreneurial mindset and th...
Jun 28, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 13
If you're involved in crowdfunding, you've probably heard of Jamey Stegmaier, the founder of Stonemaier Games , who has raised millions of dollars with successful campaigns on Kickstarter. But did you know that he's now stopped using Kickstarter for his projects? In this episode, we delve into Stegmaier's early beginnings in crowdfunding, how he learned from his mistakes and built a blog that became mandatory reading for creators in the tabletop space. And most importantly, why he decided to sto...
Jun 20, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this inspiring episode, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Dragori Games , a Brazilian team of eclectic professionals who dared to follow their passion and disrupt the gaming industry. Among them, a pediatrician, a lawyer, and other professionals, exemplify the power of self-study, resilience, and the willingness to learn on the go. Their leap of faith into the unknown world of game design and crowdfunding has not only created a game that has drawn a wave of positive reviews but also...
Jun 09, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this engaging episode, we join Matthew Legault, a crucial team member behind the exciting new "Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game." Inspired by the hit video game, this board game adaptation has already taken the gaming world by storm, raising nearly $1 million on Kickstarter. Matthew takes us behind the scenes of his role, illustrating the creative journey from experienced publishers of over 40 titles to creators of their first original game. The discussion also sheds light on the company...
Jun 01, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In today's episode, we are joined by Bruce Shapiro and Micah Roth from Sisyphus Industries , the minds behind the revolutionary kinetic art tables. From a chance meeting at a Makerspace in Minneapolis, these two innovators have come together to create an intriguing blend of art, design, and technology, raising over 3 million dollars through crowdfunding campaigns. This episode explores the genesis of their collaboration, the intricate mechanics of their kinetic tables, and the development of the...
May 24, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode of our podcast, we're thrilled to have Matt and Savannah, the creative minds behind the soon-to-be-launched Kickstarter game project, "Flock Together." They take us on a captivating journey, sharing their experiences as first-time publishers. Matt and Savannah dive into the nitty-gritty of creating and marketing a game, from learning the ropes as they go, to developing an unconventional yet effective strategy of building community engagement. They've established a solid base of o...
May 22, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this podcast episode, Jim and Tim, founders of Howler Audio , chat with us about their journey in creating Howler, a device allowing DJs and musicians to record and live stream their performances simultaneously. The duo shares their experiences in crowdfunding , the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. Both engineers, Jim and Tim had a blast developing the product, and while it was hard work, they appreciated the excitement and support from backers. They discuss the importance of having...
May 10, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the world of crowdfunding for board games with Marvin Hegen, the mastermind behind the popular board game Mindbug . Listen as Marvin shares his experiences running two successful crowdfunding campaigns , including the challenges he faced and the feedback he received from users—even the advice he wishes he hadn't pursued. We also delve into the fascinating fact that one of his collaborators, a board game legend behind some of the most popular games eve...
May 08, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This is episode 5 of the YG Crowdfunding Academy podcast. Today's guest is Randall Bills. He is the managing developer at Catalyst Game Labs . This episode goes over his strategy in launching well-crafter Kickstarter campaigns, raising millions. They are currently live on Kickstarter, raising over $6 million with their project BattleTech mercenaries. Watch the podcast here . This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding ....
Apr 17, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In today's episode we're talking to Riley Keen, who's the creator behind CharaChorder. His two Kickstarter projects raised over $217,000. We asked him all about his dos and don'ts in running a Kickstarter project, how he came to participate on Shark tank and what the heck chording is. You can late pledge to his latest Kickstarter here , check out his website here , follow his Instagram here & his Tik Tok here . Check out our website here . This episode was brought to you by George from YG Cr...
Mar 31, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In today's episode we're talking to Simon, who's the creator behind Midronome. His latest Kickstarter project raised close to €160,000. We asked him all about his experiences running a crowdfunding campaign, and about his approach to running a very successful pre-launch. You can late pledge to his latest Kickstarter here , check out his website here and follow his Instagram here . Check out our website here . This episode was brought to you by George from YG Crowdfunding ....
Mar 06, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 3
