# 233: Raising Money For Scaling Via a Crowdfunding Campaign

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2024-07-25
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/podcast/233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign/

## Summary

Will Ford, President and Co-Founder of LaunchBoom, explains how hardware startups can leverage crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo to validate products and raise growth capital without giving away excessive equity early. He details the strategy of using pre-launch testing to build an audience and convert backers into investors via equity platforms like Wefunder and StartEngine, citing Dr. Squatch as a successful example of scaling from a six-figure campaign to a massive exit. Ford emphasizes bootstrapping as long as possible and using crowdfunding proceeds to fund manufacturing and delivery, thereby increasing leverage for future venture capital or retail deals.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign#t=0) Introduction: Will Ford and LaunchBoom
- [1:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign#t=112) Ford's Entrepreneurial History and Equity Mistakes
- [1:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign#t=112) The Power of Pre-selling and Convertible Debt
- [13:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign#t=827) LaunchBoom's Pre-launch Strategy and Audience Building
- [6:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign#t=411) Converting Backers to Investors and Scaling Channels
- [6:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-07-25-233-raising-money-for-scaling-via-a-crowdfunding-campaign#t=411) Dr. Squatch Case Study and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- LaunchBoom (company)
- Kickstarter (company)
- Indiegogo (company)
- Wefunder (company)
- StartEngine (company)
- Dr. Squatch (product)
- Mako Design (company)
- Facebook (company)
- Instagram (company)
- Amazon (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#015 - How to benefit for your hardware project from the first major crowdfunding platform, with Sandy Diao of Indiegogo, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-03-01-015-how-to-benefit-for-your-hardware-project-from-the-first-major-crowdfunding-p) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [S3 E7: Building Bootstrapped Hardware That Sells with Christian Reed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-13-s3-e7-building-bootstrapped-hardware-that-sells-with-christian-reed) (The Builder Circle)
- [S2E37 Defied the odds:  A Physical Product Development Firm That Focuses on Startups & Small Businesses, Mako Design + Invent –Kevin Mako](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-23-s2e37-defied-the-odds-a-physical-product-development-firm-that-focuses-on-startu) (Being an Engineer)
- [Turning Customers Into Investors: A Popcorn Brand's Crowdfunding Playbook](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-09-05-turning-customers-into-investors-a-popcorn-brands-crowdfunding-playbook) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [16: 3,841](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-08-10-16-3-841) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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