Xiaomi is not just a smartphone company or an electronic giant but is also a hub of innovation. With its innovative products released every other month, it has given the signal to the world that it will enter every sector that has any space for innovation. Recently Xiaomi-backed Yunmai launched a new wearable called the Yunmai smart training watch for INR 7200. If we take the clock back a few days to February 15, 2019, Xiaomi Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2 were launched in India that featured Fishbone Structure and shock absorbance for INR 2500 and a Mi Luggage suitcase for INR 2,999 in September 2018. Now, Xiaomi is back with another innovative product. This time it has launched a crowdfunding campaign for smart fingerprint lock (AreoX Smart Fingerprint U-lock) that obviously operates on the fingerprint sensor but comes with a physical unlock key as well if the battery runs out.

Now, the important thing to notice here is that most of these products were launched through the crowdfunding campaigns, has innovation speak its best, are in budget and also curated keeping Indian customer requirements in mind. The crowdfunding project on Xiaomi’s crowdfunding platform YouPin has already crossed 1,011,000 Chinese Yuan (>Rs 1 Crore), which is almost 2.5 times of its set target. You can crowdfund and get the U-Lock with the shorter beam priced at 199 RMB(INR 2050) and the other one with the longer beam priced at 219 RMB (INR 2256) which is likely to start shipping from May 23, 2019.

Key features Xiaomi’s AreoX Smart Fingerprint U-lock Sports

As per the crowdfunding page, the U-lock can be used to lock bikes and even cars. The U-lock sports a stainless steel lock beam for which the company claims, can’t be easily cut with the help of a hacksaw and comes with “an anti-theft lock body”. The body of the lock is IP65 certified that makes it resistant to water and dust. The biometric identification can unlock within about 0.55 seconds and as to serve the purpose of any lock, to keep your belongings secure, the company claims that the lock detects dummy fingerprints within seconds. Its battery can last up to 12 months and you get a USB Type-C port in case, it gets discharged.

A smart lock that costs INR 2000 to save your precious belongings isn’t a bad deal? What are your views on this thing?

Sources:

Xiaomi announces the AreoX Smart Fingerprint U-lock priced at 199 yuan (~$29) – Gizmochina

Xiaomi launches AreoX Smart Fingerprint U-lock as part of crowdfunding program – BGR

AreoX smart fingerprint U-lock – YouPin

Main Image: ©

The post Xiaomi Is On The Roll, Launches AreoX Smart Fingerprint U-lock For INR 2000 appeared first on Catapooolt.

VidAngel, an American streaming video and production company released a concept pilot of The Chosen, a story of Jesus, on social media that ended up being viewed 15 million times. Yes. That actually happened. No kidding.

This is what Dallas Jenkins, director and co-writer of the series, who recently directed The Resurrection of Gavin Stone for Blumhouse Productions and Walden Media, has to say on the miracle:-

“We started this campaign with no built-in audience and we based it on a short film I made on my friend’s Illinois farm for my church’s Christmas Eve service after my previous film had disappointed at the box office,” Jenkins said. “What’s happened has blown us away, but it’s an indication that there’s tremendous demand for something like this. I love binge-watching original series, so why not one about Jesus and his followers?”

The project utilised “equity crowdfunding” to raise money for the scripted show, offering one share for each dollar invested. The production company artfully issued equity to investors making the use of a provision made in 2016 in President Obama’s so-called JOBS Act. The “equity crowdfunding“ is highly regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), but has stated that production companies and other entities can offer a share of the profits to online strangers who financially invest in their projects.

This project called “The Chosen” is live and has raised more than $9 million. They are seeking $13 million to produce a full series.

Here are the historical statistics of crowdfunding in any TV show:

Super Troopers 2, the record-holder for film and TV category in Indiegogo raised $4.6 million. Mystery Science Theater 3000, which was later picked up by Netflix had raised $5.8 million on Kickstarter. None of these projects at Kickstarter or Indiegogo offered equity to investors.

What shall we learn from it?

Equity crowdfunding and rewards basics. 

• It should be noted that these shares can’t be resold at this time, but managers of the production company have guaranteed that they shall not accept any profits — should there be any — until all investors make at least 120 percent on their investment made. Investors could also potentially make more money, as they are the partial owners in perpetuity. VidAngel and crowdfunding investors are hoping to make a profit via streaming and broadcast licenses, DVD and VOD.

• Instead of the usual reward schemes, like tickets to screenings, DVDs or one on one interaction opportunity with actors, they chose to go with equity crowdfunding and the results are in front of you.

You can watch the pilot of “The Chosen” and listen to the team behind the project in the following videos below.  

Do let us know your views on the matter discussed. If you also have any idea that has been lingering in your mind for long and has not manifest just because of lack of funds, you can launch your campaign with Catapooolt – India’s largest crowdfunding platform.  

Main Image: ©VidAngel

The post The Chosen, A TV Show About Jesus, Issues Equity, Making It The Largest-Ever Crowdfunded Campaign In The Category appeared first on Catapooolt.

Don’t tell me you wouldn’t want to get your hands on a mystery letter if you had a chance. Are you that sane? That pretty hands? I hope not. Mysterious Letters thinks the same. I mean the bunch is crazy. Crazy enough to change the world. This is how they rewarded their backers on their Kickstarter campaign launched in 2009. It is ugly, it is insane but it is beautiful. If you are anything like me, you would not want to miss on their letters.   

Pledge $24 or more: You will receive a unique hand-written postcard composed whilst we were sober, clear-headed and utterly focused on the task.

Pledge $25 or more: You will receive a unique hand-scrawled postcard written while we were drunk, which we’ll regret horribly by the time it arrives.

©Mysterious Letters

Now, don’t you think that is some awesome marketing hack? I believe it is one. Some of the rewards on your campaign must give an adrenaline rush to the backer. Isn’t that what we all miss and crave for? Give it to them. Give it to them right away.

Here are few crazy, sick, sober and killer reward ideas that you can experiment with. I insist. No? Ok, never mind. I am stubborn. You, do it.

1. Let your backers get involved and have a say in the outcome of your product.

If you are working on a product, send them a spare or broken part of it as an acknowledgement of their participation and support, throughout the product journey. Share the ups and downs of your struggle. This way you will pave a path for them to emotionally invest in your product and they would be eagerly waiting forward to your updates. In short, give them an experience of ownership and by then you would have added some of the most loyal customer, friends, bloggers and evangelist in your circle who would be more than happy to share your crowdfunding campaign on their facebook or twitter profiles.

You can invite your premium backers for a visit to your office, for a meal or a coffee with your team and make them feel special. Try to make it an experience which they would love to share with their friends and family.

2. Let them flaunt that cool beanie you will customize especially for them.

©Cross RodAce

Show your love by spoiling them with some wearable art craft, headwear, mugs or Bobblehead dolls. Do you want me to vouch for Bobblehead?

Want to make it even more special? How about wearing a T-shirt with their face or a caricature on it during your campaign launch or a related photoshoot?

©Tiki Shark

3. Give a literal shout out to your awesome backers at the launch party or on social media.

Represent them as a part of your team. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram. Give them the credit for their support.

4. Share your 101 expert tips and tricks or organise an online workshop for the same.

©Everything Sherlock

Now, this could be anything from growth hacking tips to Ukulele lessons. You can also share code keys so your backers can hack away.

5. Scavenger hunt! Sounds good?

Why not organize one for the backers in your city? Set the rules for finding rewards, meeting the creators, and then having a kickass party at the end!

6. You can send handwritten postcards from rest stops on your tour.

©maplepostblog

Suppose if you are going for cross country concert trip or to raise funds for a cause, you can always send personalised handwritten postcards to your backers from the rest stops on your tour.

7. Throw a surprise party.

©Green Hat Films

You can go for a house party with some unique theme. Throw a pizza or taco party for your premium backers. This is it. You gotta do it.  

8. Customised memes for the backer’s pet.

©Green Hat Films

You can create a set of personalized memes of a backer’ pet. You can also experiment with instant polaroid shot images for them. An instant photoshoot. Won’t that be adorable? They will love you for making things so special for their loved ones.

9. Make them Personalised Infographics.

©adioma

You can create a scintillating infographic, especially designed on the timeline of the backer. Here is what Anna Vital, founder of Adioma and Information Designer did.

10. Backstage passes.

©Merchsupply

Who would want to miss an opportunity to meet the artists in person and party with them? Backstage passes are the real deal.

So these were few killer reward ideas to get your backers kill that pledge button. I am planning to make one more list, so don’t forget to share your ideas in the comment section. Let your creativity unfold.

Main Image: ©Tiki Shark

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