Macy’s 12th Annual “Shop For A Cause” Program, a Nationwide Charity Shopping Event that Benefits Local and National Organizations, Kicks Off the Summer with a New Charity Challenge

New partnership with CrowdRise allows organizations to raise funds by rallying their networks, with multiple prizes given away to top-performing groups

By Robert Hoskins, Crowdfunding PR

New York City, New York – Macy’s 12^th annual Shop For A Cause program, a nationwide charity shopping event that benefits local and national organizations, kicks off this summer with a new Charity Challenge hosted by CrowdRise, which recently merged with GoFundMe, the #1 crowdfunding platform in the world, offers people and organizations the best fundraising tools in the crowdfunding industry to raise money and donations for any cause they care passionately about.

To participate in this fundraising challenge, charities can sign up now through July 18 and will have the opportunity to win up to $300,000 in cash prizes, along with funds raised through the Challenge itself.

 

 

 

How It Works:

• 501(c)3 charities and accredited schools in the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico can complete their application to participate through Tuesday, July 18.
• Beginning Tuesday, July 11, participating charities can use their individual fundraising page on CrowdRise to rally and raise money online; prizes will be awarded to the top five charities.*
• As a “thank you” for donating, each donor will receive an exclusive savings pass to shop at Macy’s during the annual Shop For A Cause event, Thursday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 13.

As in previous years, Macy’s has designated the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization in support of pregnancy and baby health, as the exclusive national beneficiary for Macy’s Shop For A Cause event. From Aug. 10 through Aug. 13, customers who give $5 to the March of Dimes at any Macy’s store or online at macys.com will receive the Shop For A Cause savings pass.

“Since 2006, we’ve helped raise tens of millions of dollars for accredited schools and nonprofits nationwide through Macy’s Shop For A Cause,” said Lauren Anania, Macy’s Director of Cause Marketing. “By adding this new online challenge through CrowdRise, we aim to make it even easier for charities to get involved and raise funds for their ongoing efforts.”

*Charity Challenge prizes include $100,000 for the charity that raises the most online, $50,000 for second place, $25,000 for third place, $15,000 for fourth place and $10,000 for fifth place. There also will be weekly Bonus Challenges for organizations to win an additional $100,000 in total.

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M), delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 670 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com.

Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $54 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

Used by millions of individuals, tens of thousands of charities, hundreds of companies and many of the most famous artists and athletes in the world, CrowdRise enables people to creatively leverage their resources and networks to unlock the power of the crowd to support positive social missions and create massive impact.

Before merging with GoFundMe.com, the CrowdRise’s donation crowdfunding site was founded by actor Edward Norton, film producer Shauna Robertson and Robert and Jeffrey Wolfe, which powered donation-based crowdfunding campaigns that have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for special causes.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

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Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

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Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding” to see why Mr. Hoskins runs one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding PR, social media and marketing agencies that has amassed a huge social media following and is dedicated to supporting a wide variety of donation, rewards and equity crowdfunding campaigns.

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NasKart Indoor Kart Raceway Hosts Media Day for Reporters and Bloggers that Cover Motorsports, Entertainment Venues and Tourist Attractions in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island

Reporters will be treated to an F1-like motorsports racing experience at the world’s largest and longest indoor multi-level racetrack to compete for the fastest track times and the coveted Media Day Trophy!

 By Robert Hoskins

Montville, CT – Feel the need for speed? Searching for a place to get your next adrenaline rush? NasKart Indoor Kart Racing (http://naskartracing.com) challenges all journalists, reporters and news/sports anchors and bloggers to come out to our new indoor kart racing facility and trampoline park to and partake in the Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island Media Day Event Racing & Photo Opportunity.

NasKart Indoor Kart Racing and Trampoline Park Opens the World’s Largest Indoor Go Kart Raceway in Connecticut

Come learn first hand what it feels like to step on the accelerator and experience the thrill and excitement as sixteen go kart racers head for the first turn and then down the backstretch at up to 45 mph.

Practice racing opportunities will be available for those who show up early. No racing skills are required. All safety gear will be provided. Racing excitement is guaranteed!

RSVPs Are Required – Reporters can sign up at https://www.facebook.com/events/353832974993604/ or contact Robert Hoskins at rhoskins@frontpagepr.com

Who: NASKART LLC Ownership Team: Stephen & Sandi Sangermano, Dan & Stephanie Fawcett, and Brookside Private Equity

Ronald K. McDaniel, Mayor of Montville, Connecticut
Thomas A. (Tony) Sheridan, President, Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce

What: Ribbon Cutting – Connecticut/Rhode Island Media Day Racing & Photo Opportunity

Where: 1 Sachatello Industrial Dr., Oakdale, CT 06370

When: December 8, 2016
3:00 pm – Meet and Greet/Brunch with Hot Hors d’oeuvres/Cold Drinks
3:30 pm – Photo Op: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
4:00 pm – Indoor Kart Racing Practice Laps Begin
4:30 pm – Media Day Racing Begins
5:00 pm – Photo Op: In-Kart or Winner’s Podium

Why: All reporters will receive a chance to race 18-horsepower electric karts American built by Velocity Motorsports that can attain speeds as high as 45-mph.

All racers will receive the same excitement and adrenaline rush that F1 racecar drivers feel when they see the green light flash, step on the accelerator and compete with 15 other race kart drivers as they speed through 13 hairpin sloped and 180-degree banked turns racing down 2 electrifying passing straightaways on a four-level racetrack.

All drivers will receive the thrill of a lifetime!

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Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

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Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding” to see why Mr. Hoskins is considered one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding experts that has amassed a huge social media following, which is dedicated to supporting donation-, rewards- and equity-based crowdfunding campaigns.

Staples Opens First-of-Its-Kind Online Retail Store Shelf Slots for New Crowdfunded Products

The debut of the online store marks the first time a retailer has used crowdfunding to determine market demand and social support in choosing products to carry

By Robert Hoskins

Framingham, Massachusetts – The winners of the inaugural Crowd2Shelf Contest debut on Staples’ new entrepreneurial store at Staples.com/fundable. Created by Fundable and sponsored by Staples, the Crowd2Shelf Contest drew thousands of startups across the country competing for a chance to crowdfund their way to Staples. The Crowd2Shelf Contest was also made possible by the business strategy firm Sprosty Network.

Staples Carries New Crowdfunding Products via Online Stores

Contestants demonstrated demand for their innovative products by gathering votes and crowdfunding pledges. A panel of innovation experts, including Fundable and Staples representatives, chose the winners based on votes, success of crowdfunding campaigns, and each judges’ understanding of what it takes for a startup to be successful.

The debut of the online store marks the first time a retailer has used crowdfunding to determine market demand and social support in choosing products to carry.

“We’re proud to showcase our Crowd2Shelf entrepreneurs through our new online store and help them launch their ideas,” said Daniel Reilly, Director of Product Design and Innovation at Staples. “We were incredibly impressed with the caliber of startup product companies that participated and are thrilled to offer our customers these innovative new products to help them make more happen.”

The winning products and contestants include:

• Folding Bluetooth keyboard
  Jorno – Los Angeles, Calif. (exclusive to Staples)

• Remote-controlled recessed LED lighting
  EVA – Wilmington, DE (exclusive to Staples)

• Outlet-mounted Bluetooth music player
  The Plug Radio – Hollywood, Calif. (exclusive to Staples)

• Smartphone-controlled lighting
  Plum – Austin, Texas

• Secure tablet holder
  nHand – Tulsa, Oklahoma

“We’re pleased to see the winners of the Crowd2shelf contest now available on Staples.com,” said Wil Schroter, CEO, Fundable. “The contest has been an incredible journey for each of these startup companies, and given each of them the opportunity of a lifetime to turn a great idea into a household name.”

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile devices.

Fundable is one of the largest business crowdfunding platform with nearly $200 million in commitments and exclusively dedicated to helping businesses. Different from any other crowdfunding platform, Fundable offers both rewards and equity business crowdfunding options. Fundable is a part of the Startups.co platform, the world’s largest startup launch platform with tools to help startups and entrepreneurs at any stage of their business.

Sprosty Network is a business strategy and innovation firm helping clients re-imagine technology and the delivery of products, services, and experiences. They have worked for companies ranging from Fortune 50 retailers to startups, and bring a wealth of expertise in leading and developing consumer technology, wireless solutions, and emerging technologies.

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Arc Angel Seeks Dealers, Ecommerce Sites, Franchises, Resellers, and Manufacturer’s Representatives to Pre-Sell Stun Canes, Pet Defenders and Tactical Stun Devices (TSD)

@ArcAngelStunGun prepares to place its first large-scale manufacturing run and would like to pass along big discounts and savings to dealers and wholesalers who help achieve higher-volumes and lower prices

By Robert Hoskins

Los Angeles, CA – After receiving strong customer demand for its Stun Canes, Big Sticks and Pet Defenders, Arc Angel (www.aastuncane.com) is now building out its sales and distribution channel network and plans to place its first large manufacturing production run earlier than expected. To secure better pricing for its distribution partners, Arc Angel is now offering up to 50% discounts for a limited time to retailers/dealers, resellers and distributors who are willing to place orders now to help increase Arc Angel’s volume for its first large manufacturing production run. Larger order quantities will achieve better volume production discounts and provide more margin for Arc Angel’s channel partners.

Arc Angel Stun Canes, Stun Sticks and Tactical Stun Guns offer a Non-Lethal Self Defense Weapon for Consumers and Law Enforcement Agencies

“Arc Angel Stun Canes and Pet Defenders are manufactured with rugged, industrial-strength, aircraft aluminum form factors, long-lasting NiMh batteries and are manufactured to compete directly against the Taser Stun Gun as an affordable, non-lethal force option for law enforcement agencies,” said Glenn Willey, Arc Angel’s CEO. “Our products are built to last with intense daily use, not just by consumers, but by large professional security forces with brute strength requirements.”

“Right now Stun Canes, Big Sticks and Pet Defenders are marketed to consumers seeking self-protection options,” Willey continued. “But soon Arc Angel will be introducing a new line of Tactical Stun Devices (TSDs) that will target police, military, emergency first defenders, federal government, homeland security and other types of tactical security/law enforcement agencies that will benefit from using non-lethal force as an alternative to loaded firearms in order to avoid wrongful death lawsuits like the Darren Wilson/Michael Brown ordeal in Ferguson, Missouri when possible.”

If Darren Wilson had been carry a Tactical Stun Gun instead of a gun, Michael Brown might still be alive.

All channel partners that sign up to participate in Arc Angel Channel Marketing Program will receive a special preview briefing on the new TSD product line after signing a NDA. They also will be allowed to participate in bringing this product to market in an upcoming Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which will be supported by a nationwide advertising, PR and social media cooperative marketing campaign.

Tactical Stun Gun Channel Marketing Partners Wanted:

• Self Defense Ecommerce Sites – Arc Angel seeks eCommerce centers, online stores and blogs that sell self defense stun guns, Tasers, tactical weapons, police gear and/or uniforms to resell its products.

• Tactical Gear Retailers, Gun Dealers, Stores – Arc Angel seeks retailers and dealers that sell stun guns, Tasers, tactical weapons, law enforcement gear and/or uniforms to stock its tactical stun gun and self defense products.

• Non-Lethal Self Defense Franchises – Arc Angel seeks franchisors/franchisees that would like to add Arc Angel’s Stun Canes, Pet Defenders and Tactical Stun Devices to their franchise’s self-defense product portfolio.

• Stun Gun Resellers, Distributors, Wholesalers – Arc Angel seeks resellers, and distributors that sell stun guns, Tasers, tactical weapons, police gear and/or uniforms that would like resell and distribute Arc Angel’s Stun Canes, Big Sticks, Pet Defenders and Tactical Stun Devices.

• Self Protection Manufacturer’s Representatives – Arc Angel seeks manufacturer reps that sell complementary law enforcement, military tactical gear and self-protection product lines into big box retailers and would like to add Arc Angel Tactical Stun Device (TSD) products to their non-lethal, self-protection and law enforcement portfolios.

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BBB Bootcamp Offers 50% Discount on Body, Booty, Boxing Workout Indiegogo Gift Cards

Indiegogo Perks that Make Perfect Gifts for Birthdays, Holidays and 2014 New Year’s Resolutions to Start Working Out

By Robert Hoskins

BBB Bootcamp continued its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign by offering perks of half-price memberships until October 31, 2013, for its body, booty, boxing fitness boot camps held at the Pan Pacific Park in West Los Angeles on Tuesdays/Thursdays at 6:30 am and Saturdays at 8:15 am located at 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Body Boxing Bootcamp Launches Indiegogo Fitness Crowdfunding Campaign to Finance their
State-of-the-Art Boot Camp Workout Center for Clients and Personal Trainers in Los Angeles

For a limited time, clients can sign-up for ten workout sessions worth $200, for only $100, which is a 50% discount off the regular rate. Other crowdfunding perks include cool wrist bands, baseball caps, hoodie sweat shirts, SmartPhone workout apps and personal training business plans that will teach anyone how to get into the body boxing boot camp business.

• To buy a workout gift card, click here: http://igg.me/at/Body-Boxing-Bootcamp/x/1907888
• To sign up for one free trial class, click here: http://www.meetup.com/Boxing-Bootcamp-In-Pan-Pacific-Park/

BBB workouts are very popular gifts to give friends, family and business associates for birthdays, holidays, Christmas presents and 2014 New Year’s Resolutions that want to lose weight, learn self-defense and begin living a more healthy and active lifestyle.

The fundraising campaign’s goal is to raise $375,000 to build an indoor workout facility in West Los Angeles where members will enjoy protection from inclement weather, new changing rooms for people on their way to work and provide a new community center that can be rented out.

Customers that would like to see the new facility open up should donate money by ordering boot camp memberships at: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/body-boxing-boot-camp-seeks-funding-to-open-a-fitness-center-in-los-angeles/x/1907888

The workout center will offer boxing workout techniques combined with dancing, kickboxing, resistance training (rubber bands/light weight lifting), jumping/quick movement drills, calisthenics (using one’s own body weight), obstacle courses, circuit training and parachute running.

Crowdfunding is a great tool for local community members to pool their money together to help entrepreneurs such as BBB Bootcamp launch new businesses that will create jobs and stimulate the local economy. If successful, BBB will have enough room for 40 new fitness instructors to start a personal training business.

Body Boxing Bootcamp Launches Indiegogo Fitness Crowdfunding Campaign to Finance their State-of-the-Art Boot Camp Workout Center for Clients and Personal Trainers in Los Angeles

BBB is offering boxing boot camp personal trainer perks, fitness boot camp gift cards and workout center pre-orders to donors living in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Park La Brea, West Beverly, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles and Wilshire

By Robert Hoskins

Body Boxing Bootcamp launched a community internet-based fundraising campaign on indiegogo’s crowdfunding platform to help raise money to open a new fitness boot camp workout center located in Los Angeles just west of Hollywood, California.

Body Boxing Bootcamp Launches Indiegogo Fitness Crowdfunding Campaign to Finance their
State-of-the-Art Boot Camp Workout Center for Clients and Personal Trainers in Los Angeles

Crowdfunding is a new way for local community members to pool their money together in order to help local entrepreneurs launch businesses customers would like to see introduced into their cities and towns based on their own personal desire to buy or use the product or service.

For example, there are plenty of traditional gyms in the Hollywood area, but none of them feature the mixture of boxing workout techniques combined with dancing, Thai kickboxing, resistance training (rubber bands and light weight lifting), plyometrics (jumping and quick movement drills), calisthenics (using one’s own body weight), obstacle courses, circuit training, and parachute running.

Customers that would like see the new workout facility open up can log on to and donate money by pre-ordering boot camp training workouts, buying fitness gift cards for friends or purchasing one or signing up to become a personal trainer at:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/body-boxing-boot-camp-seeks-funding-to-open-a-fitness-center-in-los-angeles/x/1907888

In return for a donation, BBB is offering to train anyone that wants to learn how to become a personal trainer and is offering a white paper, DVD, Smartphone wireless app, business plan template and all the necessary equipment to get into the personal trainer boot camp business.

Body Boxing Bootcamp fitness  workouts target:

1. Young singles seeking active lifestyles;
2. Baby boomers preventing the onset of old age;
3. Overweight kids seeking to gain a better self image and self-defense skills;
4. Celebrities, movie stars, rock stars who prefer private workouts when visiting Hollywood; and
5. Anyone that wants to lose weight and get into an active routine that is fun and burns lots of calories.

“Both private personal training and group workout sessions will be offered, but the majority of the boxing boot camps will be done in groups of ten to twenty people,” said Kevin Barringer, Body Boxing Bootcamp’s CEO and head personal trainer.  “When people workout together, over time they become friends. And most friends are competitive and like to push each other to work harder.  This is the secret sauce that makes our classes fun and keeps our clients coming back for more.”

Body Boxing Bootcamp (BBB) needs $375,000 to lease retail space, renovate it and build a specially formatted workout center that will provide plenty of space for indoor workouts that are similar to the outdoor classes that the company offers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the nearby Pan Pacific Park.

In addition to its own fitness boxing boot camps, BBB plans to rent out space in the gym to other personal trainers and Meetup boot camp organizers.

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KPCB, NVIDIA, Shasta Ventures, and Occam Partners Follow Successful OUYA Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign with Venture Capital Investments Bringing the Total of $15 Million in New Funding Raised

By Robert Hoskins

In a sign of thing to come for the infant Crowdfunding industry, video game startup OUYA announced $15 million in new venture capital funding led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), with participation from the Mayfield Fund, NVIDIA, Shasta Ventures, and Occam Partners. The company intends to use the additional funding to support OUYA’s growing game development community, and meet increased demand for the upcoming retail launch. KPCB General Partner Bing Gordon will join the company’s board of directors, which also includes Julie Uhrman , OUYA founder and CEO, and Roy Bahat , chairman of the Board.

KPCB, NVIDIA, Shasta Ventures, and Occam Partners Follow Successful #OUYA #Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign with Venture Capital Investments Bringing the New Total of $15 Million in New Funding Raised

OUYA’s vision for a new kind of game console, open to all game developers, was brought to life through the support of early backers who crowdfunded the initial product development on Kickstarter. The crowdfunding effort set Kickstarter records, and delivered $8.6 million – almost nine times the target raise – signaling strong consumer demand for the console.  Venture funding validates the business strategy.

“We want OUYA to be here for a long time to come,” said Uhrman.  “The message is clear: people want OUYA.  We first heard this from Kickstarter backers who provided more than $8 million to help us build OUYA, then from over 12,000 developers who have registered to make an OUYA game, next from retailers who are carrying OUYA online and soon on store shelves, and now from top pioneering investors.”

Before joining KPCB where Gordon is focused on digital investments, he was a long-time executive at Electronic Arts, beginning with EA’s founding in 1982 which had initial funding from KPCB. As an OUYA board member, Gordon will advise the company as it scales its development community and executes its retail strategy and product development plans. Gordon also serves on the board of directors of Amazon, Klout, Lockerz, MEVIO, Zazzle and Zynga.

“OUYA’s open source platform creates a new world of opportunity for established and emerging independent game creators and gamers alike,” said Gordon.  “There are some types of games that can only be experienced on a TV, and OUYA is squarely focused on bringing back the living room gaming experience. OUYA will allow game developers to unleash their most creative ideas and satisfy gamers craving a new kind of experience.”

OUYA’s appeal lies in its unique philosophy within the console market. On OUYA, every game is free to try, and any developer can publish a game. OUYA is powerful enough to run 3D games in beautiful 1080p HD with its NVIDIA Tegra-3 processor, and open enough to invite game developers to bring their most creative inventions back to the television. More than 12,000 game creators worldwide have registered to make an OUYA game, from AAA studios to new entrants, including Square Enix, Inc., Double Fine Productions, Tripwire Interactive, Vlambeer, Kim Swift ‘s Airtight Games, Mighty Rabbit Studios, nWay, Polytron Corporation, and many others.

OUYA is now shipping exclusively to early backers as part of a preview program.  On June 25th, OUYA will be available for purchase in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, GAME, GameStop, and Target, and on OUYA.tv for $99.99. Additional controllers will retail for $49.99.  Through these retailers, consumers can pre-order OUYA today.

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Five Tips on How to Get Great Publicity for Crowdfunding PR Campaigns in Media Outlets Everywhere

By Robert Hoskins

Looking for a cost-effective way to get some positive publicity for your Crowdfunding Platform or Crowdfunding PR campaign to reach potential donors/investors?

Front Page PR is the #1 Crowdfunding PR firm in America for Fundraising

Follow these simple directions:

1. Hire a Crowdfunding PR firm to help you write a search engine optimized press release
2. Release the news via a professional, paid newswire service (free news wires are ignored by reporters)
3. The same Crowdfunding PR firm should also conduct a media relations campaign to contact all reporters that cover your Crowdfunding subject matter
4. Post the news wire URL link from your press release into one of the following vertical business Crowdfunding PR categories so donors, investors and members of the press can find it
5. Make sure to include a picture of the product, an executive headshot or your company’s logo. Stories with a picture/logo/infographic are picked up 50% more by the press.

Select one of the following categories and post your press release: Business , Cities, Communities, Crowdfunding Platforms, Education, Film, Music, Entertainment, Games, Videos, Social Good, Solar, Renewable Energy and Software, Hardware, and Technology Gadgets.   Don’t see your category listed? Tell us to add it and we will.

Both Crowdfunding platform owners and Crowdfunding campaign managers and PR staff can post their news and press releases into these free discussion forums to promote maximum social media exposure.  Don’t forget to include hashtags (#), which Linkedin.com is now linking to people and companies with Linkedin.com profiles.

Crowdfunding reporters scan news these Crowdfunding PR campaign categories on daily basis looking for new and exciting Crowdfunding news stories to cover.  The same is true for donors and investors that are looking for cool new Crowdfunding campaigns to invest.  Post it for free so anyone and everyone on LinkedIn.com can find it.

To learn more about the Crowdfunding industry and startup local Crowdfunding community outreach programs, please join our free American Crowdfunding Center on LinkedIn.com or Meetup.com and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

Become a Crowdfunding Advocate by starting up a Crowdfunding Meetup in your city or town and promote Crowdfunding as a social and economic development finance tool.

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CrowdIt Unveils Crowdfunding Platform to Finance America’s Dreams

By Robert Hoskins

CrowdIt, the crowdfunding site that helps American’s finance the “American Dream,” announced early crowdfunding projects submitted to its site are now available for public preview through its new “Project Carousel” at www.crowdit.com.   CrowdIt will continue to populate the carousel with additional projects leading up to the official launch of funding activity on June 4.

CrowdIt acts as a “virtual incubator” and represents a new approach to crowdfunding by including peer-review feedback, mentoring and business networking as part of its offering. As part of its launch, CrowdIt will contribute $10,000 to the project that reaches the highest amount of funding by Aug. 18, 2013.

“CrowdIt has garnered the attention of entrepreneurs and startup communities that are looking for more than just funding support, and it shows in the type of projects being loaded into the site for launch on June 4,” said Jason Graf, co-founder and CEO of CrowdIt. “Every day we see more exciting projects come in and we can’t wait for the projects to go live so dreamers can move to the next step in their journey to success.”

Examples of projects being submitted to CrowdIt include:

• EZ Learn Stencil Tablet – patent-pending technology helps children in math, reading and literacy skills by helping them to trace and recognize letters, numbers, words, shapes and colors.
• Chalam – this songwriter from India who survived the great 2004 tsunami wants to record and make her music available for the world to hear.
• Imagine IPD – this clean energy startup has a mission to implement its technology to introduce a new and innovative clean energy alternative to decrease the dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon footprints.
• Chic Furniture on a Budget – this Tampa Fla. startup helps those on a tight budget find, restore and furnish their home or apartment through well-proven techniques.
• Simply Sinful Lingerie Parties – After more than 20 years in retail and direct sales, this Dreamer wants to incorporate a love for sales and creativity to offer unique and fun products to the world.

CrowdIt’s vision is that crowdfunding needs to extend beyond the funding event – exemplified in its tagline, “Don’t Just Dream It: CrowdIt!” Its website is architected to offer a new crowdfunding experience and to optimize the crowd in all facets of the site – from project evaluation and acceptance to peer review and networking.

The CrowdIt site includes:

• Flexible Funding – CrowdIt offers Dreamers the flexibility to fund either “all” or “partial” projects based upon the unique needs of the campaign.
• Networking – CrowdIt incorporates social networking into its site to encourage mentoring and business-to-business networking.
• Peer Review – CrowdIt believes in the “power of the crowd” to provide feedback for project proposals, ideas and strategies presented by Dreamers.
• Interactivity – CrowdIt is a highly social, interactive and collaborative community site that provides an engaging experience for all who visit and participate in it.
• Crowd Power – unlike other crowdfunding sites, CrowdIt is designed to empower the community to drive decisions concerning project review and acceptance, feedback and advice, and input for future features to improve the site.

CrowdIt is now accepting crowdfunding projects and projects will go live on the site June 4, 2013. The company is contributing $10,000 to the project that reaches the highest amount of funding by Aug. 18, 2013, 75 days after the go-live date.

Based in America’s heartland of Springfield, MO, CrowdIt is the crowdfunding site for believers of the New American Dream. Its crowdfunding site goes beyond just funding great ideas, but focuses on supporting success through peer and expert advisory support, business networking and sharing of best practices and knowledge. CrowdIt’s belief is that crowdfunding will help drive the next wave in innovation and economic expansion, and underpins its mission to support small business growth.

Daily Grommet Touts New Crowdfunding Campaigns for THINX, Frogglez Goggles, DoorJamz and MAX’IS Creations

By Robert Hoskins

Daily Grommet, an online shopping site and product launch platform, has announced that four of the teams who participated in its live ‘From Home Plate to a Home Run’ competition have launched Indiegogo campaigns as a significant step in developing interest and further investment in their product concepts. Crowdfunding is a critical step in the journey to becoming a market-ready product.

Daily Grommet Touts New Crowdfunding Campaigns for THINX, Frogglez Goggles, DoorJamz and MAX’IS Creations

The four companies who participated in the event currently have live campaigns that will run until May 1, 2013. All have an early stage product that is ready to receive an appropriate level of funding to either create a prototype, secure a distribution channel or facilitate another aspect of their growing business. Each campaign will be featured on the Daily Grommet partner page on the Indiegogo site, which can be viewed here.

THINX, the winner of the product competition is asking for $10,000 and hopes to continue the momentum and production for their leak and stain resistant underwear with this new campaign. They’ve already received strong public interest and media attention since they took the top spot at the event last week.

Frogglez Goggles, comfortable kid’s swim goggles, was the runner-up at the event and has also gone live with a campaign. The founder is asking for the public’s help with his $20,000 goal to manufacture enough goggles for an initial order.

DoorJamz, a customizable doortone for your home, is hoping for $90,000 to finalize their design and begin initial production.

MAX’IS Creations, a mug designed with a basketball hoop attached was designed by an 8-year-old-boy and the winner of the community’s popular vote at the event. His campaign is live and is hoping the campaign will help with manufacturing as well as promoting awareness for dyslexia research. They’ve included a $5 donation level in their campaign, 100 percent of which will be donated to dyslexia research at the Carroll School in Waltham, Massachusetts.

“These products all have tremendous potential and are only at the start of their journey. Once they are successfully funded, the real work begins. We are proud to watch them from start to finish and plan to share their story along with Indiegogo and gain as many contributions as possible” says Jules Pieri, CEO and Co-Founder of Daily Grommet.
The Daily Grommet is a highly curated online marketplace and launch platform for products of great utility, style or invention that haven’t hit the big-time yet. Daily Grommet seeks out these unique products, carefully tests them, and produces a video review of each one telling the story behind its creation. Daily Grommet is rooted in the philosophy of Citizen Commerce whereby regular people form the commerce experience by suggesting products that reflect their values and interests. Citizen Commerce turns the typical top down retailer approach sideways, encourages global product innovation from small producers, and satisfies the consumer’s need to know the stories behind and origins of favorite products.