Want to get a head start? Amazon Payments verification can take up to 7 days, so visit your Account section to get the ball rolling.
Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects.
These are our guidelines:
Everything on Kickstarter must be a project.
A project is something with a clear end, like making an album, a film, or a new game. A project will eventually be completed, and something will be produced as a result.
Every project on Kickstarter must fit into one of our categories.
Our categories are Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater.
Are those the only guidelines?
Those are the main two, but read on for specific uses of Kickstarter that are not allowed, and note that Hardware and Product Design projects have additional guidelines below. We don't curate projects based on taste. Instead, we do a quick check to make sure they meet these guidelines.
Who can create a project on Kickstarter?
Creating projects is currently open to creators over the age of 18 and based in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (see full details). Businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations can also use Kickstarter to fund their creative projects.
What is not allowed?
Kickstarter cannot be used to raise money for causes, whether it's the Red Cross or a scholarship, or for "fund my life" projects, like tuition or bills.
Creators cannot offer equity or financial incentives (ownership, share of profits, repayment/loans, cash-value equivalents, etc).
Projects cannot resell items or offer rewards not produced by the project or its creator.
Creators cannot promise to donate a portion of funds raised or future revenue to a cause.
Projects cannot offer rewards in bulk quantities (more than 10).
Kickstarter cannot be used to fund websites or apps focused on e-commerce, business, and social networking.
Kickstarter cannot be used to fund software projects not run by the developers themselves.
Kickstarter cannot be used to buy real estate.
Projects cannot offer alcohol as a reward.
Projects cannot offer genetically modified organisms as a reward.
No self-help material (books, videos, etc). This includes projects that offer (or produce materials that offer) business, emotional, financial, health, medical, sex/seduction, or other self-help advice.
No offensive material (hate speech, etc); pornographic material; or projects endorsing or opposing a political candidate.
No tobacco, drugs, and drug paraphernalia; energy food and drinks; or nutritional supplements.
No contests, raffles, coupons, gambling, or lifetime memberships.
No bath, beauty, and cosmetic products; electronic surveillance equipment; eyewear (sunglasses, prescription glasses, and others); firearms, weapons, knives, weapon accessories, and replicas of weapons; medical, health, safety, and personal care products; or infomercial-type products.
Hardware and Product Design guidelines
Show your work
Projects must be clear about their state of development, and cannot be presented as preorders of finished products. Projects must show details (photos, videos, sketches) of their progress so far, along with a prototype demonstrating the product's current functionality. Projects must explain how the final design is likely to differ from the prototype, and include a production plan (i.e., how you're going to make it) and an estimated timeline.
No product simulations or photorealistic renderings
Technical drawings, CAD designs, sketches, and other parts of the design process are awesome and encouraged. Photorealistic renderings and simulations that could be mistaken for finished products or real events, however, are not allowed.
Single servings
Product Design and Hardware projects can only offer one reward per pledge. Offering multiple quantities can imply that rewards are shrink-wrapped and ready to ship when they’re not. With some projects, we'll make exceptions for what we consider sensible sets — things like salt and pepper shakers, notebooks, building blocks, etc.
About these guidelines
Kickstarter’s mission is to help bring creative projects to life. Since launching in April 2009, we’ve adjusted these guidelines several times — to add more of them to fit new uses, or to simplify them as we learn (and after seeing 100,000+ projects, we’ve learned a ton). The guidelines are never perfect, but we care deeply about trying to get them right. We aim to be as open as possible while protecting the health and creative spirit of Kickstarter for the long term. Thanks for reading.
View the Community Guidelines for our policy on online etiquette for project creators and backers.
If you have questions before you get started, contact us.
Project image
Choose an image from your computer JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP • 50MB file limit At least 640x480 pixels • 4:3 aspect ratio
Project title
60/60
Your project title should be simple, specific, and memorable, and it should include the title of the creative project you're raising funds for. Avoid words like "help,” "support,” or "fund.”
Category
Short blurb
135/135
If you had to describe your project in one tweet, how would you do it?
Project location
Funding duration
Number of days1−60 days, we recommend 30 or less
End on date & time
We recommend that projects last 30 days or less. Shorter durations have higher success rates, and will create a helpful sense of urgency around your project. For more on duration, see Kickstarter School.
Note: After your project ends, there is a 14-day window for collecting and processing pledges. After that, you can transfer funds from your Amazon account to your bank account. Please plan accordingly.
Funding goal
Your funding goal should be the minimum amount needed to complete the project and fulfill all rewards. Because funding is all-or-nothing, you can always raise more than your goal but never less.
If your project is successfully funded, Kickstarter will apply a 5% fee to the funds raised, and Amazon will apply credit card processing fees (between 3-5%). If funding isn't successful, there are no fees.
Reward #1
Delete
Pledge amount
Description
Estimated delivery
Shipping details
0 backers
Limit quantity
Add another backer reward
Project video
Choose a video from your computer MOV, MPEG, AVI, MP4, 3GP, WMV, or FLV • 5GB file limit
The most important thing about project videos? Making one. Projects with a video have a much higher chance of success. It doesn't need to be an Oscar contender, just be yourself and explain what you want to do. For helpful tips and a dose of inspiration, check out our post on making an awesome project video.
Project description
Use your project description to share more about what you’re raising funds to do and how you plan to pull it off. It’s up to you to make the case for your project.
B
i
H1
Risks and challenges
What are the risks and challenges that come with completing your project, and how are you qualified to overcome them?
When it comes to fulfillment, every project has potential obstacles, from production delays to permits to collaborator mishaps. What unique challenges might you face after your project is successfully funded? And if setbacks do arise (we hope they don’t, but it happens!), how will you tackle them?
Addressing this from the start helps build a supportive community. Backers will understand your project is a work in progress and feel confident that you’ll work hard to follow through, even when faced with challenges.
Project FAQs
You'll be able to add FAQs on your project page once your project goes live.
Profile photo
Choose an image from your computer JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP • 50MB file limit
Name
Once you launch a project, your name on Kickstarter cannot be changed.
Facebook Connect
Build trust with potential backers by showing there's a real person behind the project. Your name and number of friends will be displayed.
Log in with Facebook
Biography
Your location
Durham, NC
Websites
Add
Include links that will help backers get a sense of who you are and your qualifications to execute your project. Your blog or personal website, your Twitter account, and examples of your work are perfect!
Before you submit
Make sure you have:
Clearly explained what you're raising funds to do.
Added a video! It's the best way to connect with your backers.
Created a series of well-priced, fun rewards. Not just thank-yous!
Previewed your project and gotten feedback from a friend.
Checked out other projects on Kickstarter and backed one to get a feel for the experience.
After you submit
Once you've done everything listed above and submitted your project for review:
Your project will be reviewed to ensure it meets the Project Guidelines.
Within a few days, we'll send you a message about the status of your project.
If approved, you can launch whenever you're ready.
"May the mercy of His Divine Shadow fall upon you." - Stanley H. Tweedle, Security Guard class IV, The League of 20,000 planets