The 25 Most Funded Kickstarter Projects

Kickstarter has become a fantastic modern way for people to get their projects off the ground. However, while some Kickstarter projects flourish, others receive no success. Looking at the top Kickstarter projects on the platform can help you get some insight into why some projects succeed and others flop.

So, what are the patterns that make certain projects succeed so well? We will look at the 25 top-funded Kickstarter projects on the platform to help answer that question. These projects have successfully Dominated the platform and reached their goals.

When we look at these projects, you’ll notice that multiple factors determine how successful a Kickstarter project becomes. So, to start a successful Kickstarter project, you need to look at the top ones in the game and take notes on how they accomplished their goals and received so much funding.

1. Surprise! Four Secret Novels by Brandon Sanderson

Project Overview
Creator: Dragonsteel Entertainment
Backers: 185,341
Goal: $1,000,000
Amount Raised: $41,754,153

Brandon Sanderson has become a notable figure on the Kickstarter platform because of his vast imagination. He creates science fiction and fantasy books in his universe called Cosmere. These books have gained a massive following, and this project aims to deliver more of this content throughout the year 2023.

Dragonsteel Entertainment delivers its rewards quarterly or monthly, depending on the reward bracket. People who pledge $40 or more will big guaranteed quarterly E-books. Higher pledge offers include swag boxes as well as physical book copies.

2. Pebble Time - Awesome Smartwatch, No Compromises

Project Overview
Creator: Pebble Technology
Backers: 78,471 backers
Amount Raised: $20,338,986

The Pebble time smartwatch offers an E-paper display and seven days of battery life. Even though this campaign is over, we can still learn a lot about it because it remains one of the highest-earning campaigns on Kickstarter. Due to the success of this campaign, Pebble Technologies has gone on to make several more smartwatches.

This Kickstarter campaign took place in the year 2015 and, at the time, sought to create the world’s first real smartwatch. Due to their thorough business plan and the many people who wanted the product, they were highly successful.

3. COOLEST COOLER: 21st Century Cooler that's Actually Cooler

Project Overview
Creator: Ryan Grepper
Backers: 62,642
Goal: $50,000
Amount Raised: $13,285,226

The Coolest Cooler was a Kickstarter project in 2014 that offered built-in ice crushing, a USB charger, and a waterproof Bluetooth system. Many envisioned themselves hitting the beach or camping with this cooler and having fun with their friends or family. This project was so successful that people still recognize the name, and it’s still one of the most funded projects on the platform almost ten years later.

Unfortunately, despite the funding, this project failed because the creator incorrectly estimated the production costs and failed to deliver the product. This project became a lesson to backers and project creators about properly gauging product costs before funding or creating a product.

4. Frosthaven

Project Overview
Creator: Isaac Childres
Backers: 83,193
Goal: $500,000
Amount Raised: $12,969,608

Frosthaven was a board game Kickstarter that reached massive popularity and became a great success. This project started in 2020, which was excellent timing because so many people were staying at home and looking for more activities to stay entertained. This board game is a thorough game that offers players to choose from several characters and races.

Families and friends can gather in groups of four or less and enjoy this dungeon campaign-based crawl game together. Board games typically do well on Kickstarter because of their low production costs and the popularity of this hobby.

5. Pebble 2, Time 2 + All-New Pebble Core

Project Overview
Creator: Pebble Technology
Backers: 66,673
Goal: $1,000,000
Amount Raised: $12,779,843

The first watch Pebble released rose to such infamy that Pebble technology had no problem gaining backers for the Pebble 2. Kickstarter had already made them an established company, and they’ve already shown the world the first project they can deliver. Although this product didn’t receive as much funding as the original Pebble smartwatch, this is still a massive project that easily landed itself in the top 25 projects in Kickstarter’s history.

The final delivery date for the Pebble 2 was in January 2017. However, you can still order the Pebble 2 off of Kickstarter, although the campaign is over. Pebble technology has a great reputation after both Kickstarter projects because they successfully followed through on delivery and provided a product that people wanted. To this day, Pebble Technology still releases newer smartwatches to stay in competition with the other smartwatches out there.

6. Kingdom Death: Monster 1.5

Project Overview
Creator: Kingdom Death
Backers: 19,264
Goal: $100,000
Amount Raised: $12,393,139

As we mentioned another board game in this top 25 list, Kingdom Death: Monster 1.5 is an extremely successful board game on the Kickstarter platform. This game is a horror game that is repayable so that players can enjoy it multiple times. Board games can get expensive, so replayability is crucial if you want backers to support your board game.

This campaign began in 2020, and the base level includes the board game without any expansions. Higher paying backers will receive expansions depending on how much they pledge.

7. EcoFlow DELTA Pro: The Portable Home Battery

Project Overview
Creator: EcoFlow
Backers: 3,199 backers
Goal: $100,000
Amount Raised: $12,179,651

The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is the world’s first portable home battery. Backers immediately took an interest in this project because of its energy-saving technology that can help them save money on their energy bills. Also, the fact that this product is portable and solar charging makes it an excellent choice for homeowners across the world.

This home battery can charge anywhere from a wall outlet to wind charging. The adaptability of this home battery made it accessible and appealing to so many people. This project has become so successful that you can even buy it on Amazon.

8. Travel Tripod by Peak Design

Project Overview
Creator: Peak Design
Backers: 27,168
Goal: $500,000
Amount Raised: $12,143,435

Now more than ever, people who make videos need tripods that are as compact and portable as possible. Peak Design recognized this desire by many video producers and decided to start their project. After this Kickstarter succeeded, this tripod went on to win several awards for its innovative design.

This Kickstarter project was funded in 2019, and it only took 58 days to reach over 12 million dollars. This product is among the highest funded on the platform and is available on Amazon.

9. Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Special

Project Overview
Creator: Critical Role
Backers: 88,887 backers
Goal: $750,000
Amount Raised: $11,385,449

Dungeons and Dragons is a game that people have been enthusiastic about for decades. This game allows people to play out many fantasy scenarios and live an alternative life. Critical Role is a series where professional voice actors made an animated show based on Dungeons and Dragons.

This Kickstarter project ended in 2020, and the show is available on Amazon Prime now. However, many fans and backers are upset with the decision to host this show on Amazon Prime.

10. Pebble: E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android

Project Overview
Creator: Pebble Technology
Backers: 68,929
Goal: $1,000,000
Amount Raised: $10,266,845

Pebble technology rose to such fame with their first smartwatch that this is the third project by them that landed on this list. The key difference between this watch and the previous watch is its innovative design. This watch was released in 2012, and a customizable smart lodge was still a new idea.

11. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game

Project Overview
Creator: Magpie Games
Backers: 81,567
Goal: $50,000
Amount Raised: $9,535,317

Avatar the Last Airbender was a popular show in the early 2000s and still has a massive following. So when Magpie Games started this Kickstarter project, they felt it would reach their goal, but they had no idea how far They would surpass their goal.

However, while reading this article, this may not shock you because board games seem to do very well on the Kickstarter platform. So, when you pair a recognizable show with an already successful business plan, it’s a no-brainer that the project became successful. That also matches the fact that Magpie Games is a reputable game manufacturer, so backers didn’t fear this project failing to deliver.

12. TRAVEL JACKETS with 15 Features by BAUBAX

Project Overview
Creator: BAUBAX
Backers: 44,949
Goal: $20,000
Amount Raised: $9,192,055

Product versatility is a massive winner among backers, and BAUBAX knew how to capitalize on this. This jacket can do anything from holding your drinks to helping you nap on an airplane. Many often find themselves in situations where they think, “I should have brought a pen with me” or “wow, my hands are cold,” and this jacket can solve both those problems.

Many news organizations featured this jacket on their platforms after the success of this Kickstarter project, and several backers are happy with the final product.

13. Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

Project Overview
Creator: CMON
Backers: 28,974
Goal: $500,000
Amount Raised: $9,032,583

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game is another campaign-based board game that received great success on Kickstarter. Between the fact that board games already do well on Kickstarter and that Marvel is such a recognizable brand, this project was already bound to succeed. People love games that they can immerse themselves in, and when you add recognizable characters, it can be even more fun for them.

This project received over $9 million in only 16 days on Kickstarter. However, after the game was released, many people had mixed opinions on how much they liked this game. Kickstarter is still the main platform where people purchase this game.

14. AnkerMake M5 3D Printer - 5X Faster Printing and AI Camera

Project Overview
Creator: AnkerMake
Backers: 11,313
Goal: $50,000
Amount Raised: $9,032,583

3D printers are a very popular newer device on the market. However, most 3D printers have a massive downside: it takes hours to make a single item. Currently, several corporations seek to make their 3D printers create quicker, which is why this printer easily met its funding goal.

After the success of this Kickstarter campaign, several different technology websites and blogs featured the AnchorMake M5 3D printer and reviewed it. This Kickstarter project helps pioneer the way for companies to make their 3D printers faster.

15. The Wyrmwood Modular Gaming Table: Coffee & Dining Models

Project Overview
Creator: Wyrmwood Gaming
Backers: 7,713
Goal: $1,000,000
Amount Raised: $8,808,136

With the popularity of board games on the Kickstarter platform, it is no surprise that this table easily met and surpassed its Kickstarter goal. You can use this table as a standard four-person coffee table in your living room or convert it to seat up to 10 people. You can also use this table to store items, charge your phone, hold your drinks, or have an easy place to store your dice safely during your game session.

So far, the people that have received this table have loved it. However, one of the most common complaints about this table is shipping costs worldwide.

16. Exploding Kittens

Project Overview
Creator: Exploding Kittens
Backers: 219,382
Goal: $10,000
Amount Raised: $8,782,571

Exploding Kittens is another example of a game that became extremely successful on Kickstarter. After the Kickstarter project is over, you can find exploding kittens and almost any retail store with games. Exploding Kittens is a household name, which alone tells you how successful this project is.

Exploding Kittens has several expansion packs, and backers are very satisfied with their product.

17. OUYA: A New Kind of Video Game Console

Project Overview
Creator: OUYA
Backers: 63,416
Goal: $950,000
Amount Raised: $8,596,474

Sometimes reaching a funding goal isn’t the only thing that can make a project thrive. If project creators don’t set realistic ideas for themselves, then projects are doomed to fail, no matter how much money funds them. Unfortunately, the OUYA game console is an example of a Kickstarter failure and one of the most highly funded Kickstarters on the platform.

People attribute the failure of this project to the creator’s insincerity about the quality of the council, and the several delays creators had while making it.

18. The Witcher: Old World

Project Overview
Creator: Go On Board
Backers: 45,162
Goal: €250,000
Amount Raised: €6,840,648

The Witcher series was a book, game, and TV show series that was very popular. So, it’s no surprise that this board game met its funding goal. People love to immerse themselves in fantasy scenarios, especially if recognizable characters are involved, and this board game provides that for fans.

This game was released only a few months ago, and so far, fans are loving it. This game will allow between two to five players, which is standard for most board games.

19. Snapmaker 2.0: Modular 3-in-1 3D Printers

Project Overview
Creator: Snapmaker
Backers: 7,388
Goal: $100,000
Amount Raised: $7,850,866

3D printers are a huge market for enthusiasts. So, despite the fact that you might not own a 3D printer or know anyone that does, the people who own them are passionate about them. That fact is why it only took 7388 backers to raise over $7 million for this 3D printer.

Another reason this project was so successful is because of its great marketing campaign. This company already made a successful 3D printer product on Kickstarter, so backers knew they could trust this company to deliver an excellent final product.

20. THE 7th CONTINENT – What Goes Up, Must Come Down.

Project Overview
Creator: Serious Poulp
Backers: 43,733
Goal: $40,000
Amount Raised: $7,072,757

One massive thing that helped this board game become a Kickstarter success is the fact that Serious Pulp put money into other board game Kickstarters. by doing this, this creator showed that they care about the product that they make. After this campaign’s success, many board game enthusiasts purchased this game and enjoyed the product.

Unlike some games, Kickstarter is still the primary website where you can buy The 7th Continent. Unfortunately, this game has not yet expanded to Amazon or board game stores.

21. Bambu Lab X1: CoreXY Color 3D Printer with Lidar and AI

Project Overview
Creator: Bambu Lab
Backers: 5,575
Goal: HK $100,000
Amount Raised: HK$ 54,970,803

The Bambu Lab X1: CoreXY Color 3D Printer with Lidar and AI is an extremely recent Kickstarter product that is still active. This 3D printer appeals to enthusiasts because it is quiet enough that they can sleep while printing models. The noise of 3D printers makes a common complaint among 3D printer enthusiasts, along with how long it takes for a print session.

This project is still in its infancy, and many people are excited to see the outcome of it.

22. The Way of Kings 10th Anniversary Leatherbound Edition

Project Overview
Creator: Dragonsteel Entertainment
Backers: 29,778
Goal: $250,000
Amount Raised: $6,788,517

The Way of King’s 10th anniversary is a leather-bound book by Brandon Sanderson. Brandon Sanderson is also the writer of the top number one spot for successful Kickstarter projects on this list. This Kickstarter success is attributed to the writer’s creativity and dedication to the project.

23. The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls Requiem

Project Overview
Creator: Edmund McMillen
Backers: 47,854
Goal: $100,000
Amount Raised: $6,720,471

The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls Requiem is an active Kickstarter project that reached its goal within an hour and a half of its inception. Does board game is based on the Binding of Isaac video game which was made within a week by independent developers. The video game had a massive following that transferred straight over into the board games following.

After they released The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls Requiem, game enthusiasts flocked to buy it and were very satisfied with the final product.

24. The Everyday Backpack, Tote, and Sling

Project Overview
Creator: Peak Design
Backers: 26,359
Goal: $500,000
Amount Raised: $6,565,782

The same people who made the innovative tripod towards the beginning of this list also created a Kickstarter project for this backpack that reached great success. This backpack is extremely comfortable and practical, which is why so many people were entranced with this Kickstarter project.

Now that the project is finished, you can buy this backpack on Amazon or Kickstarter.

25. Let's Make More MST3K & Build the Gizmoplex!

Project Overview
Creator: Joel Hodgson
Backers: 36,581
Goal: $2,000,000
Amount Raised: $6,519,019

The creators made this Kickstarter after Netflix refused to cooperate with making the third season of Mystery Science Theater 3000. this series has a passionate following of people that really enjoy it and quickly funded the goal.

This Kickstarter project is one of the highest funded projects on the platform despite Netflix refusing to assist in the third season.

Conclusion

What we can gather from this list is, people love gadgets, and they love board games. However, there are a few outliers on this list that don’t fall in either of those categories. To create a successful Kickstarter project, you need to be passionate about the project you make, and you need to make people passionate about your creation too.

Keep yourself in touch with what people want and what you like to do, and you have a great recipe for a successful Kickstarter project. Also, learn from the failures on this list and ensure that when you promise people a product, you can deliver it. Otherwise, despite significant funding, you could end up like the Coolest Cooler or OUYA and create an unsuccessful product.