Entrepreneur

How The Top 100 Crowdfunded Companies Raised Major Money

An inside look at how these entrepreneurs got the crowd to fund their businesses to the tune of some big bucks.
All aglow: Lumio's Max Gunawan.
All aglow: Lumio's Max Gunawan.
Photo by Eva Kolenko

Max Gunawan raised nearly $580,000 for his startup in 31 days. He's just one of the entrepreneurs whose business has earned a spot on our exclusive list of the Top 100 Crowdfunded Companies--those that raised money from individuals, not from institutions such as banks or venture capital firms.

Gunawan's business, Lumio (No. 59 on our list), sells a lamp that unfolds like a book, a design marvel that serves as a portable light. Gunawan turned to Kickstarter in February to launch a campaign with a $60,000 funding target. He offered a first-batch version of his product, which retails for $160, to anyone who pledged $95 or more

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