As our Three Good Women initiative showed (and our 1,000 Stories campaign research also indicates), women business owners care about far more than bottom lines when they weigh the success of their ventures. These female crowdfunders further prove that point with the clear social purposes they are pursuing, from supporting girls interested in the STEM to designing modest activewear to ecological sustainability.
Check out these 5 women-led crowdfunding campaigns:
1. Sleek, Modern Activewear for Modest Women (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Arshiya Kherani is the founder, CEO and co-creator of Sukoon, a New York-based fitness fashion line that caters specifically to women who wish to dress modestly. As an avid jogger who wears a hijab, Kherani became all too familiar with the lack of options for women like her in the marketplace. To solve the problem herself, she designed clothing that offers comfort and breathability, as well as coverage, to its wearers.
The Money: Kherani’s campaign has already met and exceeded its $10,000 goal. However, she has until June 30 to raise as much money as possible. With the funds generated, she will begin production on Sukoon’s signature line.
2. Engineering Kits for Empowering Young Innovators (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Gaby Rochino, Megan DeGeorge and Lexi Basantis are engineers-turned-entrepreneurs who want to bring a new generation of girls into the STEM fold. To do this, they have launched a business, Think Like a Girl in Camden, N.J., which sells engineering kits full of hands-on activities, story booklets, crafts and more that give girls fun ways to explore their scientific interests. The trio’s efforts have already garnered praise from the likes of InnovateHER.
The Money: By or before July 6, the Think Like a Girl team hopes to raise at least $40,000, which they will put toward getting kits made and distributed.
3. Chronicling Female Street Artists (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Documentary filmmaker Alexandra Henry has been following several prominent female graffiti artists in North and South America for more than three years. In addition to celebrating their work in her film, “Street Heroines,” she also examines the gender politics within the street art movement. “While each of their personal stories is unique, their observations clearly reveal the struggle for creative space, and a lack of recognition faced by women working within this male-dominated subculture,” she says.
The Money: Henry aims to finish production, edit a rough cut of the film, and move to post-production with help from her crowdfunding effort. She’s set a goal of $53,000, which she must meet within the next 22 days.
4. A Family-Run Eco-Lodge (via Indiegogo)
The Business: Kaori Kitagawa and her husband, Byron, have spent the past year and a half renovating a Japanese farmhouse with the intent of turning it into a farm-to-table eco-lodge. “We had the idea to renovate an old farmhouse nearby, so we can create a place for people to stay, enjoy, eat and experience what we love about this place,” the campaign says. However, unanticipated structural issues in the house have resulted in both time delays and budgetary issues.
The Money: A total of 23 days remains on Kitagawa’s campaign. She and her family hope to raise at least $10,000, though they will receive some funding whether that goal is met or not, thanks to Indiegogo’s Flexible Funding option. All money generated will be used to cover ongoing construction costs.
5. Reusable Glass Containers for Clean, Healthy Lunching (via Kickstarter)
The Business: In a bid to infuse health consciousness and sustainability into customers’ daily lunches, Parisian-turned-New-Yorker Chloe Vichot has created Ancolie. Her business provides balanced, wholesome meals served in reusable jars. In addition, she recently signed a lease to open an epicurean restaurant in Manhattan that will use only local ingredients in its offerings — and will also serve meals in jars.
The Money: Vichot’s campaign has also met and exceeded its goal, and by more than double the initial $20,000 she hoped to raise. She will put all funds toward production of the jars and development of the restaurant.
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Want to be featured in The Story Exchange’s Crowdfunding column? Drop us a line and tell us about your campaign at [email protected].
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