Crowdfunding has traditionally been a bit of a gamble, with the potential for backing a project that never comes to fruition. However, Indiegogo is taking steps to change this perception with its new Shipping Guarantee Program, which aims to provide some security to backers of certain campaigns.
This new guarantee isn’t available to all projects; it’s reserved for those with a strong history of successful campaigns on Indiegogo and products that are already in the final stages of production. This program targets established companies using Indiegogo more for promotion than for raising essential funds, meaning it’s geared towards those who are already known in the crowdfunding space.
To qualify, a campaign must meet these specific criteria, which could make it challenging for smaller, independent projects to benefit. For example, the Lofree Edge, as shown in the header image, comes from a well-regarded company and is currently available for purchase outside of Indiegogo, having met its shipping promises.
Qualifying campaigns will proudly display the Shipping Guarantee badge on their Indiegogo pages, offering backers a straightforward assurance: “Ships by [date] or your money back.” This badge signals that if the product doesn’t ship on time, backers will receive a full refund.
Although the scope of this guarantee might be limited to established companies with existing trust and credibility, it adds an extra layer of protection for backers. Given the longstanding concerns over the reliability of crowdfunding, this program offers a valuable safeguard against the risk of funds disappearing without a trace.