Can there be an easier way to raise some cash than through Kickstarter? The crowdfunding website enjoyed a breakthrough moment in 2012 when the Pebble, an early smartwatch, raised over $10m. But then a few months ago, a mere picnic cooler raised an extraordinary $13m. Admittedly, the Coolest cooler is the Swiss army knife of cool boxes. It has a built-in USB charger, cocktail blender and loudspeakers. The thundering herd of financial backers for this project made it the biggest Kickstarter campaign to date, as well as being a sure sign that end times are upon us.
要想筹点钱,还有比通过Kickstarter众筹更容易的法子吗?这家众筹网站在2012年迎来了突破性时刻——当时还处于模型机阶段的智能手表Pebble在上面筹到了逾1000万美元资金。但接下来,就在几个月前,一款看上去不起眼的野餐冷藏箱筹到了令人咋舌的1300万美元资金。诚然,这款名为最酷冷藏箱(Coolest cooler)的产品堪称冷藏箱中的“瑞士军刀”。它内置了USB充电器、鸡尾酒搅拌器和扬声器。该项目吸引了大量金主,从而成为Kickstarter有史以来最大规模的融资项目,同时这也释放出一个明确的信号,那就是一切都结束了。