SELFLY Raises Over $1million on Kickstarter

Another day, one other drone startup smashes its fundraising targets on a crowdfunding platform. Having stated that, it does look as if SELFLY has carried out so in additional spectacular trend than a lot of its friends.

For starters, the SELFLY drone has, attributable to its originality and a powerful advertising marketing campaign, handed its fundraising goal of $125,000 in simply 5 days and has now sailed previous the $1 million mark on Kickstarter. How unique can this actually be, you is perhaps pondering. Well, decide for your self: This autonomous flying digicam is anticipated to double as a telephone case. So it’s not a lot a drone as an adjunct to your smartphone. The firm has discovered a method to assist customers take the photographs they need with out carrying round a type of embarrassing selfie sticks.

“Think of SELFLY as your own personal photographer which can take the greatest overview shots,” says SELFLY’s CEO Hagay Klein. “SELFLY can capture the most amazing moments from different aspects and fits right in your pocket – perfect for anyone who hates schlepping selfie sticks and drones.”

For a extra in-depth have a look at the SELFLY, you possibly can take a look at our function on it right here, from again earlier than it went massive. It’s secure to say that DroneLife editor Frank Schroth had some reservations on the time, saying what many individuals within the trade will probably be pondering on the sight of one more vastly profitable crowdfunded drone. 

Crowdfunding now goes past the marketing campaign?

Since smashing its goal on Kickstarter, SELFLY has moved throughout to Indiegogo InDemand – a separate platform designed for profitable crowdfunding campaigns the place initiatives can take on much more orders and lift additional capital.

As a lot as we like to see innovation within the drone area and thrilling new merchandise, we will’t assist however really feel some scepticism right here. It’s solely been a matter of months since Lily – one other pre-order venture that was brilliantly marketed – ended up closing down after greater than $30 million in funding. Another crowdfunded startup, Rook, has additionally just lately refunded backers after failing to satisfy expectations.

These extremely public failures, together with issues had by even the largest producers, present that taking a drone to market is way from simple. Is it actually essential for a small crew that’s 840% of its goal to go on looking for much more cash? Scaling up manufacturing to that diploma is difficult sufficient with a product that’s completed and absolutely examined.

We want all the most effective for SELFLY and may’t wait to see what the crew comes up with. And we’ll be the primary ones to evaluate this new drone when it hits the market in June 2017.

Read extra: When Crowdfunding Fails: What Can the Drone Industry Learn?