Crowdfunding is not a new concept—it was actually used by the Medicis and Walt Whitman in the funding of the arts. However, crowdfunding through the Internet is a new phenomenon. This book introduces readers to the concept of funding creative projects through a group of people, explaining its benefits and how it works. The history of crowdfunding is covered to the present day. Once Kickstarter came along, the company itself had to raise funds to get started. This book highlights the efforts of Chen, Strickler, and Adler to sell their idea to investors. It reveals how Kickstarter went through growing pains but finally emerged as one of the most successful Internet companies today. Readers learn about what it takes to make a start-up a lasting enterprise. With fact sheets on the founders and the company, this book serves as an inspiration for anyone interested in one day starting his or her own Internet company.