Approximately 58 percent of millennials classify themselves as entrepreneurs, according to a survey commissioned by Millennial Branding and ODesk. If you have a great idea and the 9-5 lifestyle doesn’t give you the freedom you’d like, then consider becoming an entrepreneur. Many Kickstarter campaigns began as fanciful schemes and have turned into successful, million dollar ideas.
Rain World
Many up and coming game designers dream of the success Rain World has had. This Kickstarter campaign earned more than twice its original goal for its innovative game plot. The game involves Slugcat, a cartoon cat with incredible dexterity, trying to survive in a harsh alien world. Rain World is currently in development thanks to its $63,255 contribution and will be available for PC, Linux and Mac in digital format on Steam.
Cranium
Richard Tait, the creator of Cranium, believes passion should be a person’s number one motivator. This is especially true if you’re venturing into entrepreneurship. Richard and his coworker, Whit Alexander, left their jobs at Microsoft to create the fastest-selling independent board game in history. With a little luck, a great board game concept and business savvy, millennials can also come out on top in this niche industry.
Photo by ramsey everydaypants via Flickr
OUYA
A revolutionary game console began as a Kickstarter and is now a fully-launched product. This little device gained fame thanks to its simplistic design, back-to-basics concept and inexpensive retail price ($99). The OUYA store also offers more than 600 free games users can try before committing to buying. As the first open video game console, OUYA stole the spotlight and made it big.
Brydge
Brad Leong and Sam Gordon managed to raise more than $1 million for Brydge, a keyboard that connects to the iPad. By building a concept around an already established business like Apple, these two young entrepreneurs managed to make their dream a reality. Leong and Gordon have completed other projects along the same vein, like the Oona iPhone stand and iPhone ReadyCase.
Twine
What if it was possible for your front-door to email you when it was opened? Or your laundry to text you when it’s done? As ambitious as it sounds, two MIT Media Lab graduates, John Kestner and David Carr, created Twine and made these possibilities a reality. Twine is essentially a square sensor that informs the user of the happenings of his or her home through text messages, emails, Twitter, phone calls, HTTP Get and POST requests. From humble beginnings as a Kickstarter project to a well-received product, this idea has revolutionized how we interact with our world through technology.
Generation Now, Gen Why?, The Internet Generation — millennials are called many different things. Regardless of what this generation is called, one thing is certain — millennials are resourceful, educated and willing to take risks to accomplish their dreams.
As successful as all of these folks are, don’t be fooled – it’s not as easy as it looks. Before you go forth into the world of entrepreneurship, make sure you do the appropriate research and have the necessary tools to keep you afloat. Funding is just the beginning of getting your business off the ground. Take the time to register as a business to protect yourself and set the ball rolling in the right direction from the beginning. Make sure you’re keeping completely separate finances from your personal ones and balancing all your expenses through tools like online accounting software and carefully evaluating the necessary financial changes that will keep you moving forward.
Build your network, do your research, and you too could be the next Pebble.
Article provided by: Dennis Freidland Apple obsessed, tech writer, entrepreneur
photo credit: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid
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