Crowdfunding platforms make it possible for individuals and organizations of any size to harness social networks and raise start-up capital for projects that might otherwise fail due to lack of funding. Each week, Xpress highlights notable Western North Carolina crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd.
FreeRide smartphone mount by GoWorx
Attention all bikers, snowboarders, surfers, hikers, skaters, climbers, pilots, skiers, divers, drivers, drone owners and other world observers. FreeRide, the latest camera accessory developed for cell phone documentarians by local company GoWorx, empowers users to preserve their greatest adventures from increasingly creative angles, making it doubly useful for photographers and filmmakers. The gadget, according to its makers, “is a versatile and fully adjustable smartphone mount that enables you to simply and securely attach your smartphone (with or without a case) to pretty much anything, anywhere. … The FreeRide smartphone mount features both of the world’s most popular camera mounting systems, which unlocks thousands of ways to mount and use your smartphone to capture your life creatively.” The product is compatible with GoPro HERO mounts and all previous mounts by GoWorx, including the Original Handle and GoKnuckles. Just latch it onto your favorite fast-moving object and hit record. The GoWorx team aims to raise $8,000 by Sunday, Sept. 27, to complete research and development, tooling, fine-tuning and shipping for the invention.
Underground Unheard’s new camera
“You might be wondering why there is no video attached to our fundraising campaign like most of the others,” reads the crowdfunding page of Underground Unheard, a hip-hop label based in WNC and founded by musical colleagues Relik and Bobby White nearly a decade ago. “We have so many great ideas just begging to come to fruition. Having a video camera will open a whole new world for us and our fans to enjoy more of the grassroots, DIY-yet-professional-quality music and art we have been releasing for years.” Several UU-associated artists — Ixnee’, Vinnie the Creep, Whokairs?, Bobby White, Quannstar, Coach K, False Tropics ManuKaru, DJ Whistleblower and Cheetah Bonita, to name more than a few — will perform a series of benefit concerts throughout the Fall and Winter at Timo’s House to raise money for new equipment. Additionally, the label aims to raise $1,000 by Friday, Sept. 25, toward a DSLR Canon camera, multiple lenses, extra batteries, SD cards and a tripod.
Send your crowdsourcing campaign news to kmcreynolds@mountainx.com. A limited number of campaigns will be highlighted each week, at Xpress’ discretion. Campaigns must be locally based and should represent a current project with an achievable goal. Conditions are subject to change. Read about more Western North Carolina projects here.
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