“Can I generate revenue and build a fan base with my first funding round?”
Of the 2,628 projects that launched their first crowdfunding campaign Wadiz, 75% were successful
Successful projects achieve an average of 3,022% of their funding goals.
First Funding Success Rate: 74.54%
Highest amount raised: 1.1 billion won
Average amount raised: 14 .9 million won
*Based on data from successful projects that achieved their funding goals in their first funding round among projects conducted between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026
When launching your first crowdfunding campaign with no brand recognition and a limited marketing budget, it’s only natural to feel anxious and wonder, “Will this succeed?”
But if you look at the data, you’ll see that being a first-timer isn’t necessarily a disadvantage.
How was this possible? From here on, I’ll share the three key factors for a successful first funding round.
Table of Contents
01. Create products that solve customers' problems
02. You need storytelling that turns interest into purchases
03. Pre-launch subscribers determine your initial success
04. WadizSupport — We’re with you until you succeed
05. FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
01. We create products that solve our customers' problems
The common thread among successful crowdfunding projects is that they prioritized solving customers’ pain points over product specifications.
Ocula Maker’s Titanium Cell 4.0raised raised approximately 1.1 billion wonand and received 2,274 requests.
1) We designed a product you can use every day
Water droplet ultrasound devices are a highly competitive category Wadiz. Backers have already tried a wide variety of beauty devices, and as the amount of information grows, it actually becomes harder for them to decide which product is right for them.
Ocula directly addressed the common pitfall of high-end devices: “It works, but I just don’t use it.” Every design element—from the snug fit of the titanium head and the lightweight build that reduces arm fatigue to the charging cradle, pause button, and silent mode—was tailored with “daily use” in mind. One supporter described it this way: “My old one felt like my arm was going to fall off, but this is a device I find myself using every day.”
It was this design, centered on the concept of “writing every day,” that resonated with our backers, leading to afunding achievement rate of 221,490% and a total funding amount of approximately 1.1 billion won.
Project Name: Ocula Titanium Cell 4.0
Total Funding Amount: 1 ,107,450,000 KRW
Funding Goal Achieved: 221 ,490%
Backers: 2 ,542
2) Communication builds trust, and trust leads to repeat business.
Another key factor in building trust in a brand during its first crowdfunding campaign is the maker’s communication. The average number of updates posted for a first-time Wadiz crowdfunding projectis 7.2. Ocu, however, posted 14updates, directly answering supporters’ questions and addressing their concerns in their stories.
Average number of posts per creator: 7.2
Average number of comments per supporter: 26.13
*Based on data from successful projects that achieved their funding goals in their first funding round among projects conducted between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026
Through our news updates, OQ has been actively engaging with our supporters by directly answering their questions and compiling common inquiries to address them in future news updates and stories.
When supporters see a maker who communicates actively, they feel reassured that any issues that arise will be resolved smoothly. This trust ensures that their support doesn’t end with a one-time purchase but leads to follow-up funding campaigns and purchases on the maker’s own online store. While the average number of requests to reopen a successful crowdfunding project is 26.34, OQura recorded 2,274. The fact that supporters reached out first even after the campaign ended means that trust continued well beyond the point of purchase.
Average number of reopening applications: 26 .34
Maximum number of reopening applications: 2 ,274
*Based on data from successful projects that achieved their funding goals in their first funding round among projects conducted between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026
02. We need storytelling that turns interest into purchases
Designing a process that leads to a purchase is trickier than you might think. Even if you’ve successfully guided users to sign up for notifications, getting them to actually click the “Pay” button on launch day is a whole different challenge. This is especially true for a first-time campaign. After all, you have to convince potential customers to open their wallets without any reviews, success stories, or established trust in your brand.
That’s why the design of the checkout flow is so important. Just as much as the quality of the product or class itself, success often hingeson how clearly you can answer the question, “Why should I make a purchase right now?”To find the best example of this, we examined the factors behind the success of the Miggotche class.
Average number of payers: 105
Maximum number of payers: 3 ,044
*Based on data from successful projects that achieved their funding goals in their first funding round among projects conducted between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026
The average number of backersfor a first-time crowdfunding project is about 105. However, Migot Typeface attracted 3,044 backersin its first campaign— about 29 times the average. Although many projects launched during the same period, this one stood out by attracting the most people to click the "Back" button. What made it different?
The secret wasn’t “I’ll help you write beautifully,” but rather “Just 10 minutes a day is enough.” The Miggotche class wasn’t just about beautiful handwriting; it suggested setting aside 10 minutes every day to take care of yourself. Comments from supporters repeatedly mentioned, “I bought a notebook last year but stopped just three pages in,” and the creator zeroed in on exactly this point. For people who had “started but failed to keep it up,” the course and notebook design—which allowed small achievements to accumulate daily—became the motivation to buy.
Rather than simply selling a goal, our storytelling encouraged people to imagine who they would become after the transformation, which turned interest into actual purchases. As a result ,we achieved a 149,637% fundingrate and raised approximately 740 million won.
Project Name: Miggot Typeface Class
Total Funding Amount: 748,189,000 KRW
Funding Goal Achieved: 149,637%
Backers: 3,044
Considering that many projects fail to convert notifications into actual payments despite having a large number of subscribers, what ultimately matters is how clearly you’ve articulated the answer to the question, “Why should I pay right now?” If this is your first crowdfunding campaign, focus first on helping supporters envision “the future version of themselves” rather than just the product’s features.
03. Subscribers to the pre-launch notifications determine the initial success
Generating interest even before the campaign launches is the key to success. The more people who sign up for notifications, the more initial payments will come in right after the campaign goes live, which in turn drives visibility. This step is especially crucial for a first-time campaign. Since you’re starting with no brand recognition or purchase history, the volume of payments received immediately after launch determines your exposure and has a major impact on the campaign’s overall success.
However, since this is our first funding round, there are some challenges. We need to encourage potential customers to sign up for notifications even though we don’t have any reviews or followers yet. Having to attract attention without first building trust is one of the toughest challenges for first-time entrepreneurs. So, we looked into the success factors of ZUS Highview as a case study of a company that successfully navigated this process.
According to Wadiz, the average number of notification subscribersfor a project that succeeds in its first funding round is about 900. However, the projector brand ZUSreceived 14,373 notification subscribersduring its first funding round. That’s about 16 times the average.
Average number of notifications subscribed to: 900
Maximum numberof notifications subscribed to: 14 ,373
*Based on data from successful projects that achieved their funding goals in their first funding round among projects conducted between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026
The key was putting people before products. JUS created a third category—the “high-end mini projector”—in the saturated mini projector market. It precisely filled the gap between products that were small and lightweight but lacked performance, and those that offered great performance but were bulky.
The key point here isthat we prioritized addressing existing users’ complaints over simply boosting specs. We gathered feedback frequently mentioned in the community—such as “it gets too hot,” “projection onto the ceiling doesn’t work,” and “wireless connectivity is inconvenient”—and directly incorporated each of these concerns into the product design. Rather than a simple spec upgrade, we made it feel like an upgrade that transforms existing users’ daily routines.
Project Name: Jus Beam Projector
Total Funding Amount: 1 ,107,450,000 KRW
Funding Goal Achieved: 221 ,490%
Backers: 2 ,542
It’s okay if you don’t have a fan base yet. What matters isn’t the number of fans, but how accurately you’ve identified the “language of the people who need this product.” If this is your first crowdfunding campaign, start by making a list of your potential customers’ pain points and desires before you even begin describing your product.
04. Support Wadiz— We’re with you every step of the way until you succeed
Not everyone can achieve this kind of success on their very first try. But Wadiz, we’ll cheer you on every step of the way until your first attempt becomes a success.
Just because it’s your first campaign doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. From launch to completion, Wadizstands by your side as your partner, offering a wide range of support and benefits.
1. First Funding Promotion Fee Benefits
- Wadizcharges a 12% service fee. We are currently running a "First Successful Funding" promotion for makers who have not yet successfully raised funds. During the promotion period, makers with no prior successful funding history are eligible for a 30% discount on the service fee. If your funding goal is 30 million won, you can save approximately 1 million won to invest in marketing or product development.
2. Free step-by-step guide available
- You can find the Maker Guide, created by Wadiz official partners and funding experts, in the Maker Center. It includes everything you need to navigate the entire funding process, from creating your project page to staying updated on the latest news and signing up for notifications. If you’re new to this and feeling overwhelmed, follow the step-by-step guide—packed with insights from successful projects—to get started.
3. Matching with an agency for product detail pages and provision of design templates and three types of ad creatives
- Don’t worry if you find the guide confusing or aren’t sure where to start with creating your product page.Through our partner services—which offer the lowest prices—carefully selected experts with extensive experience Wadiz will create a page that highlights your product’s key selling points. ** (Starting at 1 million KRW / VAT excluded)
- When usingour Partner Service for product page creation, we provide the product page design template and three types of advertising materials free of chargeto makers launching their first funding campaign. Feel free to modify and reuse these templates for future Wadiz campaigns, such as encore (pre-order) campaigns or new product launches. (Format: MangoBoard or Canva)
In addition, we offer three types of ad creatives free of charge upon request, so if you’re considering running an ad, why not try using images created by professionals?
4. WAi, a 24/7 AI assistant
- Did you find data analysis overwhelming? WAi deciphers the meaning behind the numbers and presents your funding strategy at a glance. We automatically compare your project’s ranking against the top few percent in its category and analyze performance and conversion rates by traffic source to pinpoint which channels you should prioritize. We also suggest the best approach—including who to target and how to engage them—by factoring in age, gender, country, and follower status.
- Did you find data analysis overwhelming? WAi deciphers the meaning behind the numbers and presents your funding strategy at a glance. We automatically compare your project’s ranking against the top few percent in its category and analyze performance and conversion rates by traffic source to pinpoint which channels you should prioritize. We also suggest the best approach—including who to target and how to engage them—by factoring in age, gender, country, and follower status.
05. FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I receive the fee discount for my first funding campaign?
If you’re a creator with no previous successful funding campaigns, you can create a project without submitting a separate application and then check the applicable fees under Maker Studio > Service Fees. Creating a project doesn’t mean funding opens immediately, so feel free to create one right now using the link in your profile!
Q. Are there any other benefits for Funding Open Makers?
We’re currently running a variety of promotional campaigns to support project marketing. Take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your products—including tech, home goods, food, and books—as well as new releases and products exclusive to Korea, to our 7.5 million supporters. Check it out via the link in your profile!
Q. So, what are the benefits of launching a crowdfunding campaign?
Crowdfunding isn’t just about making sales—it’s the first step toward laying the foundation for success. It allows you to validate your product’s market potential with concrete data and build an early fan base that supports your growth. A successful crowdfunding campaign provides the capital needed for production and establishes a strong track record that will help you secure a spot in various distribution channels down the line.
Q. What do I need to prepare first to launch a crowdfunding campaign?
Once you’ve created your project, browsing Maker Studio will help you get a better feel for things. If anything seems difficult or confusing, WAi—your personal funding AI assistant, available 24/7—will be there to guide you.
Q. What do I need to do to successfully secure funding?
We recommend using the "Coming Soon" feature to showcase the appeal of your product and story, and to start gathering supporters who are interested in your brand!
If you're curious about solutions for a successful crowdfunding campaign—from how to prepare for your launch to setting your funding goal, creating your project page, and producing ad creatives—ask WAi, your very own AI crowdfunding assistant!
Tip: Recommended prompts to ask WAi to help ensure a successful funding campaign
| The Secret to Success | Preparing for Funding |
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If you're hesitating because it's your first time, that means you're already ready to get started.
The data from 2,628 initial crowdfunding campaigns reveals one key insight: neither brand recognition nor a generous marketing budget is the primary factor for success. The projects that exceeded their goals were those that described their products in a way that resonated with backers, generated interest even before the campaign launched, and maintained consistent communication throughout the funding period.
Wadizis here to help you navigate the process—you don’t have to go it alone. From fee discounts to guides, partner services, and WAi, which is available 24/7, we’ll be with you every step of the way until your first funding campaign is a success.
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