Crowd Funding; Begging for the 21st century or legitimate endeavor?

Crowd funding, it is a relatively new method of amassing money to achieve a goal. or is it just begging modernized for the 21st century?

First, let's establish what crowdfunding really is, or rather what it is supposed to be;

It is the action of raising funds to pay for a project,  using social media. Investors and donors donate a certain amount of money in exchange for a predetermined good, service or even a share in a business. The person or group of people who are raising funds describe their project and how the amassed funds will be used on a presentation page to attract potential investors.

However, due to the growing amount and liberalism of crowd funding sites, the quantity of campaigns has risen dramatically while the quality and purpose of said campaigns can only bring questioning and dismay to serious investors who want to back emerging products that actually have a chance for success.

In my research which I completed in order to establish my own crowd funding campaign as a trial experiment, I came across some shocking, surprising and even repulsive crowdfunding campaigns. From women promoting porn sites and offering devious services, to students asking for college money one is bound to find all kinds of sketchy causes that are being promoted. But then again, there is always hope as I also came across people and groups raising money for valid charities, causes and business ideas.

To do a trial, I set up a crowd funding campaign of my own and see where it brings me. I will attempt to raise money for a testing lab. I will set out to raise 5000$. I will use the funds to pay for items to review and demo based on the investors demands and requirements. To bring a social awareness component to the campaign, I will donate the products to charity once they are reviewed.

To get more info on my campaign, or to make a donation, click here.

To get a deeper insight on the campaign itself, visit the Campaign Page and FAQ.