Start-Ups

Suspended Kickstarter campaigns: 10 big fund-raisers that got yanked

By // July 8, 2014, 4:30 AM PST // ErinCarson

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  • Elementary, My Dear Holmes

    This video game was going to flip the dynamics between Sherlock Holmes and sidekick John Watson. When concerns were raised about seemingly spurious accounts backing the project, it was suspended. At that point it had raised $58,770.

  • Social Video Electric Eyewear

    This project promised the ability to record and share video through a pair of glasses. After suspension, they also moved to Indiegogo and raised $150,113.

  • iFind

    iFind claimed to be creating a item locating device that runs without battery and harvests electromagnetic energy. They raised $546,852 before being suspended shortly before the campaign closed.

  • FreedomPop

    In 2012, FreedomPop went to Kickstarter with a sleeve that turned an iPod into a 4G device. The campaign was suspended after raising $105,412, but the company has continued on creating various devices and plans surrounding mobile broadband.

  • Kobe Red Beef Jerky

    Backers laid down $120,000 before the campaign, promising made from Japanese Kobe beef, was suspended. Commenters raised concerns over scant details, and a documentary crew working on a project on Kickstarters, experienced dodgy behavior when they asked for an interview.

  • LUCI Advanced Lucid Dream Controller

    LUCI claimed its headset would allow users to take control of their dreams by inducing lucid dreaming. The project, which was drawing questions, racked up about $341,298.49 (U.S) before the creators canceled it saying they'd found funding elsewhere.

  • Bitcoin: The Movie

    This documentary was supposed to cover the "socio-economic impact" of Bitcoin. After two weeks, Kickstarter suspended the campaign after it raised $15,896.

  • Panda: Bamboo watches

    Panda created a successful campaign for bamboo sunglasses, but people noticed that Panda's bamboo watches were similar to some other bamboo watches. Funding was suspended after reaching $70,555.

  • ParaShoot 2.0 - Multi Use, Wearable Smart HD Camera

    ParaShoot promised a small, palm-sized camera. It raised $117,358, but got suspended before closing the deal. After the suspension, the founders moved the project over to Indiegogo where it got full funded.

  • Rock Smartwatch

    Backers grew concerned over the similarities between the Rock Smartwatch and another Android watch made in China. The project raised $39,983 and then was suspended.

Elementary, My Dear Holmes

This video game was going to flip the dynamics between Sherlock Holmes and sidekick John Watson. When concerns were raised about seemingly spurious accounts backing the project, it was suspended. At that point it had raised $58,770.

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By Erin Carson

Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.