Fund Me, KC: Edcoda engages students with 3D adventure learning game

Editor’s note: Fund Me, KC is a series highlighting area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses via crowdfunding campaigns. If you or your startup is running a campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com 

Who are you?
Clarence Tan, founder and CEO of Edcoda. 

Clarence Tan

What’s your product?
Edcoda is an educational technology startup with the goal to help kids realize their potential. We’ve developed an online 3D adventure game that uses adaptive technology to help kids learn better by making the learning experience fun and personalized.

How much do you hope to raise?

We’re hoping to raise at least $35,000 to commercialize our demo version.

What do you plan to use the funds for?

We’ll be using the funds to finish up development, getting questions and lessons into our courses, as well as porting the game to mobile platforms such as iOS and Android.

How are you differentiating your campaign?

We’ve planned our campaign with the goal of not spending too much on marketing. To do that, we’ve tried our best to be creative and to just go for it. Most of our action steps involve direct messaging relevant Facebook pages and groups, working with schools and administrators, and really getting them to understand and buy into the mission of what we’re trying to do— as compared to looking at it as an advertisement.

We’ve also set up demos at different educational and kids events to let them try snippets before the campaign was out. The kids loved it and they’ve been keeping their parents engaged.

Lastly, we’ve prepared really great rewards for the supporters and backers of our project. The earlier backers get special in-game bonuses for taking the first step, so be sure to check it out.

Is there anything quirky, fun or unusual you’re trying with your campaign?

We’ve planned our campaign around engaging the whole community by inviting them to build the game together with us. Backers don’t just get access to a product. Instead, they either become a part of it or part of designing it.

Backers get perks such as being in in-game credits, getting Non-Player Characters (NPCs) named after themselves (such as shopkeepers and enemy bosses), designing the next set of adventures, and also voting to decide the next feature.

We’ve also made sure that there is special recognition for our crowdfunding backers by giving them exclusive rewards that are only available to them.

Any advice on launching a crowdfunding campaign?

Engage your community of family and friends first— they are your biggest fans and love you no matter what.

The next would be talking to your local community. Your success is their success and they will cheer you on!

Lastly, plan and start taking action at least three to six months before the launch date. We launched almost two months after our original launch date. If we could do it over, we would spend more time on getting initial commitments right before the launch.