Got it! Let's look at this from a different perspective.
This is precisely why crowdfunding exists - to make projects possible without start-up capital. The argument "I don't have any money" applies to almost all start-ups.
That's why you don't pay any fees in advance, but only if you are successful. Success means: money from the crowd.
For crowdfunding to work online, you need infrastructure, security concepts, compliance with regulations and a community. Startnext offers all of this in return for a success fee. In order to remain fair and equitable, we distinguish between different types of crowdfunding and plans.
Important: You do not have to use your own money.
Creating and presenting a project on Startnext does not incur any ongoing costs. You only pay when your project has successfully raised money and you receive it. The commission is paid from the money raised by the crowd.
This is how the calculation works:
You include the commission and all other fees in your funding target. The costs include:
Example: You need €10,000. With a commission of 10%, transaction fees of approx. 3% and VAT, if applicable, you would have to set your funding target at around €11,500-12,000. After deducting all fees, you will be left with your €10,000.
Use our funding calculator to automatically calculate your funding target including commission.
Discount codes reduce your costs:
We offer discount codes for social projects, impact initiatives and other causes. You can find out more in the plan overview. An example? Read our newsletter and get a 10% discount code.
But didn't Startnext and other platforms have a voluntary fee? Isn't that much better?
Yes, we thought so too. We changed that.
This is because the crowd also pays voluntary fees - so it doesn't change the origin of the money. But it does change something about fairness: empathetic people pay more, while pragmatists tend to set the slider to 0. That's not a fair distribution.
It won't be more expensive for you, just more transparent. Another advantage: supporters are not distracted by a second donation box for the platform and can concentrate fully on your project.