Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Crowdfunding, explained by Exploding Kittens

Want to learn about crowdfunding? Exploding Kittens can help.

What’s the real appeal of crowdfunding? If you ask the creator of Exploding Kittens, the record-breaking Kickstarter-born card game, the answer is something more surprising than dollar signs.

I spoke with Elan Lee about his game’s stunning success, and why he and his fellow co-founders decided to draw from the crowdfunding well once again for their second game, Bears vs. Babies. As the above video shows, their emphasis on community isn’t just PR — it’s a plank of their business.

Kickstarter puts an emphasis on community as well. I spoke to Kickstarter CEO and cofounder Yancey Strickler at this year’s TED conference to learn about his philosophy behind running the crowdfunding company. He’s backed thousands of projects because, like Elan Lee, he believes understanding community is key to understanding his business.

Watch the video above to learn what crowdfunded hits really say about crowdfunding, beyond the money-focused headlines. Just make sure to watch out for those exploding kittens.

More in Video

Video
What would J.R.R. Tolkien think of Palantir?What would J.R.R. Tolkien think of Palantir?
Play
Video

How The Lord of the Rings lore helps explain the mysterious tech company.

By Benjamin Stephen
America, Actually
The progressive plan to reclaim the working classThe progressive plan to reclaim the working class
Podcast
America, Actually

Progressive caucus chair Rep. Greg Casar on his movement’s new playbook.

By Astead Herndon
Video
The Department of Holy WarThe Department of Holy War
Play
Video

What Pete Hegseth’s fascination with the Crusades can tell us about the war in Iran.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Live Nation lost. Will anything change for ticket prices?Live Nation lost. Will anything change for ticket prices?
Play
Video

A jury ruled Live Nation and Ticketmaster a monopoly, but what that means for ticket prices is not so simple.

By Frank Posillico
Eating the Ocean
Why are states unleashing millions of these fish?Why are states unleashing millions of these fish?
Play
Eating the Ocean

America’s fishing paradox.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Why Americans can’t escape credit card debtWhy Americans can’t escape credit card debt
Play
Video

Credit card APRs are now as high as 20 percent.

By Frank Posillico