Creative people in Charlotte make a killing on Kickstarter

Here’s a breakdown of all the Kickstarter projects listing a Charlotte origin that have raised more than $60,000.

1) 2013: The Last Halloween (webcomic)

Raised: $126,507 from 3,324 backers.

Last updated: April 1, 2015

Concept: Online, 110-page, black and white graphic novel about a 10-year-old girl saving the world from doom and destruction. The comic would update weekly over nine months with about three pages each time.

The artist, Abby Howard, told Agenda that she chose Kickstarter after seeing other independent cartoonists find success with the platform.

“It is an excellent service for independent creators, particularly those who already have an audience they can rely upon,” she said. “If you’re thinking of launching a Kickstarter but haven’t spent time and effort building up an audience, I’d hold off. It’s probably not going to do very well, even if it’s something people would enjoy.”

Sadly, Howard has since taken her talents to Seattle.

2) Screwing Reinvented: The World’s Best Deck Screw

Raised: $109,926 from 610 backers.

Last updated: July 29, 2015

Concept: Screws are terrible and haven’t been updated since the 1930s. This screw wouldn’t need pre-drilling, wouldn’t strip or slip.

The company, Outlaw Fasteners, was founded in Charlotte in 2013. The invention won a ton of wood industry awards.

3) Draco Magi (card game)

Raised: $95,564 from 3,531 backers.

Last updated: August 25, 2015

Concept: A strategic card game wherein you attempt to seize power by demonstrating mastery of all types of dragons.

Created by a guy who’s a banker during the day and a game aficionado by night. Love the passion and creativity.

4) SmartCharge™ – Never be in the dark again! (light bulb)

Raised: $91,804 from 984 backers.

Last updated: January 22, 2015

Concept: A LED bulb that senses when the power is out and still works when you flip the light switch.

A creation of serial entrepreneur Shailendra Suman, who is also linked to the Gaswatch propane tank indicator and iFi Systems mobile key finder.

5) John Mark McMillan’s Best Album Ever! (Christian music)

Raised: $69,539 from 1,518 backers.

Last updated: November 14, 2014

Concept: A blitz campaign by this indie rock Christian artist to fund an entire album in 30 days.

He’s on tour in Boone and Asheville later this month.

6) Stick Magnets by Strong Like Bull Magnets

Raised: $68,356 from 1,343 backers.

Last updated: August 30, 2015

Concept: Peel-and-stick super strong magnets that look cool

This was actually the second Kickstarter campaign from Stallings inventor Brian Conti. He blew his goal out of the water. The other project:

7) bottleLoft… by Strong Like Bull Magnets

Raised: $60,957 from 1,287 backers.

Last updated: July 9, 2015

Concept: Free up space in your fridge by hanging them from the shelf above.

Love the N.C. beer pics.

(Photo credits: Kickstarter)