Best of Kickstarter and Indiegogo — April 2022

Kickstarter and Indiegogo are hotbeds of innovation. There’s always something new, from games to consumer electronics, gadgets, and accessories, just a click away.

Each month, I’m awed by the ideas people have worked to create. Some projects my team is proud to come alongside. Others I learn more about through my podcast, Art of the Kickstart. Still many others I learn about like you do​, as a backer or bystander.

Here are some of my favorite projects from April. If you see projects you think I should take a closer look at in May, please send them my way!

MetMo Driver — Kickstarter

MetMo is a tinkerer’s dream. There are probably thousands of different screwdrivers on the market, so what makes this one stand out? Well, for starters, it’s versatile. I love any product that doubles as a desk toy, and if you’ve seen my offices, you’d understand. MetMo Driver works as a re-imagined screwdriver that gets the job done and also lets you fidget. It’s almost like a swiss knife; it lets you play with and open different parts. This screwdriver works with any drive bit, reverses and is battery-free. The design of MetMo is extremely versatile.

Luup-X — Indiegogo

Suppose there’s one activity I had to choose to be my only hobby for the rest of my life, I’d choose mountain biking. I’m an avid mountain biker and hit the trails a few times a week. So I was excited to see Luup-X’s campaign on Indiegogo. This bike is built from a lightweight carbon fiber frame and is engineered to be ridden all year long. It sounds like a biker lover’s dream to me. I won’t get too deep into the nerdy bike features, but this bike has everything you’d need for an off-road bike experience. Each frame is built custom to your height, and it is available in three colors. When I retire my current bike, I’ll be looking atLuup-X as a possible replacement.

The Oru Lake — Kickstarter

Because I love activities outdoors, I’ve dabbled in quite a few activities. Lugging around heavy gear has never been my favorite part. The Oru Lake solves the problem of carrying heavy kayaks from your car to the water The campaign says this kayak is the “lightest, simplest, origami kayak ever.” Having launched their company on Kickstarter 10 years ago, they know a thing or two about kayaks. The Oru Lake kayak assembles in minutes and weighs 18 lbs. Even my girls could lift it. Their company has a range of compatible accessories and equipment that make the Oru Lake a worthy investment for those who enjoy the water.

RANGER — Kickstarter

Love camping, but can’t escape the luxuries of technology for too long? Need power on the go? You need RANGER. RANGER is the world’s first backpack power station that has found the sweet spot between backpacks and power supply. It comes with ambient light, signal lights, a rainproof cover and storage space. From its looks, RANGER would be a great recreational accessory but would also work in a pinch for an emergency. So next time my girls and I are camping in the woods, I’ll need to bring RANGER along.

ElegaBand — Kickstarter

If you’re a smartwatch wearer, listen up. Did you know there are a million and one different watch bands on the market? What makes this one different? ElegaBand can be worn in four different ways to accommodate any activity you’re participating in. From running to playing sports and lifting, ElegaBand can be worn in five different positions, giving you the flexibility to adjust. I’ve noticed when riding my peloton that a watch on my wrist is sometimes uncomfortable, but with ElegaBand, I could just move it to my forearm. Can’t decide which watchband to get? Go with ElegaBand.

STRIG Mini — IndieGoGo

From massage chairs to battery-free massagers, massagers are a dime a dozen. STRIG Mini helps you relax and prime your muscles. It’s a natural pain reliever and can be used on your entire body. I’ve seen a few massagers like this, but this is the smallest and easiest to hold. According to their campaign, a physical therapist’s ten years’ experience went into creating STRIG.

TAGLOCK — Kickstarter

I’ll be traveling more this summer now that my girls are almost done with school. TAGLOCK is something I can use on my trips for work and play. TAGLOCK Is TSA accepted and lets you attach an ID to your luggage. I learned from their campaign that over 20 million luggage units are lost annually, and I sure don’t want my luggage to be one of those. TAGLOCK lets you track your luggage and comes in many different colors, helping your luggage stand out from the crowd. This secure and trendy lock is something I know my family would need.

JARSTY — Kickstarter

I have a busy schedule, and some days I don’t have the time to cook a meal in the middle of the day. If you’ve prepped before, you know how tedious it can get. Jarsty is here to help. Jarsty is an all-in-one meal prepping system that lets you cook, store, transport and consume your meal with one tool. The best part is that it takes less than 30 minutes to cook your raw ingredients thoroughly. I could spare 30 minutes if I have to microwave a bowl for 6 minutes and let it sit for the rest of the 30. Their campaign offers a few example recipes, and Jarsty works with an app. So if you’re looking to reduce cooking time and eat healthy fresh meals, Jarsty is for you.

These eight innovations have me inspired. Which products stood out to you?