Get Inspired by the Most Funded Kickstarter Ever — and Learn How to Protect Your Crowdfunding Campaign

When EufyMake launched their E1 UV printer campaign on Kickstarter, they set an ambitious goal: to raise $500,000 in two months. They reached it in just minutes. Fourteen hours later, they had already surpassed $10 million. By the end of the campaign, EufyMake had made history, raising $46.7 million from over 17,000 backers and becoming the most funded project ever on the platform.

The previous record was held by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, who raised $41.7 million in 2022 for four new novels. Before that, it was Pebble Technology's smartwatch campaign, which pulled in $20.3 million back in 2015.

These wildly different success stories prove one thing: there's still plenty of room for big ideas. And with the right mix of creativity, strategy, and timing, yours could be next.

What Made the E1 UV Printer So Popular — and What You Can Learn From It

EufyMake is part of Anker Innovations — a company already known for smart gadgets and practical tech. But this launch stood out because the product spoke directly to creators and small business owners.

The E1 UV printer is designed to print high-quality designs onto almost any material — wood, metal, glass, phone cases, tote bags, mugs, and more. It even adds 3D texture by stacking layers. For entrepreneurs selling customized products, this kind of printer can transform a business.

And even with a $2,000 price tag, thousands of people signed up because:

• It solved a real business need: helping creators make customized products professionally and easily

• It came from a trusted name

• The campaign featured clear, creative demos and visuals

• The rewards were valuable — especially the $1,970 early-bird bundle that sold out fast

Related: Nearly 60 Million Millionaires in the World Today — and Most Started Like You, as Small Business Owners

Could Your Idea Be Next?

Not every successful product launch needs a big company behind it. Many of the biggest crowdfunding wins started with just one or two people and an idea.

Do you sell customized products, design digital tools, or build services for niche markets? Maybe you're working on a device, a course, an app, or a physical product that solves a real problem. EufyMake's success shows that with the right pitch and product, you can attract thousands of backers who believe in your vision.

But here's what's easy to forget: the more attention you get, the more you need to protect what you're building.

Related: How to Blend Data and Intuition to Protect Your Small Business — Plus: Take the Quiz to Discover Your Cyber Instinct Style

Top Cyber Threats to Watch Out for When Launching a Crowdfunding Campaign

When you're pouring your energy into designing your product, building your pitch, and keeping backers excited, it's easy to push cybersecurity to the bottom of your to-do list. After all, you're focused on creating, not on what could go wrong.

But the truth is, the more visibility your campaign gets, the more attractive it becomes to cybercriminals. Scammers often target successful crowdfunding projects because they know creators are busy, overwhelmed, and often unprotected.

Here are just a few of the cybersecurity threats that can hit during a crowdfunding campaign:

• Phishing emails sent to your backers, pretending to be updates from your campaign, tricking them into making payments on fake sites.
• Fake websites and social media pages that copy your campaign visuals and messaging to steal money and personal information from supporters.
• Hacked accounts, where attackers gain access to your crowdfunding platform, email, or cloud storage and lock you out or change your settings.
• Leaks or theft of your designs and prototypes, especially if your files aren't encrypted or your sharing tools aren't secure.
• Customer data breaches, if you're collecting personal or payment information directly through a website or form.

Even one of these incidents can damage your credibility. Backers might pull their support, the platform could suspend your campaign, or worse — you could lose access to your funds altogether.

That's why cybersecurity should be part of your launch plan from the very beginning, not something you scramble to fix when something goes wrong.

How to Protect Your Project from Day One

You don't need to be a cybersecurity expert to keep your campaign safe. With just a few simple habits, you can protect your idea, your backers, and your reputation from day one.

• Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager for all campaign-related accounts.
• Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere — especially email, crowdfunding platforms, cloud storage, and payment processors.
• Keep devices protected with strong antivirus and scam detection.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi when working on sensitive parts of your project — use a VPN for a safer connection.
• Watch for fake emails or social media messages impersonating you or your campaign or your brand.
• If you're working with collaborators or freelancers, make sure they know the basics of staying secure, too.

Related: How to Start a Small Business with Cybersecurity in Mind: A Simple Step-by-Step Plan (with Printable Checklist)

To take the pressure off, Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security gives small teams, freelancers, and creators the protection they need without the complexity. It shields your devices from malware and ransomware, blocks phishing attempts before they reach your inbox, and alerts you if your business data is exposed in a breach. With AI-powered scam detection and an easy-to-use dashboard, it helps you stay one step ahead.

You don't need to choose between launching something amazing and staying safe. You can do both.

Try Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security for free and launch your big idea with peace of mind.

Success attracts attention. And attention attracts threats. Protect your project like it's already a big deal—because it is.