Yesterday’s NPR story on Kickstarter is heartwarming. Last year, more than two million people pledged almost $320 million to projects on the platform, proving that innovation remains alive and well in America. Amidst a media narrative saturated with gloomy tales of funding difficulties, it’s good to know that great ideas can surface and succeed. In 2012 I backed a variety of projects, including a Japanese vinegar drink, sweet hiking shoes and a cheese making kit. More about them another day.
For now, I nominate my favorite Kickstarter project of the year, which for me represents the very best of design thinking: the Oru Kayak, the world’s coolest folding boat. It combines aesthetic appeal, usability, unique materials, and precision engineering in a way far superior to anything else I have seen—yes, even Apple products. Watch the video for yourself. It feels good knowing that this project got funded… and knowing that good design can overcome great adversity.