Billion $ net worth company creating kickstarter...
Philips has a net worth in the billions, $20.67 billion as of July 12, 2023. (Source link) Yet they decided to create a kickstarter, charging "early bird" buyers these earphones that's designed for wearing while sleeping, basically the same as any other earphones, just slimmed down and cables running around your head.
What's infuriating is that there's dumbasses who actually gave them money to make a product ($500kmillion in total), so Philips is most likely not taking any risk making this, but will enjoy the profits.
I thought the whole point of a kickstarter was people with a product, but lacking the funds to get the project actually going getting a kick start to get going.... Not for billion dollar companies to beg for cash.
It's pretty common in Kickstarter circles to pledge a dollar to gain access to the pledge manager and decide if you actually want to make a purchase there.
After a Kickstarter ends you get access to the pledge manager where you can change your pledge if you want. So if you donate one dollar, you could then change it to a greater amount in the pledge manager after the end date.