Image: Kickstarter helped fund New York's +Pool

Kickstarter, the world's largest crowd-funding platform for creative projects, has announced that UK-based proposals will be able to take advantage of the service from autumn 2012.

The concept is currently restricted to US-based proposals but has now confirmed on Twitter that "people in the UK will be able to launch projects on Kickstarter starting this autumn".

According to Kickstarter, it has helped launch more than 63,000 projects as of 11 July 2012 - more than 26,000 of which have been successfully funded.

In its four-year history, the platform has attracted around US$280m (EUR228m, £180m) to support a range of creative schemes across 13 categories and 33 sub-categories.

Among the successful projects it has supported is +Pool, a floating, cross-shaped pool to be located in New York's Hudson river and which reached its funding target inside six days.

Using Amazon's Flexible Payments Service, people to donate to Kickstarter projects of their choosing - although pledges are only taken once a project reaches its funding target.

Kickstarter's Justin Kazmark told Leisure Management (2012 Issue 1) earlier this year: "This makes sure that backers are supporting projects that are fully funded.

"And creators are also protected, because they're only on the hook to deliver if they have the cash to do so."

Crowd funding platforms are already helping a number of UK projects, including plans for the rejuvenation of Cody Dock as a new nature and arts hub near London's Olympic Park.

A crowd funding campaign fronted by Sir Ian Botham is also aiming to support the roll-out of Cage Cricket - a new "street version" of the sport which hopes to increase participation.

For more on New York-based dot.com Kickstarter, the world's largest crowd-funding platform for creative projects, see Leisure Management 2012 Issue 1, p46

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