Indiegogo is launching ‘Express Crowdfunding’ so creators can ship things sooner | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Indiegogo is launching ‘Express Crowdfunding’ so creators can ship things soonerComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechCreatorsCloseCreatorsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All CreatorsIndiegogo is launching ‘Express Crowdfunding’ so creators can ship things soonerIndiegogo’s move to new infrastructure is preventing Ayaneo from shipping a new retro gaming handheld when it expected to.Indiegogo’s move to new infrastructure is preventing Ayaneo from shipping a new retro gaming handheld when it expected to.by Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersDec 2, 2025, 10:24 PM UTCLinkShareImage: The VergeJay PetersCloseJay PetersPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.Indiegogo is planning to launch a new “Express Crowdfunding” campaign format that lets creators ship things while the campaign is on-going instead of forcing creators to wait until the campaign is over.Indiegogo spokesperson Maciej Kuc tells The Verge that the change was spurred by Indiegogo’s recent move to the infrastructure from its new owner, board game crowdfunding company Gamefound:Switching to an entirely new technology is always a major challenge. The technology Indiegogo is currently working on was originally created for Gamefound – a slightly more “typical” crowdfunding platform. Its core assumption was that creators run a campaign to raise funds in order to bring a product to life. The technology expected that at least two weeks would pass between the crowdfunding campaign and the pledge manager phase – the moment when orders are finalized, new ones are added, and shipping addresses are collected.One prominent example of the current system’s delays, which was reported on by Android Authority, was Ayaneo’s campaign for its new Pocket AIR Mini retro gaming handheld. Ayaneo originally planned to begin shipping the handheld by the end of November, but because of “platform policy requirements,” the company says it can’t collect addresses for shipping until December 5th. Specifically, Ayaneo says it can’t request to move the campaign into the Pledge Manager phase, where shipping addresses are collected, until December 2nd, and that request takes approximately three days to be reviewed. Shipments will now begin “around” December 10th, according to Ayaneo.Indiegogo’s new Express Crowdfunding format “should be available” in early February, Kuc says.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersCreatorsCloseCreatorsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All CreatorsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularOpenAI declares ‘code red’ as Google catches up in AI raceNetflix kills casting from phonesSamsung’s Z TriFold is official and it looks like a tablet with a phone attachedMKBHD is taking down his wallpaper appSteam Machine today, Steam Phones tomorrowThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Indiegogo is introducing “Express Crowdfunding,” a new campaign format designed to expedite the fulfillment process for creators, addressing longstanding delays within the platform’s infrastructure. This initiative stems from Indiegogo’s recent transition to a new technology stack, originally developed for the board game crowdfunding company Gamefound:Switch, highlighting the common challenges associated with adopting entirely new systems. The core premise of the original technology was predicated on a standard crowdfunding cycle – a campaign duration followed by a two-week period before the pledge manager phase, where shipping logistics are finalized and addresses are collected. However, this established pattern frequently encountered disruptions due to platform policy requirements, as exemplified by Ayaneo’s experience with their Pocket AIR Mini retro gaming handheld.

Ayaneo’s campaign, initially slated to begin shipping the handheld by the end of November, was hampered by restrictions within the Indiegogo platform preventing the collection of shipping addresses until December 5th. This delay, compounded by a three-day review process for the campaign’s transition to the Pledge Manager phase, pushed the anticipated shipping date to approximately December 10th, a considerable postponement of the product’s release. This case underscores the systemic issues previously encountered, showcasing the vulnerability of creators relying on the traditional Indiegogo workflow.

The newly launched “Express Crowdfunding” format, spearheaded by Indiegogo spokesperson Maciej Kuc, aims to circumvent these bureaucratic hurdles by integrating shipping logistics directly into the campaign itself. Kuc indicated that the format should be available to creators in early February. This approach represents a fundamental shift in Indiegogo’s operational model, prioritizing faster fulfillment times and reducing the dependence on protracted platform review cycles. The goal is to allow creators to immediately begin shipping products as funds are raised, rather than adhering to the established two-week wait period. This represents a tangible response to creator frustrations and a commitment to streamlining the crowdfunding experience. The format’s availability in early February marks a significant advancement, providing creators with a viable alternative to the previously encountered delays.