クラウドファンディングのリアル —Hayabusa Racingの挑戦と学び
- hayabusaracing2025
- Feb 15
- 4 min read
チームのクラファン：
The Reality of Crowdfunding and Keys to Success
In recent years, crowdfunding has experienced a temporary boom. Some people might see it as a magical system that allows money to be raised effortlessly. Among student organizations, many members may expect it to be a more efficient way to secure funds compared to seeking sponsorships from companies.
I was one of those people.
To participate in the F1 in Schools competition (now called STEM Racing), I thought crowdfunding could help cover part of the necessary funds and decided to launch a campaign. Although this project is still ongoing, I’d like to share the lessons I’ve learned so far.
Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding for Student Organizations
There are two key requirements for launching a crowdfunding campaign: a bank account and rewards. However, these are also the biggest hurdles for student organizations.
1. The Bank Account Issue
For high school students, using a bank account for crowdfunding can be difficult. If a school club already has an official account, that helps, but generally, high school students cannot easily manage funds under their own accounts. Using a parent’s account can also lead to tax issues. Moreover, some crowdfunding platforms restrict access to minors, making it challenging to set up an account smoothly.
2. The Challenge of Rewards
Crowdfunding requires offering rewards to supporters, but this can be a major obstacle. For example, if you plan to offer T-shirts or custom merchandise as rewards, you need upfront costs to produce them. Without initial capital, preparing rewards becomes impossible. Fortunately, in our case, we had financial support from sponsors, which allowed us to prepare rewards, but without this, our crowdfunding launch would have been significantly delayed.
3. The Advantage of Being Students
However, student organizations have a unique strength: being students itself is a powerful advantage.
The key to crowdfunding success lies in gaining empathy and support. When people see high school students working hard, especially toward a big goal, they are naturally inclined to help. The determination and effort of students can strongly resonate with many people, making it easier to gain financial backing.
The Biggest Misconception About Crowdfunding
One of the most common misconceptions about crowdfunding is believing that money will somehow just come in.
Funds don’t magically appear out of nowhere. The only reason money is available to you is that someone out there has consciously decided to support your cause.
Think about it from the perspective of a potential supporter. Would you willingly give your hard-earned money to a random student organization you’ve never heard of? If you switch roles and view it from that angle, you’ll realize how unrealistic it is to expect money to simply flow in without effort.
So, how can you actually attract supporters?
How Student Organizations Can Raise Funds Through Crowdfunding
There are two primary approaches to successfully raising funds through crowdfunding.
1. Offering Attractive Rewards
The most straightforward way to get support from strangers is to offer compelling rewards. This may be challenging for students, but by leveraging unique perspectives and ideas, it can be possible.
However, it's important to remember that the goal of crowdfunding is not just to raise money, but to successfully execute the project. If too much time and effort are spent on preparing rewards, it may take focus away from the main mission. Therefore, the feasibility of this approach should be carefully considered.
2. Raising Funds Through Steady, Direct Efforts
The approach we are taking is more straightforward: reaching out to individuals and companies directly to gather support.
This method is similar to traditional sponsorship-seeking efforts. In Japan, many companies may not be able to offer official sponsorship, but their employees may personally want to support young students. By leveraging these individual contributions, crowdfunding can serve as a powerful fundraising tool.
Additionally, it's important to utilize personal connections through family and friends. For example, colleagues of your parents or acquaintances within your network can be potential supporters. Many people are willing to contribute if they have a direct connection to you.
3. Utilizing Social Media
Social media is an essential tool for spreading awareness. In Japan, X (formerly Twitter) is the most effective platform for reaching a wide audience. Regularly posting updates and sharing progress can help attract more attention and support.
Conclusion
Crowdfunding is not a magical solution for raising funds. For student organizations, there are significant challenges, such as bank account restrictions and the difficulty of preparing rewards. However, by leveraging the unique advantage of being students and sharing a compelling story, it is possible to secure substantial support.
The key to success lies in thinking from the supporter’s perspective and putting in consistent effort. Instead of viewing crowdfunding as just a way to collect money, it should be seen as an opportunity to communicate the value of your project. Careful planning and execution are essential for making crowdfunding a meaningful and successful endeavor.
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