Crowdfunding: Exposing the link between projects and reward mechanisms CROWDFUNDING “Exploring the link between projects and reward mechanisms” Candidate: Sofia Alexandra Cardoso André dos Santos Advisor: Professor Juan Andrei Villarroel Fernandez, PhD
[email protected] Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of MSc in Business Administration, at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, June 2013 Crowdfunding: Exposing the link between projects and reward mechanisms ABSTRACT CROWDFUNDING: EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN PROJECTS AND REWARD MECHANISMS Sofia Alexandra Cardoso André dos Santos Crowdfunding is a recent organizational phenomenon for which there is little academic research. More than just offering a categorization of the crowdfunding reality, the aim of this study is to unveil the ways in which projects and rewards are linked across the global crowdfunding scenario. For the purpose of this study, several crowdfunding platforms were reviewed, with the focus of analyzing project characteristics such as owners, type and intent and finding a connection between the referred variables and the reward schemes which were commonly associated with them. The findings pointed out significant differences and clear reward preferences among the different project owners’ profiles and even among the different types of projects categories present in the crowdfunding platforms. Ultimately, the reader will be able to understand the links between project features and reward mechanisms and how they play out in the crowdfunding scenario. Moreover, they will be able to identify what type of rewards they may expect from a specific project type. This can be of great relevance for seekers and backers, since it clarifies what rewards a platform will offer taking into account the projects it promotes.