Chinese tech startups flock to foreign crowdfunding platforms

Online fundraising sites used to boost name recognition, expand sales

20211215 Makuake

EcoFlow raised over 1.1 billion yen in all for three projects on Japan's Makuake crowdfunding site (Screenshot of Makuake webpage)

TAKASHI KAWAKAMI, Nikkei staff writer

GUANGZHOU -- For a growing cohort of Chinese tech startups, overseas crowdfunding platforms serve as springboards to expansion into key markets abroad. These companies are using online fundraising sites to enhance their name recognition and lift sales in markets outside China.

EcoFlow, a manufacturer of portable batteries, has staged successful fundraising campaigns on U.S. crowdfunding platforms including Kickstarter, which mostly raises money for creative projects like art, music, film and technology. The Chinese company has also raised more than 1.1 billion yen ($9.7 million) on Japan's Makuake.

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