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Move over Kickstarter: AppStori launches community platform to fuel indie development

Users can offer funds, feedback and promotion

Move over Kickstarter: AppStori launches community platform to fuel indie development
Doubts may have been raised about the longevity of the Kickstarter model for indies, but the need for more routes to market for smaller studios is undeniable.

AppStori's solution is to deliver a community platform that not only offers developers the opportunity to tout for financial backing, but also to gather feedback from potential consumers, as well as win their support for future promo needs.

The idea is, consumers can browse a series of mobile projects before they reach the market.

Developers can list projects – pre-screened by AppStori – for their delectation, with users then able to back the app with funds, deliver feedback or help, or offer to promote them via social media.

Friendly funding

Teams that list projects on AppStori set an initial funding goal to be met before a fixed date. Money pledged, however, only changes hands if the goal is met or exceeded.

Those who offer support are also entitled to receive customised benefits from the developer as a thank you, ranging from branded merchandise, to other app-specific goods and services.

"With the increased use of community funding and crowd-sourcing solutions, and the explosive growth of the mobile market over the last few years, we felt it fitting to offer innovative minds a dedicated resource to help bring their amazing ideas to life," said co-founders Michael Semegran and Arie Abecassis.

"There's still much innovation to be unlocked in mobile technology, and we wanted to create a robust, market-driven platform to improve app discovery and development."



The key to AppStori, the company claims, is that it offers a means for consumers to influence  what apps make it onto marketplace, as well as the very form they take when they get there.

More details can be found over on AppStori's website.

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.