This year we began documenting crowdfunding smashes, not as endorsements, but to make you design entrepreneurs aware of what's selling. Not all of these are standout objects, and several have us puzzled, but all of these drew dollars. It'll be up to you to figure out why.

The Voyager Outdoor Chair

A folding chair that can be carried like a backpack. Features a cooler under the seat.

$479,291 on Kickstarter.

$504,727 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $984,018.

The Pico, "A Garden In Your Palm"

A coffee-mug-sized plant growing container. Self-watering and with built-in LED lights.

$1,500,698 on Kickstarter.

$1,771,534 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $3.3 million.

The Aimicat "Automatic Kitty Litter Cleaning Companion"

A cat litter box that rotates like a cement mixer to separate the poop.

$670,793 on Kickstarter.

$1,273,020 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $1.9 million.

PrintPods

A portable handheld printing device.

$331,795 on Kickstarter.

$356,927 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $688,722.

ConnectLights

Outlet covers that double as motion-sensitive, wirelessly linked path lighting.

$285,476 on Kickstarter.

Skadu

A handheld cordless scrubber for household cleaning tasks.

$177,540 on Kickstarter.

$192,110 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $369,650.

Dr. Fauci and Nancy Pelosi Action Figures

$240,643 on Kickstarter.

The Conda Strap

A camera strap that goes from flexible to stiff, for tripod-like stability.

$99,051 on Kickstarter.

Creality 3D Print Mill

A tilted-nozzle 3D printer that can print piece of infinite length.

$1.4 million on Kickstarter.

The MicroMolder

A desktop injection molding machine.

$297,639 on Kickstarter.

The Stria

A metal ruler that folds in half.

$140,055 on Kickstarter.

$200,047 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $340,012.

Imezing Glue Pen

A cordless hot glue gun.

$166,313 on Kickstarter.

$170,062 on IndieGogo.

Total funding $336,375.

_______________________________________________

Here's to hoping you design entrepreneurs can do better in 2021!