Philips has been around longer than your grandparents’ living room radio. They’re an industry OG that everyone knows. But in a world where smaller, faster, and trendier brands are stealing the spotlight with viral products (even if the quality’s a little… questionable), being a legacy brand isn’t always a plus. So, they called us.
Enter RAINFACTORY. (Cue the heroic themesong)
Philips Projection came to us with a challenge:
- Small R&D budgets;
- A product line—projectors—that felt undifferentiated in a crowded market; and,
- Zero time to waste.
Their objectives were to:
- Test the waters;
- Validate demand;
- Build real consumer buzz for a new family of products (the PicoPix Max, U4, U5, and UL5 Smart projectors);
- Oh, and make it rain millions of dollars.
No big deal.
The Results? Let’s Talk Numbers.
Rainfactory drove $19.1M in crowdfunding across four campaigns—shattering expectations and funding goals in record time:
- PicoPix Max: $7,379,312 raised from 15,244 backers.
- U4: $6,495,615 raised from 9,304 backers.
- U5: $3,997,370 raised from 1,982 backers.
- UL5 Smart: $1,226,636 raised from 1,448 backers.
What’s more, PicoPix Max hit its funding goal in 10 minutes.
U5 hit its funding goal in 5 minutes.
How did we make it happen? That’s where the real story begins.
How We Sparked a $19M Movement
Crowdfunding success doesn’t come easy. It’s a mix of science, storytelling, and just the right amount of hustle–the exact chaos that Rainfactory has been thriving in since 2014.
With $1 billion+ generated for our clients and 60+ product launches over $1 million, we’ve kinda got the crowdfunding game on lock. No need to take notes…we’ve got all the details right here.
It all started with demand generation. Most marketing agencies just launch products. We build ecosystems:
- Thousands of email leads, carefully nurtured.
- In-depth surveys to nail the pricing sweet spot.
- Positioning that turned projectors into must-haves for movie lovers, binge-watchers, and gadget geeks everywhere.
Newsflash: at the end of the day, it’s not the product that sells–it’s the idea. In this case it was: “binge-watching reimagined,” “pocket-sized cinema magic,” “ultra-smart home entertainment.”
The Rainfactory Way
You say OCD; we say neurodivergent. Obsessing over data and responding to it in creative ways is what makes us special.
- We tested. Audience messaging, pricing validation, what mattered most to consumers.
- We created. Ads, landing pages, and social media content that didn’t just convert—it made people feel something.
- We scaled. Online advertising on multiple platforms that started small and quickly built into a sales tsunami.
Most importantly, we engaged people–early adopters, reviewers, and tech lovers who couldn’t wait to get their hands on the products. Their hype became our rocket fuel.
“…With Rainfactory, it felt like we had an additional core member in our team, constantly striving for excellence. Their unparalleled insights, strategic foresight, and relentless dedication have been instrumental in steering our campaign to its zenith. To anyone on the fence about Rainfactory, know this: they don’t just set the bar, they are the bar.” —Naufel Dekli | VP of Product/R&D, Philips Projection
Let’s get into the nitty gritty (told ya we obsess over the details):
1. We Chose the Right Platform
Philips launched on Indiegogo—a global crowdfunding powerhouse. Why?
- Early adopters: Indiegogo is where tech enthusiasts live. They don’t just fund products—they advocate for them.
- Real-time feedback: By engaging their backers directly, Philips was able to validate demand and fine-tune messaging.
- Reward loyalty: Early backers got the best pricing before projectors hit retail shelves. That’s the kind of love that builds brand loyalty.
2. We Launched Laser-Focused Ads That Scaled Like Crazy
For the U5, we targeted high-tech gadget lovers with disposable income–people willing to invest in premium products. Instead of going broad, we dug deep, A/B testing dozens of ad iterations to find the perfect mix of creative, copy, and placement.
The results:
- 30,257 email leads generated.
- 23.38% of sales on Indiegogo directly tracked to ads
- A jaw-dropping 8.86 MER for the entire campaign.
Driving traffic is one thing, but converting backers is where the money’s at.
3. We Utilized Email & SMS to Close the Deal
The number of leads doesn’t matter if they don’t convert.
For one of the more recent campaigns, we launched with over 28,000 email contacts, timed perfectly around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. Weekly updates with the right messaging kept backers engaged.
The results:
- 50% email open rates.
- 7% click rates.
Next, we leveled up with SMS updates, third-party press coverage, and downloadable holiday cards to keep momentum rolling.
Leads became backers. Fast.
4. We Developed PR & Influencer Partnerships for Buzz
As much as we’d all love campaigns to spread organically like wildfire, 9/10 times they’re something you’ve gotta build strategically.
So, Rainfactory launched a killer PR and influencer outreach strategy to get Philips’ projectors in front of the right eyes.
- 250+ targeted media outlets. Tech blogs, lifestyle mags, you name it.
- 100+ influencers. From unboxings to reviews, these creators got people talking.
The team nailed every detail—from the pitch list to final rates and terms, and it showed. The outreach earned a 35% open rate and a healthy 8% click rate. We’ve shipped dozens of review units to reviewers in the US and EU.
5. We Globalized the Purchasing Experience
Crowdfunding isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. In the case of Philips, a longstanding brand with customers on virtually every continent, backers came from around the world. So, Rainfactory worked to make the experience seamless:
- Post-Campaign Tax, Shipping and Handling: VAT confusion? Gone. Philips streamlined fees and shipping for backers worldwide.
- Global Logistics: With more than 50% of sales outside the US, Philips ensured everyone had a smooth experience. We hooked them up with the best 3PL providers that we know, and they received several competitive offers.
From Legacy Brand to D2C Powerhouse
Philips Projection, the traditional titan, went from “reliable and safe” to “innovative and exciting” with the right strategic guidance and launch execution from Rainfactory.
We obliterated their sales goals, and along the way, Philips got something priceless: thousands of loyal, excited customers, ready to spread the word and light up living rooms with their new projectors.
Because here’s the thing about crowdfunding done right: it goes beyond validating demand. It transforms brands.
So, What’s Next?
If we can turn pico and home theater projectors into a $19M movement, imagine what we can do for you.
If you’re ready to:
- Smash your launch goals;
- Redefine your market; and,
- Turn your innovation into the next big thing…
Let’s talk. ☔