Kiwi start-up hits US$100K crowdfunding target for decision-making app

Wellington tech startup Loomio last night hit their US$100,000 (NZ$115,711) crowdfunding target, in a campaign to build a new collaborative decision-making tool.

“The response from thousands of supporters all over the world has been totally overwhelming,” says Ben Knight, co-founder, Loomio.

“It’s amazing to hit our target with time to spare. If we can push it even further, Callaghan Innovation will match funds to add to the amount we’ve already raised.

"If we can reach additional funding, we’ll be able to extend the core app with additional functionality like plugins for participatory budgeting and integration with other social media platforms.”

The Loomio Co-operative, based at Wellington social enterprise hub Enspiral, has been fundraising to build a fully-featured mobile decision-making tool.

This new development builds on a prototype that is already being used by thousands of people in businesses, community groups and social change movements all over the world.

Knight explains that the benefit of using Loomio to make decisions online has been recognised by a wide spectrum of users, from activists and community groups, to businesses, city councils and government departments.

“Loomio is a great tool for anyone who needs to make decisions with a group, and the diversity of groups using it is striking," he adds.

"On the same day that Loomio was announced as a winner of the international MIX award for management innovation, we had a clip on RT America television about Loomio being a useful tool for protesters to co-ordinate and organise.

“Our campaign was helped along by four organisations who chose a US$5,000 reward package that includes customised software and expert facilitation services, to help get businesses and organisations using Loomio professionally in their work.

“It feels amazing that a piece of open source technology developed by a group of social innovators in Wellington is now helping people around the world organise themselves and make better decisions together.

“We couldn’t have come this far without the support the Enspiral network, which is really putting Wellington on the map as a hub for innovative social technology.”

The Loomio campaign closes at 7pm on Thursday 17th April (NZST).