# Niche Crowdfunding Crowdlending sites help give a voice to niche enterprises and causes. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Apr 10, 2015 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/hyperniche-crowdfunding ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Niche Crowdfunding trend? **Niche Crowdfunding:** Offering niche communities and small scale business endeavors an outlet for heightening exposure, specialized crowdfunding platforms are becoming a place interests and enterprises can gain momentum. Raising funds and support for everything from wine projects to restaurant communities and writer initiatives, consumers are utilizing the power of social funding to expose mainstream audiences to more unique enterprises. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 22, 2014 to Nov 4, 2015 - Published: Apr 10, 2015 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Niche Crowdfunding trend ### Specialized Crowdfunding Specialized crowdfunding platforms are becoming a place for niche communities and small business endeavors to gain exposure and support. ### Equity Crowdfunding Equity crowdfunding platforms are allowing customers to become investors in their favorite products and services. ### Virtual Reality Gaming Virtual reality gaming is revolutionizing the gaming industry, with open-world action RPG games such as Home Free allowing players to experience realistic environments and stories. ## What the Niche Crowdfunding trend means for industry ### For Finance The finance industry can benefit from specialized crowdfunding and equity crowdfunding platforms. ### For Hospitality/Culinary The restaurant industry can utilize equity crowdfunding platforms to fund new ventures and attract customers. ### For Gaming The virtual reality gaming industry is paving the way for immersive and engaging gaming experiences that go beyond traditional gaming. ## Workshop question What is your brand doing to prepare for the next wave of entrepreneurs? What disruptive approach to your industry might put you at risk? ## Trend signals for Niche Crowdfunding Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 35%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 35% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Niche Crowdfunding trend 4 featured examples from Mar 22, 2014 to Nov 4, 2015. - [Restaurant Crowdfunding Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/equity-crowdfunding-platform): The Equity Crowdfunding Platform Turns Customers Into Investors (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Equity Eats is disrupting traditional restaurant finance by enabling entrepreneurs to fundraise through equity crowdfunding and allowing customers to become investors in future ea… - [Wine-Focused Funding Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crowdfunding-site): Fundovino is a Crowdfunding Site Dedicated Solely to Wine Projects (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design a crowdfunding platform that focuses on specific sectors, such as sustainable fashion or craft breweries. - [Crowdfunding Writer Project Websites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beacon): Beacon is Kickstarter for Writers Working on Passion Projects (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new crowdfunding platforms and services tailored to the needs of freelance writers and their passion projects. - [Rescue Dog Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-free-game): The 'Home Free' Game Was Inspired by a Real Rescue Dog (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new genres and gameplay mechanics to captivate and engage players in the fast-growing video game development industry. ## Recent trend clusters - [Category Mashups](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/category-mashups) (Business) - [Festive Fusions](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/festive-fusions) (Lifestyle) - [Engineered Layers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/engineered-layers) (Fashion) - [Embedded Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/embedded-intelligence) (Tech) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Repairable Hardshell Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sperro-sv) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)