In a recent article for SFGate, Peter Gasca (@petergasca) discusses some new, innovative productivity tools that are being launched for crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter.

As a result of the growing popularity of crowdfunding, new and exciting business products have risen. Kickstarter is a company that is leading this surge of crowdfunding, and since its launch in 2009, has funded more than 95,000 projects (collecting over $2 billion). Here are a few projects that Gasca suggests checking out:

•      New Zealand based Minaal is looking to tackle travel problems – their product is a newly designed travel carry-on that is compact in size while allowing for countless digital features that make it the ultimate travel companion.

•      Shooz is another company attacking travel by creating a unique shoe with interchangeable skins that allows for the freedom of wearing a variety of shoe styles while only taking up a small amount of room in your bag.

•      Despite the new trend that allows for digital payments through your mobile phone, there are companies emerging that still focus on traditional payment methods. Dax wallets have compact and sleek designs that are perfect for traveling with limited room. Aki slim wallets contain the traditional bi-fold design while still providing a lot of functionality.

•      Loopy is a simple adaptation of a phone case that adds protection while simultaneously making the phone easier to carry and handle.

•      Alt is another case that’s even more minimalist – the sleek protective case and unique mounting mechanism makes it easier to view the phone hands-free or place it down.

•      Rekonect is a magnetic notebook that aims to appeal to journalers. It contains pages that are easy to remove and place back, making it a helpful tool for artists, designers and anyone else who enjoys a flexible notebook.

•      Passion Planner is a more traditional notebook that is launching its newest “Give One Get One” campaign. The company has agreed to send one journal to an individual in need for every journal backed in the Kickstarter campaign.

•      Freedesk is an adjustable, affordable and attractive platform that can be used on almost any surface to create a standing desk.

•      If you’re looking for a more compact and mobile alternative to a standing desk, Levit8 is a portable laptop accessory that turns any desk into a standing desk while being lightweight, sturdy and compact.

•      Zag has created a portable “pocket” to store cords, pens and many other items, therefore de-cluttering your bag of all its accessories.

•      While most other products aim at one or the other, Pico aims at both business and pleasure. Pico is a fully automatic craft beer brewing tool that allows anyone to brew 5-liter mini kegs of professional quality beer.

Gasca has only incorporated the projects that caught his eye, but there are plenty more potentially unique and innovative projects that, with the help of crowdfunding, have the potential to become the next big product.

Read source article here