Amanda Palmer (http://www.thatericalper.com)

While reading through Corina Bizim’s blog on crowd-funding, I was immediately reminded of a TED talk I recently viewed. Corinna wrote about connecting consumers to producers through crowd-funding. Who better to decide which projects are developed than those who are using them. The idea is that anybody can pose an idea to the internet community . If people approve, they put their own money towards the project. This transparent model has successfully led to the invention of many innovative products.

The Internet provides a platform through which an entrepreneur can reach an audience. The publics role in product development is minimal. Their input allows for the creation of better products. The power of crowd-funding  is in the relationship between the inventor and investor. Only ideas that inspire and resonate with the investor are funded. The Internet connects innovators to a larger audience than possible in the past. In the video, Amanda Palmer says that innovators need to “ask without shame”. The Internet is a place to ask for the resources necessary to translate an idea into reality. Gone are the days when entrepreneurs are at the mercy of venture capitalists. Rather, it is a story, idea, or adventure, communicated to the world via the Internet, that will become actualized. This is a new and better way of entrepreneurship.