Selecting a Product Stage helps backers understand how far along your Tech & Innovation perk is in the development cycle before they contribute. If you're funding the creation of a hardware product (if your perk has a power supply), Product Stages allow you to select your current stage of development and display it on your campaign page. Product Stages do not apply to films, apps, creative media or similar categories.
Please note that Indiegogo retains the right to rescind a Product Stage badge at any time.
Which campaigns qualify for Product Stages?
If you have a campaign that falls under the Tech & Innovation category and your perk is a hardware product, then your campaign is eligible to opt-in to Product Stages! To opt-in, you will need to select your Product Stage on the Basics tab of your Campaign Editor.
How do I know if my perk would be considered a hardware item?
If your perk has a power supply, it would be considered a hardware item and you should select a Product Stage. Here are a few examples of qualifying perks: Electric Skateboards, Speakers, Lamps, Electric Bikes.
Here are a few perks that do notcurrently qualify for Product Stages:
- Non-electric homeware (Pillows, Chairs, Hammocks, etc.)
- Clothing (Socks, Jackets, etc.)
- Fashion accessories (Sunglasses, Backpacks, etc.)
- Food
- Games
The Four Product Stages
The 4 Product Stage categories are approved in the following chronological order. Please note that all Tech & Innovation campaigns that have opted-in to Product Stages will default automatically to Concept Stage.
Concept: You have an idea for a physical perk that you are planning to create but you have not yet created a physical prototype. You may have mockups, drawings, or 3D renderings demonstrating the perk’s appearance or functionality once produced. Very basic prototypes (such as those composed of clay, wood, or paper) can also demonstrate that your campaign is in the Concept stage.
Keep in mind that your project must meet Indiegogo's Terms of Use.
Prototype: You have a working version of your physical perk. Your video successfully demonstrates the performance of core functions and working features as described in your campaign story. To be approved for the Prototype stage, you must provide the following:
- A high quality embedded video showing a working prototype on your campaign page.
- The video provided on the campaign page must demonstrate the key features and functionality of the physical prototype.
- 3D renderings, GIFs, photos-only, grainy/pixelated videos, and digital mockups will not be accepted.
Production: You have begun the process of turning the prototype into a mass-produced perk. In order to be approved for Production, you need to provide clear evidence that your perk is being manufactured at scale. In order to be approved for the Production stage, you must provide the following:
- At least 1 video and non-rendered photographic evidence of production runs, tooling, molds, manufactured components, or final inventory in the factory.
- The video should showcase the mass manufacturing process.
- Trial runs, pixelated videos, photos of sealed boxes, and photos-only are not sufficient documentation to be approved for the Production stage.
Shipping: You currently have the inventory to ship perks to your backers and you have begun actively shipping contributions. In order to be approved for the Shipping stage you must provide the following:
- Proof of visual preparation for shipping such as completed components or packaging is required.
- Providing the Trust team with a spreadsheet of valid tracking numbers, carrier names, and contribution IDs is preferred. Backer PII (personally identifiable information such as email addresses, full names, shipping addresses, etc.) should never be included in spreadsheets.
- If you are experiencing shipping delays due to the current (2022) global shipping backlog, our Trust team will consider reviewing a Bill of Lading as an alternative.
- You can also upload valid tracking numbers yourself to your campaign page via EasyPost; once you’ve uploaded 80% of your contributions’ tracking numbers then your campaign will automatically be approved for Shipping stage by Indiegogo.
Examples of Acceptable and Unacceptable Product Stage documentation
Approved Prototype Stage: The campaign contains a video of what appears to be a working, functional prototype that is not a 3-D rendering.
Denied Prototype Stage: The campaign only shows a photo of a prototype. A video of a working, functional prototype that is not a 3-D rendering must be included in order to be approved for the Prototype stage.
Approved Production Stage: The campaign Story of Updates shows mass manufacturing of the campaign’s perk.
Denied Production Stage: The photos only show packaged boxes; it is unclear what is inside of the packages.
Approved Shipping Stage: The campaigner has uploaded valid tracking numbers via EasyPost and the perks are being delivered to backers.
Denied Shipping Stage: The campaigner has uploaded tracking numbers via EasyPost but they are not populating or showing any movement or delivery of shipped perks.
Where do I send documentation that supports my requested Product Stage?
All information to support your chosen Product Stage needs to be visible on your campaign page (either in your campaign’s Story or Updates) in order to promote transparency for your backer community. If you’d like to send us additional or confidential information, you can do so either via your Account Manager (if applicable) or reach out to us using the email address associated with your Indiegogo account at: www.indiegogo.com/contact. Completing this form will submit an email to our User Operations Team, who will be happy to help.
Does Indiegogo review my documentation?
Our Trust & Safety team reviews documentation for Tech & Innovation campaigns that select a Product Stage after launch. You will receive an email notification once a decision is made regarding your Product Stage request. If approved, you will see the Product Stage badge above the pitch story on your campaign page.
Do I need a Product Stage approved in order to launch?
No, the review of any pending Product Stage requests does not delay the launch of your campaign. If you opt-in to Product Stages, then your campaign will default to Concept stage. Please note that at this time our Trust & Safety team only reviews live campaigns for Product Stages.
What if I am not approved for my requested Product Stage?
If you were not approved for the Product Stage you chose, this likely means that the documentation on your campaign page is insufficient and does not meet our required thresholds. We will ask you via email to update your page with specific information. After making your changes, you may resubmit your campaign again for another review.