RocketHub was an online crowdfunding platform launched in 2010, its first use was September 1, 2009. Based in New York City, its users included musicians,[1] entrepreneurs,[2] scientists,[3][4][5] game developers,[6][7] philanthropists,[8] filmmakers,[9] photographers,[10] theatre producers/directors,[11][12] writers,[13] and fashion designers.[14][15] Users posted fundraising campaigns to it to raise funds and awareness for projects and endeavors. Operating in over 190 countries, RocketHub was once considered one of America's largest crowdfunding platforms.[16]
History
Incorporated in 2009, the platform launched by January 2012.[17] The original founders of RocketHub were Brian Meece, Jed Cohen, Alon Hillel-Tuch, and Vladimir Vukicevic. Bill Clinton and Bill Gates selected it as part of their guest-edited Ways to Change the World edition of Wired Magazine.[18]
RocketHub was the first crowdfunding platform to partner with network television,[19] “We believe we’re the first broadcast network to start an initiative using crowdfunding to help people grow their business ideas,” Dr. Libby H. O’Connell, SVP of Corporate Outreach for A&E Networks.[20]
RocketHub engaged in a partnership with marketing agency Wieden+Kennedy and Chrysler's Dodge Dart in 2013 allowing users to crowdfund the purchase of a car. It was featured at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, the campaign video became a Cannes Bronze Film Lion winner.[21]
On April 15, 2015, RocketHub was acquired by EFactor Group, an online resource center for entrepreneurs. The acquisition deal was valued at US$15M.
In 2018, eFactor Group shut down the RocketHub brand.
In 2022, RocketHub.com domain was acquired by Charlie Patel, CEO of the newly formed RocketHub LLC.[22] It launched as a platform for SaaS (software-as-a-service) products, WordPress plugins, and informational products. The new RocketHub entity and brand is not associated with any of the prior entities or individuals.
Crowdfunding
RocketHub enabled direct-to-fansocial media-based outreach and fundraising. Project leaders, i.e., fundraisers, publicize campaigns themselves through Facebook, Twitter and similar platforms. When posting a campaign, users chose a campaign deadline, target funding-goal, and offered “perks” in exchange for contributions.[23] Broadly, RocketHub shared similarities with platforms such as Kickstarter, Sellaband, and Pledgemusic,[24] however if the selected funding target is not reached by the deadline, the project leader was still able to keep the collected funds. RocketHub charged 4% of funds collected, plus 4% payment processing fees, if the project is fully funded, and 8% plus 4% payment processing fees if the project does not reach its goal.[25]
On June 26, 2012, Rockethub testified before Congress regarding the JOBS Act, presenting three points. They included how crowdfunding democratizes fundraising; how it will lead to job growth; and how it empowers investors.[28]
Partnerships
RocketHub had partnered with organizations in order to educate the public about the emerging field of crowdfunding:
^Davis, Paul./projects/656-help-paul-davis-fund-his-next-collection/ "RocketHub - Help Paul Davis Fund His Next Collection!!!"], November 22, 2010, accessed August 30, 2012.