Express Crowdfunding

This article explains the differences in simple terms. 

Express crowdfunding is a way to run a campaign on Gamefound. It exists for creators who want confirmed orders faster, without long waiting times or order editing.  

It still counts as crowdfunding, but the structure and expectations differ from those of a regular campaign. 

In this article

Regular Crowdfunding in short


In a regular crowdfunding campaign: 

  • backers place orders first and pay later, or pay at checkout if they choose instant payment 
  • a creator receives funds after the campaign reaches its goal 
  • orders stay editable before the final charge 
  • shipping fees and delivery addresses come later, but regular crowdfunding also supports a setting to collect them 
  • a campaign usually moves into a Late Pledge or Pledge Manager phase afterward 

Regular crowdfunding supports large launches, marketing pushes, stretch goals, and long-term community building

Express Crowdfunding: what changes

Express crowdfunding focuses on confirmed orders and instant payment. It is not a “lighter” version of crowdfunding. It is a separate campaign mode with its own structure.

Key points for express campaigns

  • Instant payment

    Backers pay at checkout. The creator receives funds from confirmed orders during the campaign.

    Payment options include instant payments and Stretch Pay installments.

  • No order editing

    Backers can't edit orders after checkout.

    If a backer uses installments, the order isn't paid in full right away. The creator receives the full payment only after the last installment.

    Shipping starts only after the order is fully paid.

    Backers can place another order only after they fully pay for previous orders.

  • Address and shipping collected immediately

    The platform asks for a delivery address and charges shipping at checkout. The creator controls the configuration.

    Address and shipping are on by default.

  • Faster payouts

    Payouts start during the campaign.

    During the draft stage, creators complete a basic onboarding process.

    A strong onboarding process applies and is required before payouts start.

  • Campaign starting point

    Each campaign starts as a draft. After the creator publishes the draft, they decide whether the campaign runs as regular crowdfunding or express crowdfunding.

  • Follow-up stage after the express phase

    After the express phase, the campaign continues in a Pledge Manager phase.

    Order editing stays disabled by default. The creator can request to enable order editing.

    When enabled, the Pledge Manager works the same way it does today.

What this means for backers

Table 1. Regular and Express Crowdfunding comparison

Element Regular Crowdfunding Express Crowdfunding
Payment at the end at checkout
Order editing yes no
Shipping fees later at checkout
Address collection later at checkout
Campaign goal required N/A
Products now + later creator dependent supported in one order
Payouts to a creator after the campaign during the campaign
Stretch goals yes yes
Backer number assigned yes yes
Order cancellation by backer yes no
Refunds handled by the creator after the campaign handled by the creator, same as in Late Pledge or Pledge Manager

What this means for creators

Express crowdfunding works like a combination of crowdfunding and a fast Late Pledge flow.


The creator gets:

  • confirmed orders at checkout.
  • faster funds after the onboarding process verification.
  • no manual order edits from backers.
  • the option to sell in-stock products and future products together.
  • control over shipping configuration from the start.

Important: If the creator cancels an Express Crowdfunding campaign, they handle refunds according to their own policies.

When to choose Express Crowdfunding

Use Express Croudfunding if the project:

  • is ready to sell or almost ready.
  • needs immediate confirmation and payment.
  • does not depend on order editing.
  • does not need a campaign goal to validate demand.
  • benefits from a fast launch.

Choose regular crowdfunding if the project:

  • needs a visible goal and a large promotional push.
  • depends on editable orders.
  • plans to collect addresses and shipping later.

One sentence summary

Express crowdfunding collects full payment and shipping at checkout, confirms orders immediately, removes order editing, and starts creator payouts right away.

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