Blog Post
What Happens After You Go Viral?
The Hidden Logistics Behind Kickstarter Succes
Every creator dreams of launching a hit crowdfunding campaign, a breakout success that blows past its target, earns global attention, and turns an idea into reality. But what happens after the campaign ends is often the hardest part of the journey.
Fulfilment, the process of getting those thousands of promised rewards into the hands of backers is where many great campaigns stumble. Managing production, packaging, customs, and international shipping can quickly overwhelm even the most organised teams.
That’s why the real measure of a successful crowdfunding campaign isn’t just how much money it raises, it’s how well it delivers.
The New Era of Crowdfunding Logistics
Over the past decade, crowdfunding has matured into a global ecosystem connecting creators and consumers directly. But as campaigns have grown more ambitious, their logistical demands have become far more complex.
Today’s creators aren’t just shipping a few prototypes, they’re running international microbrands with thousands of customers, regional warehouses, and detailed supply chains. For campaigns that scale fast, choosing the right fulfilment partner is now as essential as choosing the right manufacturer.
RedSky Europe, a 3PL fulfilment provider based in Ireland, has built a reputation as one of the few logistics companies that truly understands this world. From premium collectibles to precision tools and tech hardware, RedSky has helped creators navigate the transition from Kickstarter excitement to successful global delivery.
Heroic Replicas: Responsive Scaling
When a crowdfunding campaign exceeds expectations, the real challenge begins: delivering thousands of backer rewards accurately, efficiently, and across multiple regions.
Heroic Replicas faced this head-on with their Deep Rock Galactic Plush Creatures + Essential Gear campaign, which raised over $629,000 more than nine times its original goal.
Each order included multiple large, intricate components, creating a complex logistics challenge for European backers. To meet this demand, Heroic Replicas partnered with RedSky Europe, which coordinated warehousing, inventory management, pick-and-pack operations, and secure, tracked shipping from its Irish fulfilment centre across the EU and UK.
The collaboration ensured a smooth, scalable delivery process, preserving trust and excitement among thousands of backers, while allowing the creators to focus on what they do best: crafting high-quality, engaging products.
Reekon Tools: From Maker Dream to Global Shipping
Heroic Replicas isn’t alone in its success. Another standout example is Reekon Tools, the company behind the M1 Caliber and T1 Tomahawk digital measuring tools. These projects went viral among makers, woodworkers, and engineers for their precision and design.
Reekon’s campaigns redefined what backers expect from hardware innovation. But high-tech tools come with complex shipping requirements, batteries, precise components, and sensitive packaging. Fulfilling thousands of backer rewards across multiple continents required the same attention to detail that went into designing the products themselves.
RedSky Europe managed Reekon’s European fulfilment, ensuring backers across dozens of countries received their products with minimal customs issues or delays. By leveraging its experience with crowdfunding compliance, VAT management, and cross-border logistics, RedSky provided Reekon with something every creator dreams of: peace of mind after the campaign closes.
That reliability helped Reekon scale from a successful Kickstarter to a global brand stocked in major hardware stores
Wonder Machines: Building Creativity Across Borders
Wonder Machines, renowned for their innovative kinetic sculptures like Slow Dance, faced the challenge of fulfilling a highly successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over $500,000 on Kickstarter.
To meet the demand and ensure timely delivery, they partnered with RedSky Europe, a trusted logistics provider specializing in crowdfunding fulfilment. From their Irish warehouse, RedSky Europe managed warehousing, inventory, pick-and-pack operations, and secure, tracked shipping across the EU and UK.
This collaboration enabled Wonder Machines to maintain a seamless backer experience, ensuring that each order was delivered accurately and efficiently, reinforcing their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Why Ireland Is a Crowdfunding Fulfilment Hub
Location plays a major role in RedSky’s effectiveness. Operating from Ireland gives the company a unique advantage: easy access to both EU and UK markets, fast shipping lanes, and simplified customs handling for transatlantic campaigns.
For creators in the US and Canada partnering with an Irish fulfilment centre means cutting delivery times and avoiding the headaches of managing two separate fulfilment setups for the UK and EU.
It’s an increasingly popular strategy. As crowdfunding campaigns become more global, creators are realising that fulfilment can make or break their reputation
The Backbone of Kickstarter Success
Crowdfunding has always been about turning passion into tangible reality. But while funding campaigns gets the headlines, it’s fulfilment that determines whether backers come back for more.
For Heroic Replicas, Reekon Tools, and Wonder Machines, working with RedSky Europe meant turning rapid success into sustainable growth. Their stories show that the journey from campaign to doorstep is just as important as the campaign itself and that with the right logistics partner, creators can focus on what they do best: making something worth backing.
Let’s talk about how we can support your campaign. Book a Call with Redsky Europe Today
FAQ
What is a CrowdFunding 3PL?
A 3PL, or Third-Party Logistics provider, is a company that receives your inventory, processes your backer orders, and ships your backer rewards.
It is important that your 3pl has experience with crowdfunded projects with supporting operations and technology. For any crowd funding project, fulfilling the commitment you made to your backers is of upmost importance
Do I need a 3PL to ship my crowdfunding rewards?
Yes, if you are shipping more than a hand full of units, you need an experienced company that can organise your inventory and fulfil your obligations to your backers.
A 3PL can save you time, money, and stress. We help creators ship to backers around the world without having to manage a warehouse or shipping operation
When should I start planning fulfilment?
The earlier you plan your fulfilment, the better your campaign outcome will be. Ideally, you should start thinking about logistics before your campaign ends, or even before it launches. Early planning helps you avoid delays, ensure smoother operations, and get a clear picture of your shipping costs. It also allows you to account for important factors like taxes, VAT, import timelines, and packaging expenses. These costs can add up quickly, so understanding them upfront means you can price your product appropriately and protect your profit margins.
Can Redsky ship globally?
Yes. Redsky Europe ships to backers in the UK, EU, US, and globally
How much does fulfilment cost?
Fulfilment costs vary based on your product size, order volume, and shipping destinations. We’ll work with you to create a custom quote that fits your campaign’s needs and budget.
As a rough guide, you can expect a 1kg order shipped from Redsky Europe to reach most European destinations in 3–5 days for around €8–€12
Can you handle special packaging or custom kits?
Absolutely, We provide tailored kitting solutions, including branded packaging, barcoding, and assembly of complex bundles. Whether you’re managing stretch goals, tiered reward levels, or unique add-ons, we ensure every backer gets exactly what they pledged for
Where is your warehouse located?
Our fulfilment centres are based in Ireland, which allows us to ship smoothly across the UK, EU, and beyond while managing VAT and customs compliance for your brand.
Can you also handle retail or ecommerce orders?
Yes. Once your campaign is fulfilled, we can continue to ship ongoing ecommerce orders and bulk shipments to retail partners, all from the same inventory.
Can I view my inventory and my order status?
Our online dashboard gives campaign owners full visibility and control in real time. Track inventory levels, monitor active orders, and make updates on the fly
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