#sniffr

Sniffr is an online crowdfunding platform serving as a launching pad for aspiring designers. Over the years, the company saw the rise of emerging young designers and talented individuals in the industry who are lacking of experience, financial support and connections to further develop their designs. Thus, their mission is to bring out the entrepreneur spirit in local designers by developing and showcasing their products in the market which give consumers an opportunity to support invention from local designers.

They aim to:

– Sniff out and nurture potential local designers

– Fulfil designer’s dream by making their design a reality

– Raise awareness of product design in Singapore

– Make designer’s products affordable

In the interview with Andy Lai, CEO and Founder of Sniffr, he shared that Sniffr is the first design-centric crowdfunding platform where particularly local designers or anyone who likes designing can seek out for funding opportunities which can turn their designing dreams into reality.

Mr Lai also shared that the motivation of this idea is to help people (designers and consumers) create value in their life where it is a win-win situation for all through the enrichment of creativity and the accessibility to good and affordable products. He stated that while there is a market for designing, young designers still face a lot of challenges in penetrating the market as there is no platform that bridges creators and funders. Thus, Sniffr aims to close this gap by bringing designers and consumers together where both parties can be benefitted through the platform.

Mr Lai mentioned that the main differentiation between Sniffr and other crowdfunding sites is the providence of professional mentorship and personal involvement in the products and projects that they are engaged in. On the other hand, besides finding consumers, Sniffr is also a platform for designers to get in touch with good manufacturers who support this creative initiative.

Besides bridging people through their online platform, Sniffr also organize events such as the “Possibilities: Make Design Your Future” which is held every half-yearly where prominent and young designers share and exchange their ideas and aspirations to funders and consumers. This event also generates opportunities where it allows designers of different levels to exchange ideas and collaborate to create more innovative works.

When asked about his plan and expectation for Sniffr, Mr Lai hoped that at the end of 5 years, Sniffr will be able to connect designers and consumers in the Asia pacific level and not just the local market. This is a big plan that would stimulate the design culture in Asia pacific where anybody in the region can have access to good and affordable design product, a win-win for all.

Click on the above video for the full interview.

____________