Experiment (website)

{{Short description|Science project crowdfunding platform}} {{Infobox website | name = Experiment | logo = Experiment (website) logo.svg | location_city = San Francisco | location_country = United States | screenshot = | url = [https://experiment.com experiment.com] | commercial = Yes | type = Crowdfunding | language = English | launch_date = 12 April 2012 }} '''Experiment''', formerly called '''Microryza''', is a US website for crowdfunding science-based research projects. Researchers can post their research projects to solicit pledges. Experiment works on the all-or-nothing funding model. The backers are only charged if the research projects reach their funding target during a set time frame. In February 2014, the site changed its name from Microryza to Experiment.com.

== History == It was founded in 2012 by Denny Luan and Cindy Wu, former University of Washington students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Science for the people: research funding revolutionized {{!}} Alumni |url=https://www.washington.edu/alumni/science-for-the-people-alums-revolutionize-how-research-is-funded/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |language=en}}</ref> The former name Microryza is inspired by Mycorrhizae and symbiotic fungi that lives in the roots of plants.

Unlike the popular crowdfunding site Kickstarter, backers of Experiment projects do not get tangible rewards for backing. Researchers share the scientific process directly with the backers and become a part of the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2012/frustrated-researchers-unveil-microryza-crowdfunding-site-science-projects/|title=Frustrated researchers unveil Microryza, a crowdfunding site for geeky science projects|date=April 13, 2012|website=GeekWire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/04/microryza-crowd-funding-science/|title=Microryza: Crowd Funding for Scientific Research|first1=Pradeep|last1=Ch|first2=rasekaran on 04/12/2012 16:39|last2=PDT|website=Ubergizmo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newatlas.com/microryza-crowd-funding-scientific-research/22147/|title=Microryza brings crowd-funding to scientific research|date=April 13, 2012|website=New Atlas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/02/05/experiment-com-gains-big-venture-backers-to-bring-crowdfunding-to-science-research/|title=Experiment.com Gains Big Venture Backers To Bring Crowdfunding To Science Research|first=Lizette|last=Chapman|date=February 5, 2014}}</ref>Additionally, all proposals are subject to review and approval by the site's staff, and any work involving human or animal subjects must by supported by an institutional review board.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reichel |first=Chloe |date=2018-04-25 |title=In bleak funding climate, academics turn to crowds to finance research |url=https://journalistsresource.org/education/crowdfunding-academic-research-kickstarter-experiment/ |access-date=2026-04-21 |website=The Journalist's Resource |language=en-US}}</ref>

Experiment charges 11-13% in fees (8% for platform fees and 3-5% for payment processing) only if the campaign is successful. If the campaign does not reach the funding goal, no one is charged.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://experiment.com/faq|title=Crowdfunding for Science | Frequently Asked Questions|website=Experiment - Moving Science Forward}}</ref>

As of Aug 7, 2015, more than 5,000 projects were launched and 336 of them were funded.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180106185737/http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/07/08/woman-raised-1-2-million-with-a-spirited-3-minute-speech/ Woman raised $1.2 million with a spirited 3-minute speech], The New York Times, Aug 7, 2015</ref>

As of Nov 20, 2019, more than 760 project were funded, raising nearly $8 million in pledges from more than 41,000 backers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210121061020/https://www.thebalancesmb.com/top-sites-for-crowdfunding-scientific-research-985238 The Best Platforms for Crowdfunding Science Research], Nov 20, 2019</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|https://experiment.com/}}

Category:Crowdfunding platforms of the United States Category:Crowdfunded science Category:Y Combinator companies Category:Internet properties established in 2012 Category:2012 establishments in California Category:Privately held companies based in San Francisco Category:Financial services companies established in 2012