GISMA Student Launches a Crowdfunding Campaign
GISMA continuously endeavours to produce future leaders who are innovative and socially conscious. A current student at the business school, Philipp Kleinheinz has made significant efforts in ensuring that farmers producing olive oil in Greece are paid fairly for their hard work.
Philipp started crowdfunding supported by Maximilian and Clara to help farmers who produce high quality olive oil, get paid fairly for their work. The initiative was novel and rooted in ethical concerns as farmers often get neglected in long supply chains and paid less than what they deserve.
Read on to find out more about the crowdfunding drive and the man who kick-started this project.
Role of GISMA
Philipp joined GISMA in September 2020 and is currently studying MSc Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship which is awarded by Grenoble Ecole de Management. The course dramatically helped Philipp in identifying and developing qualities that sparked the idea of helping farmers.
Originally from Germany, Philipp enjoys studying at GISMA School which kindled his entrepreneurial spirit and taught him managerial creativity along with the necessary skill of project management. During the course, he also learned ethical and compliant ways of managing financial constraints which motivated him to progress with the idea of crowdfunding.
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The campaign
The platform of crowdfunding has been utilised by several organisations, big and small as it creates one convenient place where people can donate. This makes supporting a cause easier and Philipp has always been keen on the idea.
Maximilian is a friend of Philipp, during his summer internship in Greece, Maximilian met another German native Michael who had been a Greek citizen for a long time. Michael helped the duo connect with the farmers from whom they now buy oil.
The next and most important step was marketing the idea to the masses. This required a marketing plan that captivated the audience and convinced them to support this great cause. Initially, Philipp and his friends had no clue about the direction their marketing plan would take and the results it would bring, but they quickly achieved success.
The team used Instagram to reach out to people and told their story through rich and interesting content. The goal of the fundraiser was to bring customers the finest Greek oil directly from farmers. Through the money raised, Philipp and his friends could ensure fair payment to farmers who often get less than they deserve due to the long supply chains. The group also have plans to offer free shipping of olive oil canisters across Germany.
The success of Philipp’s fundraiser is greatly due to a good marketing strategy and the use of the perfect online platform. It sets a great example for those toying with the idea of starting a campaign or business.
It is important to feel passionate about your idea so you remain motivated. Apart from a firm belief in your fundraiser, you need to have a robust marketing plan with carefully curated content. Additionally, you should consistently and effectively articulate your goals and the passion that drives your cause through suitable platforms.
Launching a campaign
If you are planning to set-up a fundraising campaign then there are some crucial steps:
- Well-defined goal– The goal of the fundraiser has to be defined because financial goals and marketing goals revolve around it. It is a good idea to keep your investment minimum while ensuring all the campaign requirements are met. A large budget, which in the end, doesn’t meet the required result will be a blow to the campaign.
- Strong marketing plan– Marketing is what will catapult your campaign to success and hence requires your full attention. Take your time creating a strategy that will generate the required result. Research your audience and brainstorm on the best ways to connect with them. Look up platforms that work best for the purpose and create content accordingly. Networking, local newspaper, radio, social media and various other mediums can be used to create the right buzz around your crowdfunding.
- Communicate clearly– Often fundraisers are used to support a specific group, cause or even person. If done well, a fundraiser can develop into a start-up that grows over time. This requires getting the right people involved in the project, which is possible only when you can articulate your goals clearly. The content that you share must resonate with people and strike a chord with them. People are more likely to show their support to an earnest effort that genuinely invokes their interest. Showcase your plans with the fundraiser and revert to those who connect with you, religiously.
- Research well– There are many fundraiser campaigns doing remarkably well and to give your idea the right push, research thoroughly. Study these campaigns to see how you can learn from their mistakes and achievements. This will help you make the right directions with your own campaign and save you from repeating others’ mistakes.
The future of Philipp’s campaign
The fundraiser started by Philipp and supported by Maximilian and Clara have been a huge success so far. The group originally aimed to achieve a target of 5,000 euros and have raised 6,730 euros. They developed a delivery system within Berlin through DHL to acquire the oils from the farmers, which was delivered all over Berlin via cargo bikes.
Based on the positive feedback received from the farmer and customers, the group have scheduled another delivery for next year’s harvest. With this next plan of action, Philipp is open and optimistic about the future and willing to explore growth possibilities. His education at GISMA has helped him build the expertise that has brought him so far and he is excited about the journey ahead.
