Notifications

Kickstarter

Kickstarter reviews

Mixed bag - Anonymous employee Kickstarter Employee Review

3.0

Jul 1, 2023

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Kickstarter has a bunch of pros going for it. With only 100 employees, it's way more agile than a huge tech giant. And considering they've been around for over a decade, it's pretty mind-blowing how much impact they've had as a small company. Lots of employees really love what they do, and have strong connections to the industries they support. They even offer an awesome 4-day work week and the option to work remotely. Plus, they've built up a strong brand reputation over the years and are leading the pack in the crowdfunding world, while competitors struggle. They're also actively working on fixing neglected product features, which is a major plus. And compared to the dysfunctional leadership of the past few years, the company's priorities are finally clear.

Cons

Kickstarter has a bunch of cons, too. Despite being around for 14+ years, they still try to run some things like a startup with their 100-employee team. It's kinda deceptive how they externally position themselves as an artsy and creative company when 70% of their revenue actually comes from games and tech gadgets (you can find that publicly). I won’t make comments on their current revenue, but what do you think happens if there's a recession, especially when their business relies so heavily on board games and tech toys? Also, fraud is just an expected thing that happens on the platform. Just look at app reviews and social media comments from upset customers for proof. The new CEO is causing quite a stir (both good and bad), but it often feels like he's more interested in building his personal brand. He's constantly jetting off for public speaking gigs, panels, and interviews. My gut tells me he'll jump ship in 18 months for something bigger and better? Some other not-so-great stuff..... They have an employee union, but people don't just form unions for fun. There are regular clashes between executives and employees over low pay and lack of promotions. It's pretty obvious that there's no proper manager training program in place. Some managers are amazing, but others, not so much. Earlier this year, there were a couple rounds of layoffs, but since the company is small, they didn't get any attention in the press. And while the 4-day work week is fantastic, executives like to dangle it over employees' heads, reminding them that it can be taken away at any time. At the same time, they use it as a selling point externally for recruiting and press, making it seem like this incredible business decision for employee retention and well-being.

Kickstarter Response

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We’re proud of the impact we’ve made over the years with past colleagues like yourself; we would not be here today without your contributions. We also genuinely appreciate your candid feedback about your past experiences we continue to evolve to better serve the creative community and make Kickstarter a great place to work. We are also happy to share that despite the recession, Kickstarter has been able to maintain and grow revenue YOY, and continues to pace in a positive direction. We want to acknowledge we understand and are focused on the opportunities to grow our management, leadership, and business practices to reinforce a positive culture and team accountability and success. We invite you to reach out to our People team to share more detailed feedback on your experience so we can learn more about how we can improve. We can be reached at peopleteam@kickstarter.com

Explore other reviews about Kickstarter

5.0

Apr 16, 2025

Anonymous

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I’ve really enjoyed working here and believe it’s a genuinely good company—especially for those who’ve joined in the last few years. Leadership is thoughtful, benefits are strong, and the mission still feels authentic. There’s space to grow, take ownership, and make an impact if you’re proactive. That said, the internal culture is being dragged down by a minority (the union) that resists change and refuses to take accountability. A lot of the toxicity comes from legacy employees who constantly complain but contribute very little. Unfortunately, the union culture can amplify this energy. It’s disappointing because many of the people who’ve joined more recently are energized and committed. But the influence of a few long-timers who seem to want the company to fail makes it harder for everyone else to enjoy the workplace. This company could thrive even more if it were willing to part ways with those who are no longer aligned. Until then, expect a mix of strong leadership and potential, weighed down by a group determined to stay stuck in the past.

Cons

The union dynamics, its a distraction for those of us who want to enjoy our work and be apart of something. The CBA limits salary increases.

Kickstarter Response

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re so glad to hear that you find our mission authentic and that you appreciate the thoughtfulness of our leadership team, our strong benefits, and the opportunities for growth and impact. It means a lot to us that you recognize the energy and commitment of our team and the progress we’re making together. We also appreciate your candid feedback about areas where we can continue to improve. We recognize that navigating change in any organization—especially one with a long history and deep roots—can come with challenges. We are committed to fostering a culture that supports collaboration, accountability, and open dialogue across all parts of the company. We believe that everyone plays an important role in shaping our culture and that constructive engagement, respect, and shared purpose help us move forward together. We continue to focus on strengthening communication, evolving our practices, and building an environment where every team member feels empowered to do their best work. We truly value your contributions and your perspective. Please feel free to reach out directly to peopleteam@kickstarter.com if you would like to continue the conversation or share additional feedback. Thank you again for being part of our community and for helping us grow stronger.

5.0

Mar 26, 2025

Software engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

- amazing mission - 60th percentile pay in tech - get to work remotely / flexible work schedule - four day work week (there’s cons too though) - empathetic engineering managers - inspiring CEO who actually gives a damn - industry leader, no one is even close - opportunity to solve interesting problems in the creator economy

Cons

- four day work week (it’s a pro and a con) which can impact productivity or just be exhausting - priorities can shift quickly which isn’t easy for some people - the union because it separates the company in my opinion - a little bit too much gossip and complaining at times - communication can improve at the management and leadership level at times to prevent blockers for engineering

Kickstarter Response

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re so glad to hear that you find our mission inspiring and that you appreciate our approach to flexibility, leadership, and engineering culture. It means a lot to us that you see the impact we’re making in the industry and enjoy the challenges of working in the creator economy. We appreciate your candid feedback about areas where we can improve. We recognize that the four-day workweek has both benefits and challenges, and we’re continually evaluating how it impacts productivity, team dynamics, and overall effectiveness. Prioritization and communication are ongoing areas of focus for us, and we’ll keep working to ensure teams have the clarity and support they need. We also hear your thoughts on the importance of in-person connection. To help foster collaboration and strengthen relationships across teams, we have monthly co-working days in NYC, which we encourage all team members to attend. We also highly encourage attendance to our annual company wide retreats to maximize in person time with your teammates! Regardless of where anyone sits—whether in management, on a team, or as part of the union—we are committed to fostering a unified, collaborative culture where everyone feels valued and heard. We believe that open dialogue and mutual respect make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive together. We truly value your contributions and your perspective, and we’re always open to feedback. Please feel free to reach out directly at peopleteam@kickstarter.com so that we can continue improving.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All

Kickstarter reviews Kickstarter review

Kickstarter

Mixed bag - Anonymous employee Kickstarter Employee Review

Explore other reviews about Kickstarter

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches