1 of 2 | Homepage of first-flight.sony.com. The crowdfunding platform is only available to customers in Japan.
TOKYO, July 1 (UPI) -- Sony has launched its own crowdfunding platform to financially support unique ideas and products which would otherwise not fit in with its mainstream merchandise.
First Flight is part of Sony's ongoing efforts to promote new business ventures and offset expenses as it attempts to regain profitable footing, ARS says. The Kickstarter-esque site gives company employees the opportunity to look directly to potential customers for financing rather than corporate investors.
The site already has two innovative products available for pre-order: the MESH Smart DIY kit and the FES e-ink watch. These two were funded by the public using third-party crowdfunding sites Makuake.com and Indiegogo.com.
A third proto-product, a universal remote called the HUIS Remote Controller, finds its first home at First Flight and has already raised 20 percent of its goal (about $40,820 according to The Verge) on the site.
Contributors familiar with crowdfunding sites would notice First Flight's similarities with Kickstarter. New projects have a informational front page that explains the creators' goal in detail, including videos, links and photos. A notable feature of FF, though, is its "Episodes" section, which allows supporters to follow the status of projects as they get stronger.
"First Flight is intended to deliver experiences that move people emotionally through innovation. It will enable each start-up and their customers to share their ideas and inspiration, and then jointly bring those ideas to fruition through direct and interactive communication," Sony said in a statement, according to TechCrunch.
For now, First Flight is available in Japan only. There is no word yet on whether Sony will expand First Flight for international use.