Why was crowdfunding for early-stage creative projects not a meaningful method of finance before the commercialization of the internet? First, matching funders with creators is now more efficient and effective due to lower search costs online. Second, risk exposure is reduced because funding in small increments is economically fea- sible online. Finally, low communication costs facilitate better (though far from perfect) information gathering and progress monitoring for distant funders and also better enable funders to participate in the development of the idea