Has anyone successfully used sponsorship or crowdfunding?

Sponsorship and crowdfunding can be viable alternatives to traditional funding paths, but they require a deep understanding of your project's value proposition and a strong connection with your user base. Kagi's success with crowdfunding is a great example, as it has built a loyal community around its search engine. To replicate this success, focus on delivering exceptional value to your users and fostering a sense of ownership among them.