Crowdfunding...you need to know what this can offer!

Crowdfunding (google it, and at least check out what wikipedia says about it) has been around for a while, more commonly known as a way to raise capital for musicians, disaster relief, and other charities.  But crowdfunding can successfully be used to raise capital for a high-tech startup as well.  A company I'm currently working with recently raised over $24k this way!  And their goal was $20k.  They did this through IndieGoGo.  But wait, there's more to this.  Not only did they get $24k and kept 100% of their equity, they now have hundreds of eager consumers, who contributed small amounts of money (for a T-shirt, or a mock-up prototype, etc.), just waiting for their product, and giving them early feedback on design features, etc.  Pinch me...am I dreaming?  No losers found here.