Inventions You'll Want To Help Crowd-Fund

Crowdfunding has become one of the quickest and coolest ways for entrepreneurs and inventors to financially back their projects. Not only are they receiving funding to get their ideas off the ground, but it's a great way to tell if the public is actually interested in those ideas in the first place. So let's take a look at 10 of the coolest inventions on Kickstarter right now — in my opinion at least — because it's always worth celebrating innovation.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Build your dream or spend your life helping someone build theirs." Well, since I'm in that quarter-life crisis, recently graduated college stage of not exactly knowing what my dream is, I'm going to go ahead and take that advice and help crowdfund some other people's dreams. I mean, when it comes down to it, my dream is probably to have a happy, easy life, and these inventions will all help me reach that goal. A mini GPS device that will keep me from losing my keys and a plant pot that will let me know when my plant is thirsty will do nothing but make my life easier — and don't even get me started on the idea of making a Bill Nye documentary.

If you, too, would like to help someone else achieve their dreams while you sort out what your own dreams are, here are some pretty awesome things you can help fund right now. Come on — you know you want a tiny, miniature sun of your own.

1. Biom

Finally, something for those of us who've only ever had a pet rock because we can't keep a living creature alive! The Biom flower pot basically talks to you and tells your when you're being a bad plant parent. The light sensor tells you when your plant needs more water, light, fertilizer, or a change of temperature.

2. Probot

The Probot chills your drinks — up to a six-pack — in less than five minutes. I really don't know if this needs further explanation of why it's awesome. Oh, wait, it's also a phone charger. Heck yes.

3. DrinkMate

Is it bad to admit I've asked out loud if this invention existed before? It's a personal breathalyzer. Because when you drink heavily enough to be unsure whether you're drunk or not, safety comes first.

4. The Model 01

The company Keboardio has come up with a keyboard designed according to the way we hold and use our hands when we type. As the video puts it, "A musician isn't like, I'll just take the plastic guitar off of the shelf. It'll be fine, when I'm staking my entire career and professional everything on this." So why are we still using the same keyboard design as the original keyboard? I'm on board with this one (no pun intended). This invention has already raised almost three times its original goal.

5. TrackerPad

The TrackerPad is a tiny tracking device you can stick to your necessities, making it the perfect invention for people like me who lose their keys, credit cards, and TV remote on a daily basis. Also, do you think they have one I can stick on my dignity?

6. Weather Point 2.0

Your own personal weather station that links to an app on your phone? Yes please! At first I was thinking, "OK, but, if I'm already outside, couldn't my eyes and skin be my own personal weather station?" However, this nifty device also tells you atmospheric pressure, altitude, and radiation levels. I don't know about you, but my eyes and skin certainly can't do that.

7. NeverSnooze Alarm Clock

I honestly cannot tell if I love or hate this invention: It's a two-piece alarm clock wherein the part that wakes you up in the morning doesn't turn off until you put the two pieces together. The idea is to put the second piece wherever you like to start your day — the bathroom, kitchen, treadmill, etc. — so you'll automatically start your waking-up process as soon as you get out of bed. Not going to lie: Due to the fact that the device is palm-sized and shaped like a ball, I kind of wonder how long I would be able to deal with it until I straight-up chuck it out my window. Still, though — it's like a Clocky and then some!

8. Relio

Advertised as, "your little personal sun," the Relio is a personal light for photographers that renders colors better. Judging from the Kickstarter campaign's success, it's definitely something photographers have been looking for; it has over 300 backers and has gone $20,000 over its initial goal.

9. Blinky.Shoes

I really hope I'm not the only one who's looked at a little kid's Dora The Explorer light-up velcro sneakers and felt a pang of jealousy. Well, Ultimate Celebration has combined LEDs and velcro and come up with a strip you can add to your shoes to make them a blinky sensation. Even cooler? The lights react to your movements. This is probably one of those things I'd buy for myself drunk online at 3 a.m. and then be too chicken to ever actually use.

10. The Bill Nye Film

This one isn't technically an invention, but it's probably my favorite thing on Kickstarter right now: Filmmakers David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg are raising money to try to make a Bill Nye documentary. Who wouldn't watch this film?

Dream on, inventors. Dream On.

Image: Keyboardio/Kickstarter