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Kickstarter makes its way to the U.K.

The service, a runaway success in the U.S., is starting up across the pond with nearly 200 U.K.-specific projects.

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Don Reisinger
Former CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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Don Reisinger
One of Kickstarter's most popular projects, Ouya.
One of Kickstarter's most popular projects, Ouya. Ouya

Kickstarter, the site that lets budding entrepreneurs throw their ideas into the ring and raise money via crowdsourcing, is now available in the U.K.

Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler announced the launch yesterday to the BBC, saying that the U.S.-based service had raised over $340 million for projects. So far, there are about 200 projects specifically designed for U.K. audiences on the site. If the U.S. success is the guide, that number will increase quickly.

Kickstarter launched in 2009 and has grown rapidly in popularity. Over 70,000 projects have been pitched on Kickstarter. One of its biggest success stories so far: earlier this year, indie game console hopeful Ouya raised more than $8.5 million, despite asking for $950,000.

Looking ahead, it's possible that Kickstarter will head elsewhere. Strickler told the BBC that Kickstarter will "see how the U.K. launch goes and figure out the next moves from there."