Crowdfund Salaries

[DesperateOne]

So the funding will go directly to companies to speed up the process? I thought it was going to be something like hiring an overseas cheap company and conduct and perform trials really fast on techniques based on follica. Are we even allowed to do such a thing? Or are there too many patents for that. I don't think millions would be raised on something like this, people just don't want to give anything these days.

Also hellouser, so you do programming at your work? What language do you use.

[hellouser]

So the funding will go directly to companies to speed up the process? I thought it was going to be something like hiring an overseas cheap company and conduct and perform trials really fast on techniques based on follica. Are we even allowed to do such a thing? Or are there too many patents for that. I don't think millions would be raised on something like this, people just don't want to give anything these days.

Also hellouser, so you do programming at your work? What language do you use.

Starting a biotech was suggested by someone else, I don't know how/why some of you think this is our plan. Its not even feasible; would require pre-clinical, phase 1, 2 and then 3, hired scientists, a team, lab, etc. Not going to happen. We need to focus on whats already in the works and get it out the door in quick time.

I'm not a programmer... well, not really, I went back to school not too long ago for web development; html, css, php & javascript. However, my bread and butter is still graphic design/photography/marketing. I've been in the creative field for about 10+ years, so I've done my share in doing all the grunt work for these kind of projects.

Follica's technique should already and easily be replicated by us right now anyway; dermabrasion + FGF-9 injection via diabetic needle in saline solution. However I've already pointed out elsewhere that we'd need 1 or more willing candidates to experiment with this route and have them supplied with FGF-9... slight problem is that FGF-9 is quite expensive.

Axel has suggested though using some of the funds for our own community trials, perhaps the money COULD be used for those initiatives, however I wouldnt want to run into any legal problems with authorities giving us hell about such a venture.

[DesperateOne]

Starting a biotech was suggested by someone else, I don't know how/why some of you think this is our plan. Its not even feasible; would require pre-clinical, phase 1, 2 and then 3, hired scientists, a team, lab, etc. Not going to happen. We need to focus on whats already in the works and get it out the door in quick time.

I'm not a programmer... well, not really, I went back to school not too long ago for web development; html, css, php & javascript. However, my bread and butter is still graphic design/photography/marketing. I've been in the creative field for about 10+ years, so I've done my share in doing all the grunt work for these kind of projects.

Follica's technique should already and easily be replicated by us right now anyway; dermabrasion + FGF-9 injection via diabetic needle in saline solution. However I've already pointed out elsewhere that we'd need 1 or more willing candidates to experiment with this route and have them supplied with FGF-9... slight problem is that FGF-9 is quite expensive.

Axel has suggested though using some of the funds for our own community trials, perhaps the money COULD be used for those initiatives, however I wouldnt want to run into any legal problems with authorities giving us hell about such a venture.

I see, that does make more sense now. I also took a web design purse and learned some php and JavaScript and Wordpress about two years ago. I had to stop because of some stupid politics in my life, but I am making a comeback now that I have an opportunity. Are you mentor me a bit hellouser? Maybe in graphic design or some other things, I just want to break in the business in some way. I know it's a long shot but I thought I would ask.

[NeedHairASAP]

I wasn't suggesting we "crowdfund a cure"

I was also not suggesting it would be easy, or could be start immediately.


I'm suggesting, we find some top researchers, who are maybe not finding the necessary grants, or are not being paid enough to incentivize them to work on a day by day basis-- and giving the money to go H.A.M.

There are some sharp guys on the forum who have really targeted the several questions left to be answered by researchers, we just need to narrow that list and find a consensus-- then find some person capable of running the experiments, and then we just need the money to do it--- and BAM we have effectively sped up an added onto, what was prior to, a given set of possibilities. A net addition from value added efforts.


If we could get them to say where the money would go (ex. to fund so and so experiments/papers/ etc) and we had them sign on contingently (based on if the money was raised etc.), then it could happen.


I just spent $75 on what will probably be snake oil....if we all did that, we could have some dough, even if it was just $1-2 per person.

[NeedHairASAP]

This is why I don't think it's going to work. This idea is all over the map. The current plan is basically just to ask for millions of dollars so it can be spent on an undecided or undiscovered treatment/cure or whatever, no one is going to donate to that especially considering the history of the hairloss world with unending snake oil after snake oil. Successful crowdfunding campaigns are always for clearly defined products or technology, most of which already have a prototype or patent. You're not going to raise anything by simply asking for bald people to donate to a "cure" without any idea what that cure is.

totally agree. we need not only a specific idea and plan-- but a TEAM of people that can make it happen.

Hellrouser, you are sharp individual and could probably run some stuff yourself I'm sure, but my opinion, being invovled in startups and venture capital, is to try to assemble a team that could really and truly execute whatever plan you decide on.

see my above post for suggestions and guidance in this.

[DesperateOne]

I wasn't suggesting we "crowdfund a cure"

I was also not suggesting it would be easy, or could be start immediately.


I'm suggesting, we find some top researchers, who are maybe not finding the necessary grants, or are not being paid enough to incentivize them to work on a day by day basis-- and giving the money to go H.A.M.

There are some sharp guys on the forum who have really targeted the several questions left to be answered by researchers, we just need to narrow that list and find a consensus-- then find some person capable of running the experiments, and then we just need the money to do it--- and BAM we have effectively sped up an added onto, what was prior to, a given set of possibilities. A net addition from value added efforts.


If we could get them to say where the money would go (ex. to fund so and so experiments/papers/ etc) and we had them sign on contingently (based on if the money was raised etc.), then it could happen.


I just spent $75 on what will probably be snake oil....if we all did that, we could have some dough, even if it was just $1-2 per person.

Yes there is some stuff we want answered, but wouldn't that involve stealing some patents? That is after all one of the issues Histogen had right? Even though they won, they got slowed down immensely. If anything we should contact that Dr. Lauster, he has original work that should not purge into any existing patents. We might need to find him, assuming he is not already dead lol. I am sure we can get a hold of some of those members from Germany, they have a forum over there which is pretty big as well.

[hellouser]

Yes there is some stuff we want answered, but wouldn't that involve stealing some patents? That is after all one of the issues Histogen had right? Even though they won, they got slowed down immensely. If anything we should contact that Dr. Lauster, he has original work that should not purge into any existing patents. We might need to find him, assuming he is not already dead lol. I am sure we can get a hold of some of those members from Germany, they have a forum over there which is pretty big as well.

Contacting Dr. Lauster should be done though, before we finalize on an idea. Since hes at the University of Berlin, his team is going to be government funded. Who knows how much cash he's got to play with to continue his work. The other problem is that we have no clue what he's been up to in the last three years since his success in the creation of artificial skin and hair. Those last three years is a LOT of time for him to have done something significant, but incredibly, he's been more hush about everything than even Follica. From what we last heard 3 years ago, clinical trials were already planned. So... 3 years have passed.... where's he at now?

His work is supposed to be part of the efforts in order to put an end on animal testing of products, hence the artificial skin, which, as far as I know, is supposed to be spearheded by the EU and force all the EU countries to stop all animal testing this year or some time soon. Which begs the question: how are biotechs and cosmetics companies supposed to do their tests now? Without Dr. Lausters work, they're kind of screwed.

Having said that, would it not be fair to assume Lauster's got funding from the EU as well?

In any case, I think Histogen and Lauster's work are my personal two top initiatives to fund, one which is a bandaid solution but a DAMN good one, and the other that is the holy grail and will put a complete end to our misery.

I think we need to all come together as a community and make some decisions together of where the funds SHOULD and roll with that. We, the hair loss community would know best, especially the cutting edge forum users since we're best informed.

[hellouser]

Hellrouser, you are sharp individual and could probably run some stuff yourself I'm sure, but my opinion, being invovled in startups and venture capital, is to try to assemble a team that could really and truly execute whatever plan you decide on.

see my above post for suggestions and guidance in this.

I don't wan't to make any decisions on impulse without all my bases covered with as much input from everyone I can possibly get. Axel is in on this too, so he's got some say as well. We've got a great looking logo already designed, name to go with it along with a website design as well.

I'm not worried about execution or the strategy as much as I am about others being NON-complacent. I know nobody is going to help us fight baldness, but its getting to the point where I'm having doubts about those who want a cure but are too lazy to put in a bit of effort into expediting a commercially available treatment. The passiveness of society is my biggest concern.... if the project is to fail, it will do so because nobody cares to actually cure baldness. And I've said this before, WE, the hair loss sufferers are to blame for the current state we are in for treatments. Brushing off the crowdfunding initiative will be a testament to that and would validate my stance. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[k3nk3n]

Since everyone is having different opinions on where the money would go, you guys think we should have a poll to decide?

[HairBane]

Since everyone is having different opinions on where the money would go, you guys think we should have a poll to decide?

That has the potential to go very wrong. "Open poll: which company should we give potentially millions of dollars to?", See the problem?

I think we could all come to an agreement without a poll. I like Hellouser's idea of Lauster and/or Histogen.

[hellouser]

That has the potential to go very wrong. "Open poll: which company should we give potentially millions of dollars to?", See the problem?

I think we could all come to an agreement without a poll. I like Hellouser's idea of Lauster and/or Histogen.

Well, we all need to decide somehow and figure out the best route for funding. I emailed Axel with a large update on things with some questions. He's got a pretty AWESOME idea on generating awareness that deviates a little from what has already been discussed. Eventually we'll make more things public.

[Desmond84]

Hellouser,

You can count on me brother. I'll definitely be supporting this movement financially and personally

It's a great idea and only better things can come out of it! Let me know if you need help with anything

[hellouser]

Hellouser,

You can count on me brother. I'll definitely be supporting this movement financially and personally

It's a great idea and only better things can come out of it! Let me know if you need help with anything

PERFECT! I was really hoping you'd be in on this, youre one of the few guys with a strong technical background on the topic of hair!

Thanks! I'll keep everyone here updated with progress!

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!!!!

[Henkeh91]

Sign me up guys!

[Sogeking]

Hellouser, have you considered financing Tsuji Lab?
However it would be wise first to ask around if the legislation for the law to speed up stem cell based treatment trials in Japan has been approved.
Although they are still in preclinical trials. They haven't started testing on humans, last I heard.
Also haven't crowdfunded anything yet but if you guys go for it, I will gladly donate. I trust you guys more than doctor out there.
As for the Histogen I am worried about two things: safety and efficacy.