Rooftop tent designer raises US$2m in crowdfunding cash

March 29, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The maker of a clever rooftop tent for adventure motorists has raised in a matter of days US$2.1 million from global crowdfunding site Kickstarter.

US-based iKamper company wanted to expand on its invention and went to Kickstarter seeking US$100,000. Two weeks into its funding appeal it broke through US$2m.

Skycamp is the latest rooftop tent from iKamper, the company set up by Korean-American Soon Park after a road trip with his wife and two daughters across the US, from their home in Boston to Los Angeles.

The journey was inspired by the freewheeling prose of US author Jack Kerouac’s 1957 book On The Road, the hallmark of the so-called Beat Generation.

Park said he became fascinated by outdoor camping options for people on the move and developed his first tent in 2014.

Others followed. But Skycamp is the model attracting international interest as Park sets out to make iKamper a global brand.

“iKamper roof top tents are my little tree house dreams come true,” said Park. “Anyone who has read Mary Osborne’s Magic Tree House series dreams of having his or her own tree house that takes them to a mysterious land.

“The idea of having my own private room that takes me to all mysterious lands and unrevealed places fascinates me even now.”

Skycamp is an expandable hard-shell tent that can be mounted on vehicles with suitable roof-racks. Its floors – main and extension – are aluminium honeycomb panels.

It sleeps a family of four and can be used in all weather. Bedding, including sleeping bags, blankets and pillows can also be left in the Skycamp when it is closed. Accessories include an awning and annexe.

Skycamp is listed on ikamper.com at US$2950, but the company is offering a pre-order price of US$2050 – a US$900 discount – until April 13.

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