One remarkable adventure that gained traction through crowdfunding is Thor Pedersen’s decade-long expedition to explore every country on the planet, all while avoiding flights—making him the first individual to accomplish this feat. The Danish traveler will soon release a book titled Once Upon a Saga, documenting his incredible journey.
Initially supported by Ross Energy, Pedersen faced an unexpected setback when the company withdrew its sponsorship midway through his travels. This prompted him to tap into personal savings, take out loans, and sell belongings to sustain his endeavor. By late 2017, he turned to his followers for assistance through crowdfunding. Though he aimed for $50,000, he successfully raised $20,752, which enabled him to continue his travels. He primarily utilized Indiegogo but also accepted donations via MobilePay, PayPal, and Patreon. While the funds were essentially "free," Pedersen invested significant effort into promoting his campaign, which he found somewhat humbling. Additionally, in Denmark, he had to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of Justice and paying an annual fee. Despite these challenges, Pedersen expressed deep gratitude for the backing that allowed him to return home debt-free after visiting 203 countries.
Similarly, Jessica Nabongo, an American with Ugandan roots, encountered financial obstacles while trying to visit every country. A friend’s suggestion led her to launch a crowdfunding campaign, which took her by surprise when it attracted interest. Through her GoFundMe campaign, she raised over $16,000 from more than 200 contributors, along with additional support via Venmo and Zelle. This funding enabled her to complete her ambitious quest and achieve the distinction of being the first Black woman to gather passport stamps from every nation.
Nabongo’s experience with crowdfunding was a mix of inspiration and challenge. While she was touched by the generosity of her supporters, she also faced negativity from online critics. Comments on her campaign ranged from dismissive to harsh. Nonetheless, she persevered, and her efforts culminated in National Geographic publishing her book, The Catch Me If You Can, which features essays from her travels to 100 countries. Presently, she is working on a second book. Nabongo reflected on how her journey and the obstacles she faced ultimately shaped her success: “If I had let negativity derail me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
In her book, she expressed gratitude to her donors and highlighted how crowdfunding can empower anyone to support travel ambitions, reinforcing that every contribution counts, no matter how small.