Financing Expansion via Crowd Funding

In the heart of Switzerland, a new cultural beacon is emerging from the ashes of a closed publication. Tsueri's case study, part of CORRECTIV.StartHub, a resource for community-centered media projects, has taken the initiative to fill the void left by the discontinuation of Zurich Tip's monthly culture magazine, which happened in September 2024.

The team behind Tsueri, led by founder Simon Jacoby, was able to react swiftly due to their experience with crowdfunding in recent years. Within days of Zurich Tip's closure, they launched a new culture newsletter, Tsüri-Tipp.

The crowdfunding campaign for Tsüri-Tipp was initiated with an initial target of 40,000 francs, later increased to 50,000 francs. The response was overwhelming, as more than 100 cultural institutions publicly called for the closure of Zurich Tips and voluntarily shared the crowdfunding project of Tsüri-Tipp in an open declaration.

Tsueri swiftly set up the crowdfunding tool, landing page, and newsletters to facilitate the campaign. Unconventional methods were used for social media content, such as a poster truck with crowdfunding advertising.

Simon Jacoby, a strong advocate for transparency, stated that projects have been ended due to lack of funding. He emphasised that Tsueri's funding is openly disclosed, ensuring accountability and trust.

The crowdfunding campaign reached its first funding target within five days, demonstrating the community's support for Tsüri-Tipp. Other Tsueri projects have been transitioned to the normal budget through increasing advertising revenue or membership growth.

For those interested in community-centered media startups, subscription to the StartHub newsletter is available. The Community Journalism Wiki offers methods, templates, and best practice examples for such initiatives.

In a time of change, Tsueri is demonstrating the power of community and the resilience of independent media. With Tsüri-Tipp, they are providing a platform for cultural discourse, ensuring that the voices of Zurich's cultural institutions continue to be heard.