- 01
Start with one clear goal
Name the single outcome your dream should reach and the date. Backers swipe through many dreams, so your first line must say what will exist when you are done.
- 02
Turn the goal into proof points
Every milestone needs something you can show: a receipt, a photo, a certificate or a link. Put the cheapest, fastest one first, because early proof brings the next Backer.
- 03
Publish and keep people updated
Publish your dream with a monthly membership. Share it with your own circle first, answer questions in chat and post proof as soon as each step is done.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a SaaS startup dream with a goal of CN¥170,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
CN¥34,000 · 20%
Define the customer workflow
Post a workflow map, interactive mockup and anonymised interview notes identifying the first problem the software addresses.
Milestone 2
CN¥68,000 · 40%
Develop the core service
Share a demo using sample accounts, a completed feature checklist and evidence that the main workflow runs from start to finish.
Milestone 3
CN¥34,000 · 20%
Test service reliability
Upload test summaries for account separation, error handling and recovery, with sensitive configuration details removed.
Milestone 4
CN¥34,000 · 20%
Prepare ongoing operations
Post onboarding documentation, monitoring examples and a support plan showing how reported problems will be recorded and handled.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a SaaS startup dream in Guangzhou, shown in CNY. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
CN¥170,000
- Core software developmentCN¥102,000 · 60%
- Hosting and infrastructureCN¥25,500 · 15%
- Reliability and security testingCN¥17,000 · 10%
- Onboarding and support reserveCN¥25,500 · 15%
What you receive
- Backers give
- CN¥170,000
- 0% platform commission
- −CN¥25,500
- You receive
- CN¥144,500
Risks to plan for
- R1
Too many customer requests
Early feedback can pull the service toward unrelated workflows. Define one initial use case and keep optional requests outside the core development milestone and budget.
- R2
Account boundaries fail
Errors in account separation can expose information between users. Budget dedicated boundary tests before onboarding and share results without revealing real account data.
- R3
Operating costs grow unseen
Usage-heavy features can raise hosting needs before revenue is established. Test representative workloads and keep an operating reserve tied to monitored resource use.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
How long does it take to fund a SaaS startup dream?
It depends on the goal and how active you are. Dreams with a small first milestone, real photos and fast replies usually get their first Backers within days. Plan for weeks and keep posting progress.
Can I fund a SaaS service before it has paying customers?
Describe the workflow, available prototype and remaining development honestly. Use milestones for working software and reliability evidence rather than making paying customers or future subscription income the proof.
What should I show if the software handles private business data?
Demonstrate the workflow with synthetic records and separate test accounts. Share summaries of account-boundary and recovery tests, while removing credentials, customer identifiers and sensitive infrastructure details.
Ready when you are
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