Fund a robotics project dream in Milan without equity

Many people think the only way to raise money is to sell part of what they build or to borrow. On cohero, backings are gifts. You keep full ownership of your robotics project dream and everything it becomes.

A robotics project combines moving parts, electronics and software that must work together. Stage funding around a bounded task, an integrated machine and repeatable tests in a controlled space.

  1. 01

    Gifts, not investments

    A backing is a voluntary gift towards a goal. Nothing is sold, no ownership changes hands and no return is promised. Backers support a person; you keep control.

  2. 02

    Why milestones still matter

    Without contracts, Backers rely on transparency. Money is held per milestone and released only when you prove progress, so they can give with confidence.

  3. 03

    What you owe Backers

    Honesty: a true story, proof for each milestone and updates in chat. Not profits or repayment. If you cannot finish, unreleased money goes back to Backers.

How Backers are protected

14-day review per milestone

When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.

15% fee, deducted — never added

Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: €100 gives the Dreamer €85. The fee is kept if money is returned.

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.

Example milestone plan

An example plan for a robotics project dream with a goal of €13,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.

  1. Milestone 1

    €2,600 · 20%

    Define the robot task

    Post a task diagram, workspace measurements and a bench test showing the proposed sensing or movement principle.

  2. Milestone 2

    €4,550 · 35%

    Assemble the robot platform

    Share chassis build photos, actuator and sensor receipts, and wiring diagrams with a record of mechanical fit checks.

  3. Milestone 3

    €3,900 · 30%

    Integrate control software

    Upload a controlled demonstration, control code summary and logs showing sensors and movement working through the planned task.

  4. Milestone 4

    €1,950 · 15%

    Repeat controlled trials

    Post repeated trial logs, a fault summary and a video showing the test area, stop controls and final task sequence.

Budget example

A typical cost split for a robotics project dream in Milan, shown in EUR. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.

Example goal

€13,000

  • Mechanical design and fabrication€3,900 · 30%
  • Actuators sensors and electronics€5,850 · 45%
  • Control software and integration€1,950 · 15%
  • Trial equipment and spares€1,300 · 10%

What you receive

Backers give
€13,000
Platform fee (15%)
−€1,950
You receive
€11,050

Risks to plan for

  • R1

    Mechanical loads exceed estimates

    A motor may struggle once the complete assembly carries its intended load. Check loads during platform assembly and reserve components budget for gearing or actuator changes.

  • R2

    Sensors misread the workspace

    Lighting, surfaces or obstacles can upset sensing outside a bench setup. Include varied controlled trials in integration and allow time to adjust placement and filtering.

  • R3

    Integration consumes trial time

    Individually working parts can fail when combined on the robot. Set a limited task for the control milestone and protect a separate final budget for repeated trials and spares.

Questions and answers

Do I have to pay Backers back?

No. Money released for completed milestones is yours. Money still held for unfinished milestones can go back to Backers under the Backing Policy, minus the platform fee.

Do I need a fully autonomous robot to show meaningful progress?

Demonstrate the specific task and state which actions are manual, scripted or sensor-driven. A bounded controlled test gives Backers clearer evidence than an autonomy claim without repeatable trial records.

How can I document robot tests responsibly?

Show a controlled test area, the stop method and the limits of the demonstration. Share trial logs alongside video so Backers can distinguish a repeatable sequence from a single successful take or edited highlight.

Ready when you are

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