kickstarting

Sparking into action

Kickstarting is getting something going with an initial push.

The word comes from the lever on a motorcycle that a rider kicks downward to start the engine.

Figuratively, you kickstart a stalled economy, a career, or a creative project: The grant money kickstarted her research.

Since the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter launched in 2009, kickstarting has also come to mean funding a project through such campaigns: They're kickstarting their indie game.

initiation

begin

To start something

commenceTo set underway
launchSet into motion
activateCause to function

spark · ignite · trigger · catalyze · instigate · inaugurate · embark · pioneer · establish · found

momentum

jumpstart

Revive with external power

boostUpward push or increase
accelerateIncrease in velocity
propelForce into motion

drive · thrust · push · impetus · stimulus · catalyst · surge · revival · reboot · reinvigorate

crowdfunding

Kickstarter

Creative project funding site

campaignOrganized effort toward goal
backersFinancial supporters
pledgeBinding promise given

funding · crowdfunding · prototype · rewards · creator · project · supporters · contribution · milestone · tier

motorcycle

engine

Machine producing motion

ignitionStarting combustion process
pedalFoot-operated lever
carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer

throttle · revving · starter · compression · cylinder · vintage · manual · choke · crank · boot

Opposites

initiation of action or momentum

kickstartingstopping

Ceasing to continue

halting · killing · terminating · ending · shutting down

pace of initiation

kickstartingslow start

Weak initial performance

soft launch · organic growth · creeping along

lifecycle stage

kickstartingending

Final portion of something

finishing · concluding · wrapping up · terminating · winding down

Family

start, kick, kicking, kicked, kicker, kickers, kickstart, kick-start, kickable

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G