- 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.
- 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.
- 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 coding bootcamp dream with a goal of €11,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
€3,300 · 30%
Reserve and set up
Post the course booking receipt, the tuition instalment record and a checklist showing your development setup is ready.
Milestone 2
€3,300 · 30%
Complete core coding block
Share the next paid tuition invoice, a course progress record and a small working demo from the core coding block.
Milestone 3
€2,750 · 25%
Build the main project
Upload the project-stage tuition receipt, a repository link or recorded demo and a summary of your own contributions.
Milestone 4
€1,650 · 15%
Present the final portfolio
Post a final course payment record, a portfolio walkthrough and receipts for the remaining funded learning expenses.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a coding bootcamp dream in Vienna, shown in EUR. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
€11,000
- Bootcamp tuition fees€7,700 · 70%
- Computer and development equipment€1,650 · 15%
- Learning resources€550 · 5%
- Living costs during training€1,100 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- €11,000
- Platform fee (15%)
- −€1,650
- You receive
- €9,350
Risks to plan for
- R1
Course pace is demanding
An intensive timetable can leave little time for paid work or missed lessons. Budget living essentials for the full course and use learning blocks that allow honest progress updates.
- R2
Hardware may be unsuitable
Your current computer may not meet the course requirements. Check specifications before enrolment and place any necessary equipment purchase in the setup milestone, with receipts.
- R3
Projects depend on others
A group project can change scope when teammates leave or tasks shift. Define your own deliverables for proof and keep a smaller individual demo available for the project milestone.
Questions and answers
Can I use a project demo as milestone proof?
A demo can show learning progress, but pair it with receipts for the course or equipment being funded. Explain your contribution to shared code and remove passwords, private data and restricted course content before posting.
Should my goal promise a developer job after graduation?
No. Keep the funded outcome focused on training, completed work and a portfolio you can show. Hiring is outside your control, so describe career aims as aspirations rather than conditions that Backers should expect you to meet.
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.
Ready when you are
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