Quote from: jwiz168 on January 24, 2017, 09:51:52 AM

Quote from: Elevated on January 24, 2017, 08:15:08 AM

My apologies if this has been answered elsewhere. The first page of this ANN appears to commit increasing levels of features based on the success of the ICO, beginning at 5000 BTC. Given that the ICO raised less than this, what will be developed (if anything), and how will that change the roadmap? Even at the USDBTC-adjusted amount from the time this post was created USDBTC= ~453, the equivalent amount is still under 5000 BTC. Other ICOs that do not raise the minimum amount sought typically say proceeds will be refunded to participants, but I don't see that here. What happens now?

http://imgur.com/bq4fNtA

Don't worry Wings will continue. With their funds and the google sponsored support every month you have nothing to worry about their post-ICO development.

I would like to agree with you, however I think without a formal response form the wings team, that the question remains open. My understanding from their blog is the support from google is in the form of an ad credit grant (below). Given this grant can only be used for Adsense, it doesn't help with the many other costs of building the platform. As a smaller point, it's not easy to get a return on ad spend either, so these credits do not necessarily have any value.
"The grant will see the WINGS Foundation receive $10.000 every month in advertising through Google Adsense. "
https://blog.wings.ai/seasons-greetings-good-tidings-from-wings-foundation-a41aee75de8b#.5jloe3pel

Presumably the wings team set the various funding milestones based on a calculation of expenses, given the size of the team, salaries and other anticipated costs, and time to market. In other words, the milestones had meaning, and weren't marketing (?). If those milestones meant anything, then I think investors would feel much more comfortable hearing about the scenario that occurred, where the funding came in short of the first milestone. It's possible that they built in enough of a profit buffer that the shortcoming won't matter, as you suggest. It might also be possible that they didn't, in which case adjustments to expenses (smaller team?) or less features would be necessary. The direction of the project is dependent on the level of funding, so I imagine I'm not the only one who would like to see a more detailed response.