Bit confused why need to crowdfund a GPU miner. Can't the developer just offer it on percentage-fee usage basis (like claymore did for dual mining Ethereum)?
In this way, developer must satisfy its users to keep on using (i.e less bugs, fast support, etc).
Also, if this GPU miner is released first by other third-parties, not from Zcash team, I guess it makes currency less desirable to participate in.