Want to know about the challenges of building a hardware company? GimmyChu of Nanotech explains how to do it at Tech Toronto October 2015 Meetup

1. Fighting the good startup fight!
Gimmy Chu | TechTO | Oct 5, 2015
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Classic Startup Story
Three friends, met at the UofT Solar Car Team, set out on a
journey to create products that can change the world.

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The world’s most energy efficient LED light bulb.
PLATONIC SOLID SHAPE
With all internal angles the
same, the dodecahedron is our
iconic shape that allows us to
create true omnidirectional light.
COPPER INTERIOR HEAT
DISSIPATION
Our PCB shell works in tandem with
our custom designed copper layers to
offer one of the most effective heat
dissipation solutions. Our bulbs are
never too hot to touch!
BEST-IN-CLASS PSU
Our Power Supply Unit is tailored to
run as efficiently as possible. Topping
out at over 90% efficiency., it is one
of the driving components that make
our bulbs so efficient.
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD SHELL
Besides making our bulbs more fun
and unique, using PCBs as our
shell material is also better for the
environment. Requiring a shorter
production process and consuming
less resources.
CUSTOM LED PACKAGES
Our custom designed LED
packages are specifically
made to push the efficiency
levels to their limits.
UNIQUE QR CODE
Every detail about each bulb is
documented and tracked. For each
bulb in the Origami series, there is a
unique QR code that links to an
internal DB of information – detailing
every component of the
manufacturing process for that
particular bulb.
Patented Technology

4. Why Hardware is called HARD-ware
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Idea
Prototyping
Supply Chain
Manufacturing
Logistics
Fulfillment
Marketing
Distribution

5. Large Markets = Huge Competitors
• Investors like products that have multi-billion dollar addressable
markets.
• That means we’re up against corporate giants with massive R&D
budgets
How do you win?
Guerrilla Warfare
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6. Guerrilla Warfare Tactics
• Bold and attention grabbing marketing. You need to go out there and
make a lot of noise!
• Find creative ways to do things in a cost effective way!
• Attack fast with the element of surprise. Disrupt the market with
innovations and pricing.
• Do whatever it takes, for however long it takes in order to succeed.
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7. Want to be an Entrepreneur?
Willing to work for a year without a paycheck?
Would you be willing to perform every task imaginable?
- build the office, take out the trash, scrub the toilets, create
the product, the marketing material, and find the customers.
Willing to stay up all night to create a proposal that you have a slim-to-
none chance of winning and then make cold calls all day the next day?
Sell your house, your car, and continue to work 18 hrs a day 7 days a week
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