1. The document discusses hardware accelerators and whether they are a good fit for startups. It provides an overview of the skills needed at different stages and types of accelerator programs. 2. It then describes the HAX accelerator in more detail, including its 111 day program split between Shenzhen and Silicon Valley to help startups prototype, manufacture, and launch their products. 3. The document outlines factors to consider in determining if an accelerator is a good fit, such as the team's experience, whether a working prototype exists, and the size of the potential market. It emphasizes accelerators are best for startups looking to solve problems with defensible solutions.

1. Is a Hardware
Accelerator
Right for You?
Benjamin Joffe, General Partner, HAX
ben@hax.co | @benjaminjoffe

3. EE
ME
CS
ID
BUILD
PROTOTYPE
Skills you will need

4. DFM
Sourcing
Manufacturing
Supply chain
Crowdfunding
Media
Financing
Fundraising
Marketing
Distribution
EE
ME
CS
ID
BUILD
PROTOTYPE
LAUNCH
BUSINESS
Skills you will need

6. 1. University (pre-accelerators?)
2. Corporate
3. Sponsored
4. Venture-backed
1. Focus
2. Ecosystem
3. Duration
4. Experience
Variety

9. SMART HARDWARE
STARTUP ACCELERATOR

10. STARTUPS PROGRAMS
80 7
YEARS
3
DAYS
FOUNDERS
& MENTORS
111 300

11. 26 countries

12. 60% 20% 20%

13. …and self-taught creators!

14. STARTUPS SELECTED RATE
1,000 30 3%
$25k-
$100k
EQUITY
$200k
MATCHING
FUNDS

15. STRATEGY
SOURCING
DESIGN
BUILDING
111 DAYS
SHENZHEN
MEDIA
INVESTORS
PARTNERS
DEMO DAY
SILICON VALLEY
+
CUSTOMERS

16. FROM PROTOTYPE
TO SCALE

17. “FULL STACK” ACCELERATOR
Prototype
Accelerator ($25k-$100k)
Shenzhen
Launch Make Sell
+$200k Boost
San Francisco

18. LOW-COST
ROBOTICS
HEALTH
+
WELLNESS
LIFESTYLE
+
HCI
+++ +++ ++ +
SMART
HOME
+
TOOLS
+
EDUCATION

19. Already $20M-$50M within 2 years
Early HAX startups

20. HAX
1

21. HAX
2

22. HAX
2
$1.2M

23. Launching

24. 2/3
B2C
36
KICKSTARTER

25. $1M+$500K$100K<
KICKSTARTER.COM / HAX
“#1 VC in crowdfunding”
5 22 6 3

26. MILLION-DOLLAR CAMPAIGNS
$1.5M
#1 in France
#13 in Technology
9,000 backers
$2M
#8 in USA
#10 in Technology
40,000 backers
$1.9M
#4 in UK
#5 in Design
8,500 backers

27. Is it a fit?

28. • Too early: no working prototype
• Too late: crowdfunded? shipped? fundraised?
• Wrong match: expertise, resources, location, etc.
• Outsourcing innovation: OEM, etc.
When NOT to join

29. • Identified a problem to solve / an unmet need
• Working prototype
When it’s right

30. 1. What is the TEAM experience and skills
2. How is the PROTOTYPE
3. Is there a big enough MARKET for it
4. Is it HARD to do / how much BETTER / Is it DEFENSIBLE
Key Points

31. SCIENCE
Biotech,
Nanotech,
Materials,
Medicine,
etc.
SOFTWARE
Algorithms
AI
ECOSYSTEM
Supply + Distribution
Developers
Users
DO SOMETHING HARD!

32. Why Shenzhen?

33. Why Shenzhen?
SHENZHEN
SILICON VALLEY
The silicon has
moved out of
it is now in

35. Increase iteration speed

36. $500k

37. 1 year
3 months

38. Shenzhen
Hong Kong

39. Why Shenzhen?
Speed
Cost
Quality
Open to startups

40. Why Shenzhen?

42. “Each wand will learn from
and teach its human partner."
— Garrick Ollivander, Harry Potter

43. SHENZHEN SILICON VALLEYYOU + +

44. Questions?
ben@hax.co
@benjaminjoffe