How to Run a Hardware Startup

1. Hardware Startups
The Big Picture and Lessons Learned
Greg Fisher
Founder, BSG
www.linkedin.com/in/gregfisher

2. Hardware Startup =
A startup whose aim is to take a
physical product to full scale production

3. Turnkey Manufacturing in China
for Hardware Startups
www.berkeleysg.com

4. Act as your Chief Operating Officer
www.berkeleysg.com

5. From DFM to Qualified Product
shipped to your Warehouse
www.berkeleysg.com

6. Worked with 700+ Startups
www.berkeleysg.com

7. www.berkeleysg.com
Building a Global Hardware Community

8. www.berkeleysg.com
State of the Market

9. Global Leader Interest
President Obama held the first
ever White House Maker Faire in 2014
He aims to:
• Help makers launch new business to
create jobs
• Expand the number of students to have
opportunity to become makers
• Challenge Makers to tackle our most
pressing problems

10. Global Leader Interest
Premier Li Keqiang of China visiting
A maker space in Shenzen
He stressed the importance of
Innovation on the development of the
Chinese Economy

11. Major Players in Hardware
Intel and Apple have been making big plays recently
in the Hardware and Wearable Tech Space
• Acquired Basis Science
• Collaborated with with Opening Ceremony
and Fossil on multiple wearable devices
• Launched Curie its Wearable Platform
• Acquired Beats for $3 Billion
• Recently launched the Apple Watch

12. Hardware is a Growing Market
Global Wearable's Revenue & Forecast ($bn)

13. Crowdfunding Spotlight
Crowdfunding Dollars Raised Q1 2015

14. Crowdfunding Spotlight
Coolest Cooler raised
$11 Million on Kickstarter
Prynt Case raised
$1 Million on Kickstarter

15. www.berkeleysg.com
Hardware is Hard

16. Hardware is Hard
First, there is
IDEATION

17. Hardware is Hard
Design
Engineering
Prototyping
Funding
Market Validation
Tooling
Manufacturing
Quality Control

18. Hardware is Hard
Packaging
Safety
Durability
Intellectual Property
Certifications
Shipping
Fulfillment
Branding

19. Hardware is Hard
Distribution
Retail
Customer Service
Returns

20. www.berkeleysg.com
The Bigger Picture

21. “Rework or redo only,
there is no try”

22. Hardware Startup Success
Marketing
Design Funding
Manufacturing

23. Build the Right Team

24. www.berkeleysg.com
Tools and Resources

25. Events for Hardware Startups
www.meetup.com/East-Bay-Hardware-Startup/
http://solidcon.com/internet-of-things-2015 http://www.hardwarecon.com/

26. Events for Hardware Startups
http://makercon.com/
www.wearableworld.com http://techcrunch.com/events/disrupt-sf-2015/

27. Online Communities
www.hardwaremassive.com www.hf.cx
www.hacketser.iowww.hackaday.com

28. Incubators and Accelerators
www.highway1.io
www.lemnoslabs.com www.haxlr8r.com
www.tandemcapital.com

29. Crowdfunding
www.indiegogo.com
www.angelist.com www.kickstarter.com

30. Distribution Channels
www.globalsourcesdirect.com
www.trycelery.com
www.tindie.com
www.grandst.com

31. www.shipwire.com
Fulfillment Houses
www.amazon.com/fulfillment

32. www.berkeleysg.com
Hardware is Getting Easier

33. The Bottle
Be Ready to Pivot

34. Throw Motion
Complex Products
Take Time

35. Tappur Drumpants
Be prepared for manufacturing

36. Modify Watches
Consider customization
And B2B

37. Niche markets
Are great for startups
Brite Tap

38. www.berkeleysg.com
The Hardware Revolution is Happening

39. Hardware Massive
www.hardwaremassive.com
Sign up at
Hardware Massive is an exciting new platform that allows everyone in the
hardware ecosystem to meet, learn and collaborate at events all around the world.
Find a chapter near you on our chapters map or apply to start a chapter.

40. Thank You!
Connect with me
Greg Fisher
www.linkedin.com/in/gregfisherbsg
Twitter: @berkeleysg