3 ms·
Firstly, as you can see from many replies here, this being HN some people think hardware startups are companies that put software on computers and sell the comp
by binbag 5y ago
Firstly, as you can see from many replies here, this being HN some people think hardware startups are companies that put software on computers and sell the computers (e.g. developing a raspberry pi based tool for something). Let's call this hardware-lite.
It's obviously a bit of a 'spectrum', but I'd say a 'real' hardware startup would be one that develops new hardware, like Tesla, General Fusion, a robotics company, etc - really anything where the innovation is in the hardware, and if software is developed (usually will be) then it sits on top of that novel hardware. Let's call this case 'hardware-heavy'.
In the hardware-lite case, you're basically starting a software company that needs to set up a supply chain for a few parts, built by others, which provides the most cost-effective platform for your software to run on. You might then package that up, brand it, and sell it. This can be relatively capital nonintensive.
In the hardware-heavy case, you'll probably need quite a lot of capital. This will be needed for you to patent your invention(s), prototype your devices repeatedly until you've arrived at something commercially viable, set up a small batch manufacturing process to produce small volumes of prototypes. With hardware, when you ship something anyone can take it apart and reverse engineer it. Every time you replicate your product, it takes time and money - unlike software.
Tons of commenters here will be able to give you excellent advice about the hardware-lite model, because this is HN. I suspect there is less experience of hardware-heavy business models here.
Which fits your vision?
- traceroute66 5y ago> In the hardware-lite case, you're basically starting a software company that needs to set up a supply chain for a few parts, built by others, which provides the most cost-effective platform for your software to run on. You might then package that up, brand it, and sell it. This can be relatively capital nonintensive. True to a point. Beware that even if you're putting your software on to someone else's hardware, it is ultimately you who becomes the "manufacturer" in the eyes of the consumer and the law. So if your batch of Widgets that you bought from XYZ suddenly start setting fire to people's houses, that falls on your doorstep (yes you may have an upstream claim against the actual OEM, but it is you who will be responsible to the end users). Similarly if you're getting involved in safety critical stuff, then buying OEM hardware will only take you so far. Regulatory approval for the final package will still be on your watch and your tab.
- tootie 5y agoI've never scaled production, but having done hardware prototyping this sounds right to me. You can make some pretty clever thing with off-the-shelf components from DigiKey or Mouser, a soldering iron and a 3D printer. You scale 3d printing a bit with a partner like Xometry. Or even ordering custom fabricated plastic or metal. The team I had to build was primarily software with enough hardware knowledge to make things happen. The biggest gap was hiring an industrial designer who could do the details drawings of how to fit all the components and make sure the external dimensions fit the usage and had some style. We even managed to wrangle UL certification for a few things we built which is onerous and costly, but surprisingly not too complicated.