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This is why I'm very, very skeptical about hardware Kickstarters by people who have never shipped hardware. Manufacturing is a hugely complicated endeavor that
by potatolicious 14y ago
This is why I'm very, very skeptical about hardware Kickstarters by people who have never shipped hardware. Manufacturing is a hugely complicated endeavor that outsiders like to trivialize ("I bet it cost $1 in China!"), and ambitious entrepreneurs like to underestimate.
It's the same reason I didn't fund Ouya - I didn't see anyone on the team who has actually successfully shipped a hardware product. It's the same reason I did fund Pebble, because they have, albeit on a much smaller scale.
This shit is hard, and people need to realize this.
- endersshadow 14y agoManufacturing and supply chain is one of the most complicated processes that occurs at businesses, by and large. We're talking about logistics to get your stuff to the warehouse, storing said inventory, monitoring inventory levels to know when to order, manufacturing goods that take time, then storing the finished goods until they can be shipped, and finally, sending them on their way. I've seen companies from all walks of life, and manufacturing goods is by far the most complicated process I've ever had to dive into. People think it's easy because it's simple on the small scale. There's nothing I know of that's harder to scale than manufacturing operations.
- starky 14y agoAs someone who works in hardware design, I don't think I would fund a hardware Kickstarter, unless there is someone involved that has shipped at least couple similar products. You are completely right, it is hard, sure the part is only worth $1, but you still have put in months going back and forth with vendors getting that part because they cut a corner or misunderstood what you wanted regardless of how clear you tried to be. Then you need to deal with them on a production scale.