4 ms·

This is why my self-driving RC-car platform is withering on the vine - I can't get funding because I'm an engineer, not a salesman.

ZoF 13y ago
Need a site? I'll build it out for free within reason. Need someone to physically pitch your product to investors? I can't do that.
agibsonccc 13y ago
Half of the battle is picking up the phone. I think the main problem is coming up with a problem you're both passionate about and that provides value to customers. You can learn sales as you go. The best salesman are the ones who don't know how to say no. I think the self defeatist mentality of "I'm not a salesman" is the core problem. You're a salesman if you call yourself one. The main reason being: You're the first person who said yes. Your next job is to do what every other sales person has to do: stomach a no answer, learn from your mistakes, and iterate on your idea within reason of making sales. Validation is apart of the sales process as well.
TimothyE 13y ago
I had the same experience when I graduated and worked as an engineer. Ended up deciding that I'd learn the business side myself and do an MBA. Now I see the other side of the page, lots of business students who want to start something up but can't make a product. If you want to commercialize go find someone who's as passionate about business as you are about the engineering and you'll have a much better chance
- stephengillie 13y ago
  The funny part about this is my BA is in Business...
  - TimothyE 13y ago
    :) Guess it goes to show that passion will out. Got a link for your project?
    - stephengillie 13y ago
      gilgamech.blogspot.com I haven't updated it in months.
lemiffe 13y ago
I am looking for an RC that I can control through WIFI. In other words, I want to be able to control an RC remotely through the internet (with a webcam, of course). Is this what you offer?
goggles99 13y ago
The biggest problem here is your product. Why would anyone want a self driving RC car? The whole point/fun of an RC car is driving it yourself. Why do you think a market actually exists here? I don't quite get it.
- geon 13y ago
  I think the key word is "platform". Robotics hobbyists would enjoy writing software and design sensors for it to drive itself.
  - goggles99 13y ago
    Oh you mean like arduino? The very thing that he is using to create this? He has so far achieved less than I did in a high school tech class 20 years ago (and kids do far better in high schools today) and he wants some kind of funding? are you kidding? Forget the piss poor presentation. There is no product. Not even a virtual prototype of what he hopes to accomplish. I sure hope that he doesn't quit his day job over this.

ZoF 13y ago

Need a site? I'll build it out for free within reason. Need someone to physically pitch your product to investors? I can't do that.

agibsonccc 13y ago

Half of the battle is picking up the phone. I think the main problem is coming up with a problem you're both passionate about and that provides value to customers. You can learn sales as you go. The best salesman are the ones who don't know how to say no. I think the self defeatist mentality of "I'm not a salesman" is the core problem. You're a salesman if you call yourself one. The main reason being: You're the first person who said yes. Your next job is to do what every other sales person has to do: stomach a no answer, learn from your mistakes, and iterate on your idea within reason of making sales. Validation is apart of the sales process as well.

TimothyE 13y ago

I had the same experience when I graduated and worked as an engineer. Ended up deciding that I'd learn the business side myself and do an MBA. Now I see the other side of the page, lots of business students who want to start something up but can't make a product. If you want to commercialize go find someone who's as passionate about business as you are about the engineering and you'll have a much better chance

stephengillie 13y ago
The funny part about this is my BA is in Business...
- TimothyE 13y ago
  :) Guess it goes to show that passion will out. Got a link for your project?
  - stephengillie 13y ago
    gilgamech.blogspot.com I haven't updated it in months.

lemiffe 13y ago

I am looking for an RC that I can control through WIFI. In other words, I want to be able to control an RC remotely through the internet (with a webcam, of course). Is this what you offer?

goggles99 13y ago

The biggest problem here is your product. Why would anyone want a self driving RC car? The whole point/fun of an RC car is driving it yourself. Why do you think a market actually exists here? I don't quite get it.

geon 13y ago
I think the key word is "platform". Robotics hobbyists would enjoy writing software and design sensors for it to drive itself.
- goggles99 13y ago
  Oh you mean like arduino? The very thing that he is using to create this? He has so far achieved less than I did in a high school tech class 20 years ago (and kids do far better in high schools today) and he wants some kind of funding? are you kidding? Forget the piss poor presentation. There is no product. Not even a virtual prototype of what he hopes to accomplish. I sure hope that he doesn't quit his day job over this.