It can be exciting to create a disruptive hardware component startup. The joy of interacting with your creation is something few things can match.
Hardware startup are difficult. The business version of the question is, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" The components you are creating or the devices that are designed to use them are the first things you have to think about.
It isn't an easy question to answer. Our company built a new way to deliver long-range wireless electricity. Product designers would need to change their devices to power them wireless in order to catch those beams of electricity.
We wanted manufacturers to be excited about our system and update their products fast. We got positive feedback, too, but most had no bandwidth for disruption as they wrestled with their burdens of running a business and worrying about earning calls. The idea was put on the back burner.
To show how they work, we began to build devices with the necessary receiver built in. If you are on the same path, here are five things you should do.
Creating your own devices does not mean giving up on your original goal of providing components for other manufacturers to use.
Let's be transparent. It is very unlikely that you will have the success of cargo containers or chips. There is no need to rush when building a startup. Start by making just a single prototype.
It is not important to make this first version of your device perfect or pack in all the features you have thought up. Think of it as a crude demonstration that can show people what can be done.
We made a small device for a supermarket shelf that could be powered by the internet. We used some tape on the inside to keep it in place. Potential buyers only wanted to see a proof of concept that confirmed our idea.
When showing off your first device, gauge people's responses and ask for feedback. Is it possible that they would use it. Is it possible that they would like more? It might work better if something is done to it.
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