Hardware Podcasts

S6E47 Brogan Miller | Being a Doula for Hardware Startups, Manufacturing in Asia, and How to Start Networking

Being an Engineer · 21 Nov 2025 · 44m · Episode 47

What this episode covers

Brogan Miller, founder of Doula Studios, describes his role as a 'doula for hardware startups,' helping early-stage companies navigate new product development and manufacturing. He shares insights from his career at companies like Sensel, AliveCor, and GaeaStar, including designing a 200-pound electromechanical charcoal barbecue and managing supply chains in Asia. Miller discusses the cultural nuances of sourcing in Vietnam versus China, the importance of networking for career growth, and the challenges of balancing perfection with shipping viable products.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Doula Studios, Sensel, AliveCor, GaeaStar, Pipeline Design & Engineering
Also
Stanford University

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Hardware Entrepreneur · 29m

    #011 - Accelerate with an IoT accelerator, with Bay McLaughlin of Brinc, Hong Kong

    Bay McLaughlin, co-founder and COO of Brinc, a global IoT accelerator based in Hong Kong with offices in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, explains Brinc's lifecycle platform model. He details how Brinc supports startups from early customer discovery through manufacturing and go-to-market, leveraging its deep roots in China to help hardware founders navigate complex supply chains. McLaughlin emphasizes the importance of long-term strategic thinking, noting that hardware requires seeing the 'entire chess game' unlike software, and highlights health tech as a key focus area for his portfolio of 14 companies.

    Starting a product companyValidation & product-market fit
    9 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 27m

    An Interview with Zach Hoeken Smith - Creative China Commorant

    Zach Hoeken Smith, formerly of MakerBot and now with the HAXLR8R hardware accelerator in Shenzhen, discusses the realities of building physical products in China. He details the advantages of the local supply chain, such as the SEG market for tactile component selection and Taobao for sourcing parts, while contrasting this with the limitations of Western distributors like DigiKey. Smith also outlines the structure of the HAXLR8R program, which supports hardware startups in transitioning from prototype to mass production, citing Nomiku as a success story.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringSourcing & supply chain
    7 chapters

  • The Hardware Entrepreneur · 35m

    #051 - Connecting the (hardware) dots, with Greg Fisher of BSG and Hardware Massive, USA

    Greg Fisher, founder of Berkeley Sourcing Group (BSG) and Hardware Massive, discusses the realities of launching hardware products, emphasizing that business fundamentals like margins and distribution matter more than the product itself. He outlines a typical 6-9 month timeline for getting from concept to first production run in China, highlighting the importance of pre-production prototyping and early component ordering to avoid delays. Fisher also details the Hardware Massive platform and Hardwarecon event, which aim to connect startups with investors and industry leaders, noting that 75% of global hardware investment comes from the San Francisco Bay Area.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringScaling production
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 31m

    An Interview with Scott Miller - Sudden SinoAmerican Synthesis

    Scott Miller, founder of Dragon Innovation, explains how his company helps startups navigate high-volume manufacturing in China, drawing on his experience building Roombas and Scuba robots at iRobot. He details the critical importance of having a physical presence in Shenzhen, managing supply chain risks like counterfeit components, and protecting intellectual property through measures like signed ICs and bootloaders. Miller also discusses the specific challenges of crowdfunding, where entrepreneurs often fail to account for tooling and compliance costs, and outlines Dragon's retainer-based business model for guiding clients from prototype to production.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringIntellectual property
    13 chapters

  • The Hardware Entrepreneur · 35m

    #023 - Developing consumer products with an all-in-one manufacturer in China that is just different, with Jacob Rothman of Platform88, China

    Jacob Rothman, co-founder of Platform88, explains how his company bridges the gap between Western hardware startups and Chinese manufacturing by offering transparency and vertical-specific expertise. He details Platform88's evolution from a trading company to owning three factories that produce consumer goods like water bottles and kitchenware, citing Stojo as a key success story. Rothman emphasizes that startups should engage with manufacturers early in the design phase to navigate supply chain complexities and avoid costly mistakes, noting that traditional consumer products often offer better opportunities than high-tech ventures. He also discusses the cultural shifts in China, the importance of building trust through open communication, and how Platform88 helps startups manage cash flow constraints.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Being an Engineer. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.