# 42: Blocks of Gold with LCD Displays

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2014-03-12
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/mes-ep42mp3

## Summary

Host Elecia White and guest Christopher White discuss the signs of startup failure, drawing on White's experiences at companies like Procket Networks and a medical device firm, as well as his own consulting work. They identify key warning signs such as 'founderitis,' unreasonable schedules, building science projects instead of products, and poor financial management. The conversation highlights how technical complexity, lack of product-market fit, and toxic leadership often lead to the slow demise of hardware startups.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=6) Introduction: Discussing Startup Failure
- [7:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=465) Procket Networks: Complexity and Timing
- [17:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=1065) Medical Device Startup: Flexibility and Cost
- [20:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=1254) Company C: Pricing and Military Contracts
- [26:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=1597) Cisco Project: Apathy and Lack of Vision
- [40:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=2420) Fraudulent Investor and Bankruptcy
- [46:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=2819) Signs of Failure: Gossip and Turnover
- [57:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=3449) Founderitis and Scheduling Realities
- [1:05:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-12-42-blocks-of-gold-with-lcd-displays#t=3940) Keys to Success: Open Minds and Passion

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Procket Networks (company)
- Cisco (company)
- Juniper (company)
- Everpix (company)
- Digi-Key (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [13 Reasons Why New Hardware Products Fail](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-11-23-13-reasons-why-new-hardware-products-fail) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Five Biggest Mistakes Hardware Startups Make with Customers with Dave Millman of BizDev Global](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-07-five-biggest-mistakes-hardware-startups-make-with-customers-with-dave-millman-of) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Ep. 39 - Starting a Hardware Company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2025-05-15-ep-39-starting-a-hardware-company) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [#424: The MedTech Startup Survival Guide with Steve Bell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-09-15-424-the-medtech-startup-survival-guide-with-steve-bell) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Hardware Entrepreneurs: 3 Critical Mistakes You Must Avoid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-06-21-hardware-entrepreneurs-3-critical-mistakes-you-must-avoid) (Predictable Designs Podcast)

## Citing this page

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