# 470: Upping the Chaos Level

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2024-02-09
- Length: 1h 16m
- Episode: 470
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/470

## Summary

Helen Leigh, Head of Community at Crowd Supply, discusses organizing the Teardown 2024 conference in Portland and her role in vetting indie hardware projects for the platform. She details the logistical challenges of hosting the event in a semi-abandoned mall, the criteria for accepting campaigns (requiring functional prototypes and open documentation), and common pitfalls for creators, such as underpricing and ignoring tariffs. The conversation also covers her personal journey of learning KiCad 7 and the RP2040 microcontroller for a sequencer project, while highlighting the importance of real-life community building over social media.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=6) Introduction: Helen Leigh and Crowd Supply
- [4:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=266) Teardown 2024 Conference Planning and Venue
- [32:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=1936) Crowd Supply Project Vetting and Criteria
- [38:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=2292) Common Pitfalls for Indie Hardware Creators
- [45:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=2702) Crowd Supply Fulfillment and Mouser Partnership
- [1:01:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=3680) Learning KiCad 7 and RP2040 for Sequencer
- [1:11:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level#t=4269) Building Community and Hardware Happy Hour

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Crowd Supply (company)
- Teardown (other)
- KiCad (tool)
- RP2040 (chip)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- JLCPCB (company)
- Memfault (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Worktrips and Workspaces - Junket Jactation Jiltedness](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-11-27-worktrips-and-workspaces-junket-jactation-jiltedness) (The Amp Hour)
- [Amazing Talks, Incredible Workshops: The Crowd Supply Teardown 2024 Special!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-07-06-amazing-talks-incredible-workshops-the-crowd-supply-teardown-2024-special) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Year End, 2017](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-18-year-end-2017) (The Amp Hour)
- [Kickstarter, IndieGoGo & Ignite - Jasperated Jimswinger Jobbery](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-04-24-kickstarter-indiegogo-ignite-jasperated-jimswinger-jobbery) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Josh Lifton](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-09-09-an-interview-with-josh-lifton) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-09-470-upping-the-chaos-level. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.