# 510: The Secret Chip

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2025-09-19
- Length: 1h 04m
- Episode: 510
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/510

## Summary

Christina Cyr, CEO of dTOOR, discusses her journey building The Cyrcle Phone, an Android device with a round display, and her company's status as a social purpose corporation. She details the technical challenges of sourcing components like ADH connectors, the high costs of industry awards, and the emerging economics of lithium-ion battery recycling. Cyr also shares insights on navigating the hardware startup landscape, including the difficulty of fundraising and strategies for re-entering the workforce after a career break.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=6) Introduction: Christina Cyr and dTOOR
- [1:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=63) Lightning Round: Devices, Shapes, and Connectors
- [6:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=393) The Cyrcle Phone and Social Purpose Corporation Structure
- [15:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=925) Crowdfunding, Pricing, and the CES Innovation Award
- [27:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=1632) Secret Chips and Custom Silicon
- [29:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=1784) Lithium Battery Recycling and Regulatory Frameworks
- [40:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=2436) Re-entering the Workforce and Startup Funding Realities
- [53:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip#t=3238) Advice for Hardware Founders and Motivation

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- dTOOR (company)
- The Cyrcle Phone (product)
- Fairphone (product)
- ADH connector (other)
- PH connector (other)
- JST (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- Crowd Supply (company)
- Wellfound (company)
- Crunchbase (other)
- PitchBook (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Christina Cyr](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-01-20-an-interview-with-christina-cyr) (The Amp Hour)
- [For Hardware Startups by Hardware People: Building The Builder Circle with Host, Sera Evcimen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-06-for-hardware-startups-by-hardware-people-building-the-builder-circle-with-host-s) (The Builder Circle)
- [Year End, 2017](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-18-year-end-2017) (The Amp Hour)
- [Shiny New Pebble with Eric Migicovsky](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-10-shiny-new-pebble-with-eric-migicovsky) (The Amp Hour)
- [Hard Earned Lessons Learned with Wayne Frick of ChirpSounds – Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-22-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-2) (Predictable Designs Podcast)

## Citing this page

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