Hardware Podcasts

Ep. 20 - Leasing a Space

Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast · 16 May 2024 · 1h 31m

What this episode covers

Stephen Hawz and Lucian Chafar of Opulo discuss the critical decision of leasing commercial real estate for hardware startups, moving from garage prototyping to a dedicated facility. They detail the financial modeling required to justify the lease, including hidden costs like parking and utilities, and emphasize the importance of negotiating lease terms such as chemical allowances and personal liability protections. The hosts also cover practical considerations for manufacturing spaces, including loading docks, facility infrastructure, and the strategic value of finding a landlord who understands startup risks.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Formlabs
Tools
Loopnet, Craigslist

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Product Startup · 28m

    107: Using Hardware Incubators for Product Startups

    Alex Dantas, CEO of CircuitLaunch, explains how hardware startups can leverage the 40,000-square-foot facility in Oakland to transition from garage prototyping to scaling production. He advocates for the 'co-factory' model, which supports short-run manufacturing of 100-500 units, allowing founders to build tangible products early rather than spending capital on business development. Dantas emphasizes that building a working prototype is the most critical step for securing investor confidence and validating market demand before attempting to scale.

    Prototyping & iterationStarting a product company
    7 chapters

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 53m

    #185 - Commercial Kitchen vs. Co-Man: Where to Make Your First $1M of Product

    Mott Smith, co-founder of Amped Kitchens, and Jaime Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, discuss the strategic choice between using a commercial kitchen or a contract manufacturer (co-man) for early-stage food brands aiming for their first $1 million in sales. They highlight that commercial kitchens like Amped Kitchens (used by Beyond Meat and 4th & Heart) are ideal for iteration and learning, while co-mans require standardized, industrial-grade products and high volumes to be economically viable. The guests emphasize that cash flow management and understanding unit economics are the most critical factors, as scaling often reveals hidden costs in staffing, packaging, and ingredient sourcing that can break a business if not planned for.

    Materials & manufacturing processesPricing, margins & unit economics
    8 chapters

  • Thoroughly Considered · 54m

    76: Tom’s Future Corner

    Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the operational realities of scaling a physical product business, including the high upfront costs of manufacturing custom metal parts for the Mark Two pen and the strategic use of Facebook and Instagram ads to reach niche audiences. They analyze the future of hardware, arguing that small companies must compete through brand storytelling rather than novelty, as patents are often unenforceable and commoditization is inevitable. The episode also features a critique of Sir Jony Ive’s new Terra Carta seal design and a re-evaluation of skeuomorphism as a functional onboarding tool.

    Pricing, margins & unit economicsDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    6 chapters

  • IoT For All Podcast · 24m

    Scaling an IoT Business | Vutility's Stephen Prince | Internet of Things Podcast

    Stephen Prince, CEO of Vutility, discusses the challenges of scaling an IoT business, emphasizing the shift from broad horizontal strategies to deep vertical focus. He highlights specific hurdles in hardware scaling, including manufacturing origins and the high cost of professional installation labor. Prince explains that moving beyond pilot stages requires comprehensive partner ecosystems to deliver end-to-end solutions that prove clear economic ROI.

    Scaling productionManufacturing partners & offshoring
    8 chapters

  • The Builder Circle · 18m

    For Hardware Startups by Hardware People: Building The Builder Circle with Host, Sera Evcimen

    Sera Evcimen, a mechanical engineer and startup mentor, explains the mission of The Builder Circle podcast to support hardware founders through case studies and practical advice. She details her background working on diverse products like satellites and robotics, which led to her hypothesis on common hardware failure modes. Evcimen outlines upcoming affordable resources, including 'The Building Blocks' strategy packages, designed to democratize high-quality hardware decision-making for startups with limited budgets.

    Starting a product companyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    1 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.