# From Crowdfunding to Development and Manufacturing with Erik Hunter of InD Creation

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-01-27
- Length: 49m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat

## Summary

Erik Hunter, founder of InD Creation, discusses his journey from a non-technical aquarium hobbyist to launching a Kickstarter campaign for a frozen fish food feeder. He details his use of a Prusa MK3S 3D printer and TinkerCAD for rapid prototyping, and an Arduino-based controller developed by his brother, to create a functional proof-of-concept. Hunter explains how he bypassed expensive marketing agencies to build an audience via social media and forums, successfully raising over $40,000 to validate market interest and fund the transition to professional manufacturing with Connective.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=0) Introduction: Erik Hunter and InD Creation
- [1:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=74) Product Concept and Market Niche
- [4:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=246) Pricing Strategy and Kickstarter Validation
- [8:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=538) Prototyping with 3D Printing and Arduino
- [14:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=894) Choosing Connective Over Direct China Manufacturing
- [20:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=1206) Bootstrapped Marketing and Audience Building
- [36:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=2210) Campaign Dynamics and Sales Plateaus
- [43:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-27-from-crowdfunding-to-development-and-manufacturing-with-erik-hunter-of-ind-creat#t=2584) Manufacturing Cost Estimation and Unit Economics

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- InD Creation (company)
- Connective (company)
- Kickstarter (other)
- Prusa MK3S (tool)
- TinkerCAD (tool)
- Arduino (other)
- SpyGuy (company)
- The Scout (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S3 E7: Building Bootstrapped Hardware That Sells with Christian Reed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-13-s3-e7-building-bootstrapped-hardware-that-sells-with-christian-reed) (The Builder Circle)
- [Episode 204: The Maker Knife with Giaco Whatever](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-03-01-episode-204-the-maker-knife-with-giaco-whatever) (Making It)
- [001: Inventing and DIY Product Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-09-001-inventing-and-diy-product-development) (Product Startup)
- [16: 3,841](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-08-10-16-3-841) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [186: Sleeping on the Factory Floor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-02-09-186-sleeping-on-the-factory-floor) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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