# Hardware Startup Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them with Dave Millman of BizDev.Global

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-03-23
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 12
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde

## Summary

Dave Millman of BizDev.Global joins host John Teel to discuss seven hardware startup horror stories, ranging from a health wearable transmitting unencrypted data to a Power Computing clone failing due to swapped capacitors. They analyze specific failures including offshore developers passing off off-the-shelf boards as custom designs, logistics nightmares from excessive SKUs, and shipping rejections due to lithium-ion battery regulations. The conversation highlights the importance of independent design reviews, managing inventory complexity, and navigating changing tariffs and certification requirements for global markets.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=0) Introduction: Dave Millman and BizDev.Global
- [1:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=108) Horror Story 1: Unencrypted Health Data in Wearables
- [4:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=295) Horror Story 2: Offshore Developer Scam with Off-the-Shelf Boards
- [8:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=535) Horror Story 3: Engraving Customization and SKU Explosion
- [17:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=1047) Horror Story 4: Lithium-Ion Battery Shipping Regulations
- [22:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=1324) Horror Story 5: Localization and Translation Pitfalls
- [27:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=1629) Horror Story 6: Power Computing and Swapped Capacitors
- [32:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=1971) Horror Story 7: Electric Screwdrivers Breaking Display Panels
- [39:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde#t=2347) Horror Story 8: Tariffs and Margin Erosion

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- BizDev.Global (company)
- Alibaba.com (other)
- Indiegogo (other)
- Power Computing (company)
- Apple (company)
- Mac (product)
- Nova (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Lessons from a Recovering Hardware Founder | Bluesmart, ROOM, Kite Compliance | Brian Chen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-06-09-lessons-from-a-recovering-hardware-founder-bluesmart-room-kite-compliance-brian) (TRADEOFFS)
- [Year End, 2017](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-18-year-end-2017) (The Amp Hour)
- [Documentation Is A Waste Of Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-04-documentation-is-a-waste-of-time) (The Amp Hour)
- [3: Plenty of Candy, No Guns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-05-29-3-plenty-of-candy-no-guns) (Embedded.fm)
- [Wrong Hardware, Wrong Software - Fugacious Fan Funding](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-08-wrong-hardware-wrong-software-fugacious-fan-funding) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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