# How to Execute Quickly with Miguel Hernandez of Palocam

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2021-04-27
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 30
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam

## Summary

Miguel Hernandez, founder of Palocam, explains how he reduced his remote-controlled climbing camera's part count from 18 to 3 by removing the pan-and-tilt mechanism, drastically cutting assembly time and manufacturing costs. He discusses his journey from a Lego prototype to selling 12 units, his experience with Y Combinator, and his strategy for sourcing manufacturers in China through Alibaba and TechDesigns. Hernandez highlights the importance of rapid execution and feedback, noting that his quick implementation of advice led to a significant investment offer from another Hardware Academy member.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=0) Introduction: John Teel and Miguel Hernandez
- [5:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=350) Palocam Product Overview and Origin
- [13:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=810) From Lego Prototype to Y Combinator Rejection
- [22:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=1334) Design Simplification: 18 Parts Down to 3
- [32:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=1937) Sourcing Manufacturers: Engineering Firms vs. China
- [49:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=2940) Crowdfunding Strategy and Audience Building
- [58:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-04-27-how-to-execute-quickly-with-miguel-hernandez-of-palocam#t=3533) Investment Offer and Academy Community Value

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Palocam (product)
- Y Combinator (company)
- Pebble (product)
- GoPro (product)
- Arduino (chip)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- Alibaba (other)
- TechDesigns (company)
- Kickstarter (other)
- Indiegogo (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EP 3: AI Smart Glasses | 16 Weeks to CES, 10 Months to Acquisition | Build 2 Create](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/build-2-create-hardware-founder-stories/2026-02-10-ep-3-ai-smart-glasses-16-weeks-to-ces-10-months-to-acquisition-build-2-create) (Build 2 Create: Hardware Founder Stories)
- [005: Miniature Construction Materials](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-04-05-005-miniature-construction-materials) (Product Startup)
- [#016 - Developing with a hardware engineering company, with Karoly Molnar of ProDSP Technologies, Hungary](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-03-08-016-developing-with-a-hardware-engineering-company-with-karoly-molnar-of-prodsp) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [3: Onward](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2015-10-28-3-onward) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [S7E26 Paul Vizzio | From Prototype to Product: How Paul Vizzio Engineered RemieDog Into a Real Hardware Business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-06-19-s7e26-paul-vizzio-from-prototype-to-product-how-paul-vizzio-engineered-remiedog) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

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