# 045: Product development and Kickstarter launch of Botanium, a product that helps people grow herbs and chilis

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2017-03-21
- Length: 47m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps
- Listen: https://theproductstartup.com/045-product-development-kickstarter-botanium/

## Summary

Johannes Roselius and Rasmus Toftdahl, who founded Botanium, discuss the product development and Kickstarter launch of a minimalist hydroponic system for growing herbs and chilies. They explain how they simplified the design to avoid complexity, used 3D printing for rapid iteration, and managed costs by designing custom circuit boards and sourcing reliable suppliers. The founders detail their strategy for building an audience through early engagement and creating a high-quality video to drive their successful crowdfunding campaign.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=0) Introduction and Audience Survey
- [3:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=209) Megan Cox of Amalie Beauty Update
- [17:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=1065) Introduction: Johannes Roselius and Rasmus Toftdahl
- [19:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=1181) Botanium Concept and Prototyping
- [22:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=1322) System Design and Simplicity
- [25:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=1546) Component Selection and Engineering
- [29:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=1752) Kickstarter Strategy and Execution
- [35:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=2145) Team Building and Funding Challenges
- [38:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps#t=2328) Costs, Profitability, and Lessons Learned

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Botanium (product)
- Ultimaker (tool)
- Kickstarter (other)
- Amalie Beauty (company)
- Mako Design + Invent (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 5 - StudioNeat (9/16)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-04-afterschool-podcast-episode-5-studioneat-9-16) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Product Simplification, Marketing, and Crowdfunding with Miguel Hernandez of Palocam](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [3: Onward](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2015-10-28-3-onward) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Hardware Development with No Prior Experience with Kris Christopher of Grow Nanny](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-07-hardware-development-with-no-prior-experience-with-kris-christopher-of-grow-nann) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [62: Ten Years](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2020-10-03-62-ten-years) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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