121: Disrupt an Industry with your Hardware Invention

Product Startup · 6 Apr 2022 · 25m

What this episode covers

Alexander Manu, former head of Axis and OCAD University lecturer, explains how hardware startups can disrupt industries by defining their own category rather than competing within existing ones. He uses the iPhone as a primary example, arguing that Apple succeeded by designing 'behavior enablers' rather than just hardware, thereby transforming cultural norms and user expectations. Manu advises founders to aspire to be the 'best, first, or only,' emphasizing that high-quality materials and engineering are essential to justify premium pricing and create a new standard of excellence in the market.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies: Axis, Krillman International, Apple, Breville, Alessi
Products: Piper Piper, iPhone, WD-40, Kleenex
Also: OCAD University

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121: Disrupt an Industry with your Hardware Invention

What this episode covers

Most relevant to

Topics

Mentioned

Related episodes from other shows

76: Tom’s Future Corner

#063 - Your (hardware) product is not your product - think in terms of business models, with your host Balint Horvath, Switzerland

#066 - How to apply lean startup principles to hardware, with Ash Maurya of Leanstack, USA

S2E37 Defied the odds: A Physical Product Development Firm That Focuses on Startups & Small Businesses, Mako Design + Invent –Kevin Mako

How to Know If Your New Product Idea is a Good One to Pursue