Discussing Innovation and the Future with Mike Ossmann - Fiesty Festivus Futurology

The Amp Hour · 24 Dec 2013 · 1h 15m · Episode 177

What this episode covers

Mike Ossmann of Grayscott Gadgets joins Dave Jones and Chris Gammell to discuss the operational challenges of running hardware companies, specifically focusing on the 'pit of despair' in Kickstarter fulfillment and the complexities of open-source hardware development. They detail the technical hurdles of designing complex PCBs like the HackRF and Daisho using KiCad, including impedance matching and trace length calculations, and discuss how DARPA funding supported these open-source projects. The conversation also explores the shifting landscape of innovation, arguing that talent and funding, rather than geographic proximity to Silicon Valley, are the primary drivers for successful hardware startups in a globalized market.

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