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

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2013-12-24
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 177
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/177-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurology/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=0) Introduction: Mike Ossmann and Grayscott Gadgets
- [6:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=360) Kickstarter Fulfillment and Component Sourcing Challenges
- [22:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=1375) DARPA Cyber Fast Track and Open Source Hardware Projects
- [27:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=1676) KiCad PCB Design: Daisho and Impedance Matching
- [35:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=2124) Innovation, Silicon Valley, and Geographic Distribution
- [54:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=3274) 2014 Conference Schedule and Community Events
- [1:03:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=3795) Lab Optimization and Content Production Infrastructure
- [1:10:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog#t=4200) Ice Carving and Hardware Hacking Culture

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Grayscott Gadgets (company)
- HackRF (product)
- Daisho (product)
- DARPA (company)
- KiCad (tool)
- Contextual Electronics (company)
- CERN (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15) (The Spark Gap)
- [Ep. 36 - Keeping Up With Orders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2025-01-24-ep-36-keeping-up-with-orders) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [35: All These Different Reasons Why You Might Want to Do Something](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-01-15-35-all-these-different-reasons-why-you-might-want-to-do-something) (Embedded.fm)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-06-27-293-skateboard-tricks) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-24-discussing-innovation-and-the-future-with-mike-ossmann-fiesty-festivus-futurolog. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.