# #011 - Accelerate with an IoT accelerator, with Bay McLaughlin of Brinc, Hong Kong

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2017-02-01
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/011.mp3

## Summary

Bay McLaughlin, co-founder and COO of Brinc, a global IoT accelerator based in Hong Kong with offices in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, explains Brinc's lifecycle platform model. He details how Brinc supports startups from early customer discovery through manufacturing and go-to-market, leveraging its deep roots in China to help hardware founders navigate complex supply chains. McLaughlin emphasizes the importance of long-term strategic thinking, noting that hardware requires seeing the 'entire chess game' unlike software, and highlights health tech as a key focus area for his portfolio of 14 companies.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=0) Introduction: Bay McLaughlin and Brinc Overview
- [2:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=167) Brinc's Lifecycle Platform: Accelerator, Studio, and Growth Programs
- [7:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=432) Motivation for Founding Brinc and Moving to Asia
- [9:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=594) Differentiation from Other Hardware Accelerators
- [13:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=788) Strategic Locations: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou
- [14:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=870) Trial by Fire and the Challenge of Hardware Exits
- [16:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=991) Major Challenges: Thinking Long-Term and Avoiding Software Mentalities
- [19:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=1178) Focus on Health Tech and the 'Internet of Sh'
- [22:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-02-01-011-accelerate-with-an-iot-accelerator-with-bay-mclaughlin-of-brinc-hong-kong#t=1356) Inspiration, Mentorship, and UltraFest Round

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Brinc (company)
- Apple (company)
- Dragon Innovation (company)
- Bolt (company)
- Highway One (company)
- Pebble (product)
- Literati Robotics (product)
- Scully (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S6E47 Brogan Miller | Being a Doula for Hardware Startups, Manufacturing in Asia, and How to Start Networking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-11-21-s6e47-brogan-miller-being-a-doula-for-hardware-startups-manufacturing-in-asia-an) (Being an Engineer)
- [An Interview with Scott Miller - Sudden SinoAmerican Synthesis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-09-17-an-interview-with-scott-miller-sudden-sinoamerican-synthesis) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Zach Hoeken Smith - Creative China Commorant](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-12-an-interview-with-zach-hoeken-smith-creative-china-commorant) (The Amp Hour)
- [Maximizing ROI for IoT Prototyping and Development | Blynk's Pavel Bayborodin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-08-31-maximizing-roi-for-iot-prototyping-and-development-blynks-pavel-bayborodin) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Monster Scale Production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-28-monster-scale-production) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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