# #025 - How to benefit for your startup from the one and only hardware accelerator of Southern California, with Shaun Arora of Make in LA, USA

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2017-05-10
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/025.mp3

## Summary

Shaun Arora, co-founder and Managing Director of Make in LA, discusses his hardware accelerator program which supports early-stage startups building physical products. He details the 4-month intensive curriculum, which includes office space, maker space access, and mentorship, focusing on helping companies pivot from consumer to B2B models and secure Series A funding. Arora highlights successful graduates like Ring Doorbell and a B Corp energy startup, while sharing his own mistakes regarding cohort selection and time management. He emphasizes the importance of cultural anthropology in product design and the value of measuring progress to improve outcomes.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=0) Introduction: Shaun Arora and Make in LA Overview
- [2:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=167) Make in LA Program Structure and Milestones
- [7:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=478) Hardware Topics and LA Ecosystem
- [9:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=544) Financial Offerings and Business Model
- [10:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=642) Successful Graduates and Follow-on Funding
- [14:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=883) B Corp Status and Social Impact
- [17:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=1066) Preventing Failures and Application Process
- [21:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=1279) Mistakes, Time Management, and Personal Advice
- [26:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=1570) Impactful Books and Measuring Habits
- [30:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-10-025-how-to-benefit-for-your-startup-from-the-one-and-only-hardware-accelerator-o#t=1805) Cultural Differences and Contact Information

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Make in LA (company)
- NEO Tech (company)
- Brinc (company)
- Kickstart Accelerator (company)
- Ring Doorbell (product)
- Dexcom (company)
- Ubeam (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- UPS (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- AutoDesk (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Trello (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2E37 Defied the odds:  A Physical Product Development Firm That Focuses on Startups & Small Businesses, Mako Design + Invent –Kevin Mako](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-23-s2e37-defied-the-odds-a-physical-product-development-firm-that-focuses-on-startu) (Being an Engineer)
- [S2E51 The Hardware Academy | John Teel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-03-s2e51-the-hardware-academy-john-teel) (Being an Engineer)
- [107: Using Hardware Incubators for Product Startups](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-12-22-107-using-hardware-incubators-for-product-startups) (Product Startup)
- [For Hardware Startups by Hardware People: Building The Builder Circle with Host, Sera Evcimen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-06-for-hardware-startups-by-hardware-people-building-the-builder-circle-with-host-s) (The Builder Circle)
- [108: Hardware Design Tips from Apple & Intel Leader](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-01-05-108-hardware-design-tips-from-apple-intel-leader) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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