# #041 - How to use lean startup principles to start the world’s first VR cinema franchise, with Dimitri Nabatov of WeAreCinema, Switzerland

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2017-11-08
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/041_-_How_to_use_lean_startup_principles_to_start_the_worlds_first_VR_cinema_franchise_with_Dimitri_Nabatov_of_WeAreCinema_Switzerland.mp3

## Summary

Dimitri Nabatov, founder and CEO of WeAreCinema, explains how he applied lean startup principles to validate a VR cinema concept before building hardware. He describes using a Google Cardboard MVP to pre-sell tickets and validate market demand, then scaling via a franchise model to avoid high rent costs in Switzerland. Nabatov discusses technical challenges like headset overheating and motion sickness, and the importance of strategic communication within his team.

## Chapters

- [0:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=28) Introduction: Dimitri Nabatov and WeAreCinema
- [3:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=236) VR Industry Context and Mutual Experience
- [7:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=436) Founding Story and Google Cardboard MVP
- [9:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=598) Validating Demand with Pre-Sold Tickets
- [12:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=734) Early Hardware Challenges and Improvisation
- [15:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=950) Scaling via Franchise Model and Rent Avoidance
- [18:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=1094) Unit Economics and High Margins
- [22:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=1371) Addressing Motion Sickness and Future Tech
- [24:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=1486) Team Coordination and Avoiding Fatal Mistakes
- [29:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-11-08-041-how-to-use-lean-startup-principles-to-start-the-worlds-first-vr-cinema-franc#t=1778) Personal Habits and Cultural Differences

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- WeAreCinema (company)
- Google Cardboard (product)
- VR (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How to Validate the Market for Your New Product with Ivo Kalburdzhiev of CreatorClub](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-04-14-how-to-validate-the-market-for-your-new-product-with-ivo-kalburdzhiev-of-creator) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [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)
- [23: Go For Everything I Want](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-10-16-23-go-for-everything-i-want) (Embedded.fm)
- [Advice Line with Luis von Ahn of Duolingo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-01-advice-line-with-luis-von-ahn-of-duolingo) (How I Built This)
- [224: Expanding Your Product Into New Verticals](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-05-02-224-expanding-your-product-into-new-verticals) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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