The Builder Circle™: The Hardware Startup Success Podcast

• S3 E6: Building Innovation Moats with Open Hardware with Andrew "Bunnie" Huang

  We want to hear from you! Leave your feedback on the show: https://forms.gle/z5JS5t8dWG26jx5k7Why Listen? This episode dives deep into the realities of hardware hacking, open-source innovation, and the global landscape of electronics manufacturing. Whether you’re a hardware builder, engineer, or maker, the insights shared here are crucial for understanding the challenges and opportunities in designing, building, and securing physical devices. We explore not just the technical side, but also the ethical, legal, and economic factors that shape the hardware ecosystem today.What’s Inside:The importance of transparency and openness in hardware developmentHow reverse engineering drives innovation and problem-solvingNavigating manufacturing challenges and supply chain complexitiesThe right to repair and why it matters for creators and consumers alikeAbout Andrew "Bunnie" Huang:Hardware hacker, author, and entrepreneurKnown for his pioneering work on Xbox hacking and open-source hardware projectsAdvocate for the right to repair and open innovationBooks by our guest:The Hardware Hacker: Adventures in Making and Breaking Hardware — Bunnie's acclaimed book on hardware hacking, manufacturing, and the global electronics ecosystem.Hacking the Xbox: An Introduction to Reverse Engineering — The classic book that started it all, now available for free from No Starch Press.Music by: Tom StokeDISCLAIMER "The Builder Circle” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.

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• S3 E5: AI in Hardware: The Future of Design, Manufacturing, and Innovation with Kristen Edwards

  Host Sera Evcimen welcomes Kristen Edwards, CTO and co-founder of Pensa Technologies and PhD candidate at MIT, for a deep dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence and hardware engineering. Kristen shares her expertise on AI-driven solutions for manufacturing, the challenges of integrating AI into engineering workflows, and the future of design and manufacturing.Key Topics Covered:Kristen’s background: AI, engineering, and manufacturing research at MIT and Pensa Technologies.The evolving role of AI in engineering: from automating tedious tasks to enabling new forms of design iteration and optimization.Trust and explainability in AI: When to trust AI outputs, the importance of data governance, and the need for human oversight.Data privacy and security: Foundation models, federated learning, and inference-time techniques for protecting intellectual property.The gap between academic research and industry application: Real-world constraints, manufacturing realities, and the importance of context.Organizational and social challenges: Why successful AI adoption requires both technical and cultural change.Exciting AI tools and companies: From generative CAD to defect detection in manufacturing, including shoutouts to Onshape, 1000 Kelvin, and Bucket Robotics.White spaces and future opportunities: Design-manufacturing interfaces, spatial reasoning, and capturing engineering intuition.Lightning round: The future of engineering jobs, the irreplaceable value of human creativity and empathy, and the importance of adapting to new technologies.Actionable Takeaways:Track not just engineering decisions, but the reasoning behind them, this is key for effective AI integration.Data management is foundational: Know where your data lives, how it’s labeled, and how it can be used to train or inform AI.Embrace AI as a “co-pilot” to augment, not replace, human expertise, especially for creative and high-consequence tasks.Be proactive about upskilling and adapting to new tools; engineers who leverage AI will have a competitive edge.The hardware world is full of opportunities for software talent, collaboration is needed to drive the next wave of innovation.Sponsors & Resources:Onshape: Cloud-native product development platform. Apply for the Onshape Startup Program at onshape.pro/thebuildercircle.Jiga: Direct access to vetted manufacturers for reliable hardware sourcing. Learn more at jiga.io.Companies mentioned: 1000 Kelvin (AI for metal additive manufacturing), Bucket Robotics (AI for defect detection), Auto PCB (automated PCB design), Monolith (AI for test data analysis).Connect & Learn More:Follow the show’s Substack for hardware tools, frameworks, and tips.Reach out to [email protected] if you have problems or ideas there are innovators ready to help!Music by: Tom StokeDISCLAIMER "The Builder Circle” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.

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• S3 E4: An Impact Hardware VC's Playbook with Carlota Ochoa from Extentia

  Carlota Ochoa is a Principal at Extantia Capital, leading UK operations for the fund. With a background in commodities at Merrill Lynch, operational experience in startups, and a senior management role at Amazon’s consumer electronics division, Carlota brings a wealth of expertise in climate tech investing. She now focuses on supporting pioneering hardware and software solutions that address major climate challenges.The Episode will answer:What do investors look for in hardware startup founders beyond technical innovation?Why are step-change innovations more attractive to investors than incremental improvements?How important is it for “green” solutions to also be cost-competitive and better than existing options?Why should founders engage with customers early, and what kind of proof do investors want to see?How can startups avoid losing focus by targeting too many customer segments or product variations?What supply chain and manufacturing risks matter most to investors, and how should founders address them?How should founders set expectations and build productive relationships with their lead investors?What’s the best way to tailor your pitch to different types of investors?Why is it risky to rely solely on the “green” angle or crowdfunding when seeking VC funding?Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Onshape, the only cloud-native product development platform. Eligible hardware startups can apply for a free year of Onshape Professional through the Onshape Startup Program. Apply now at onshape.pro/thebuildercircleThanks for listening! For more insights and resources, check out the full episode and subscribe for future conversations with hardware innovators.Please don't forget to share, rate and like the podcast on your favorite podcast platform!Music by: Tom Stoke#hardwarestartups #hardwaredevelopment #supplychain #supplychainmanagementDISCLAIMER "The Builder Circle” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.

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• S3 E3: Accelerators, Incubators and How to Leverage Them with Raphaele Leyendecker

  This episode digs into incubators vs. accelerators for hardware founders, featuring Raphaele Leyendecker, Managing Director at Techstars Sustainability Paris, climate-tech entrepreneur, and investor in 75+ startups.If you’ve wondered when to join which program—and how to actually get value without wrecking your cap table—this one’s for you. In this episode, you’ll discover:🐣 Incubator vs. accelerator—what’s the difference, and when to choose each (incl. TRL ≥ 4 guidance for hardware).📈 Traction over fundraising: LOIs, paid pilots, and revenue beat pitch-only decks.🧱 Build vs. outsource: how to avoid outsourcing your core know-how and protect IP.💸 Equity & terms: when dilution is worth it, and how to evaluate program fit (incl. market expansion).🚫 Common pitfalls: accelerator-hopping, joining too early, fantasy timelines.🔁 Pivoting & solo founders: when pivots make sense; why solo is OK only with a real team.👉 If you’re a hardware founder, engineer, or product builder, this one’s packed with battle-tested advice, real stories, and frameworks to help you build better.This episode is generously brought to you by our sponsor Onshape, the only cloud-native product development platform. Onshape combines professional-grade CAD with built-in PDM and real-time collaboration tools—all in one system, with no downloads required. Through the Onshape Startup Program, eligible hardware startups receive free access to Onshape Professional for one year, including integrated CAM. Apply now at onshape.pro/thebuildercircle.This episode is brought to you by Scale For ClimateTech, empowering climate tech companies to scale from prototype to production.Building a climate tech hardware startup? Ready to move from prototype to scalable manufacturing?Scale For ClimateTech is now accepting applications for Cohort 7. This free, 6-month program connects you with hands-on manufacturing training, direct supply chain access, and one-on-one support from over 40 industry experts.They've supported 102 climate tech companies on their scaling journey. Companies like Voltpost and Amogy have leveraged New York State's advanced manufacturing ecosystem to accelerate commercialization.Applications close November 14th. Learn more and apply at https://forclimatetech.org/scale-for-climatetech/Scale For ClimateTech is supported by NYSERDA and administered by SecondMuse in partnership with NextCorps.DISCLAIMER The Builder Circle by Pratik” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts and guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes related to the application of this content.

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• S3 E2: Export, Import, Tariffs, and Trade Compliance for Hardware Startups with Gabrielle Griffith

  This episode is all about navigating the complex world of tariffs and global trade compliance for hardware startups, featuring Gabrielle Griffith, Director at BPE Global, a leading trade compliance consulting firm. Gabrielle brings 20+ years of experience helping companies of all sizes manage the risks, costs, and surprises of international trade. If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs, HTS codes, and country of origin rules really impact your hardware business, this is the episode for you. In this episode, you’ll discover: 🛃 The fundamentals of tariffs, HTS codes, and why getting your classifications right is critical. 🌍 How country of origin and “substantial transformation” can make or break your supply chain strategy. 🤝 The real impact (and limitations) of free trade agreements like USMCA for hardware companies. 🚩 Common misconceptions on tariffs that can get startups in trouble. 💡 Practical strategies, scenario planning, and real-world horror stories to help you avoid costly mistakes. 📦 How to work with customs brokers, document your supply chain, and keep your business audit-ready. ⚠️ What to do when things go wrong—plus the fines, penalties, and legal risks you need to know about. 🔎 Why scenario analysis and proactive planning are essential in today’s fast-changing trade environment. 👉 If you’re a hardware founder, engineer, or anyone involved in building and shipping physical products, this episode is packed with actionable advice, cautionary tales, and frameworks to help you stay compliant and competitive. Please don't forget to share, rate and like the podcast on your favorite podcast platform! Music by: Tom Stoke #hardwarestartups #hardwaredevelopment #supplychain #supplychainmanagement DISCLAIMER "The Builder Circle” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.

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