Hardware Prototyping Bootcamp 2024
FROM IDEA TO MVP - OUR BOOTCAMP INSIGHTS
Join us on a journey of prototyping and MVP mastery as we review the various masterclasses and key takeaways from our recent Hardware Prototyping Bootcamp. Get to know all tips and insights of our experts on the most important areas of hardware product development.
Join us on a journey of prototyping and MVP mastery as we review the various masterclasses and key takeaways from our recent Hardware Prototyping Bootcamp. Get to know all tips and insights of our experts on the most important areas of hardware product development.
Building, testing, prototyping and creating is an essential part for most of our members at MotionLab.Berlin. So is the knowledge about how to build and sell a product. Recently, we organized a bootcamp for those interested in learning about fundraising essentials. However, any successful funding is worthless without successful product and MVP development. That’s exactly why we hosted last week a new series of expert-led masterclasses exploring the topic of how to bring a hardware product to market, from the initial idea all the way to a tangible, market-ready Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the 7 sessions of Hardware Prototyping Bootcamp brought to our makerspace.
COMPLEXITIES OF HARDWARE MVP DEVELOPMENT
The Hardware Prototyping Bootcamp 2024 was kicked of by our long-standing partners from Voxdale on the important topic of: “(Re)Defining a Hardware Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Accelerate Your Development”. What to consider? Here are the main takeaways out of this workshop.
This masterclass was designed by Tim Dieryckx, Merijn Sanders, and Tom Dewaele from Voxdale – a valued and long-standing partner of MotionLab.Berlin – to equip startups with the methodologies and insights needed to navigate the complexities of hardware product development.
Voxdale leads in developing mechanical and mechatronic products, turning ideas into industrial marvels. The team focuses on innovation driven by users, using a mix of skills to speed up development and provide efficient solutions. With Tim Dieryckx as CEO, Merijn Sanders as Director (Voxdale Germany), and Tom Dewaele as User Innovation Expert, Voxdale helps startups tackle hardware MVP development with confidence. All three are experts in design and engineering of hardware and IoT products.
In the course of the masterclass, attendees learned how to identify their product’s key value drivers and validate design decisions to meet market needs. The key aspect: Understanding how to apply the MVP concept to hardware solutions, focusing on simplicity and value. This was the perfect workshop for everyone who is interested in refining MVPs and seeks to adopt a value-driven approach in hardware development.
PART 2: SUCCESSFUL HARDWARE MVP DEVELOPMENT
On the second das day we delved deeper into the topic of: (Re)Defining a Hardware MVP: Multidisciplinary Development Strategy. Here are the key takeaways of this masterclass held by Voxdale.
The second part of the masterclass held by the Voxdale team addressed the topic of advancing one’s understanding of MVP strategies through a multidisciplinary, value-driven approach. This included such aspects as accelerating product development with a customized roadmap, implementing an MVP strategy that fits one’s product’s value proposition and validating its real value.
In particular, the experts explored the questions of creating a lean development plan tailored to one’s product’s journey to market and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches when it comes to accelerating hardware development.
Working alongside numerous startups, Tim, Merjin and Tom have distilled several key insights about MVPs:
- Seek guidance from experts in the field.
- Consider manufacturing needs from the start of your project.
- Test hypotheses and create prototypes extensively.
- Prioritize sales and funding initially, and consider outsourcing tasks like product development and production.
- Explore international markets for optimal entry points.
IP STRATEGY FOR HARDWARE STARTUPS
The third workshop presented by Ludwig Lindermayer was all about protecting your innovation. In this masterclass, participants learnt everything they need to know to successfully protect their prototype, MVP and innovation.
Patent and trademark attorney Ludwig Lindermayer is an expert for “all the incomprehensive stuff” like patents and trademarks. He works at PAUSTIAN & PARTNER Patentanwälte mbB and supports startups in developing and implementing an IP (Intellectual Property) strategy from drafting to litigation, domestic to international. Talking about his journey, Ludwig says that he started with an apprenticeship as a mechanic and is a successful patent applicant in the field of expedition vehicles himself.
His masterclass focused on mastering IP strategies and insights into protecting inventions in the competitive hardware startup landscape. The participants learned about Key IP Rights, Trademark availability, patentable inventions, design protection, and DIY IP Management, with an emphasis on cost effectiveness, product design, strategy, and research.
But why is this important? “Take care of your IP strategy early – the sooner, the better! IP problems can quickly halt a startup,” summarizes Ludwig. “See what you can handle yourself and seek outside expertise from professionals.” His top advice: Start small and build from there. Your IP portfolio is crucial not only for your startup’s process, MVP development and brand but also for attracting investors.
TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP IN EARLY STAGE STARTUPS
Fernando German Torales Chorne, is not only the Co-Founder and CTO of Bearcover, but also one of our Lead Mentors in the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator Program. Bearcover focuses on addressing staffing shortages in healthcare facilities using human-robot teams. Their robot assistants help care staff by conducting well-being checks on residents and patients.
Fernando shared important steps for technical leadership in early-stage startups in the MVP development phase such as the role of a technical co-founder (like himself), effective delegation strategies, team building essentials, and managing rapid growth.
He also emphasized the importance of slowing down. “If you are in a rapidly changing and complicated situation, it is time to slow down and not to work harder! Your team and not your time is your best leverage for impact. But there is no one system that fits it all, optimal project management is different for managing different people.” Fernando believes that it is more important what things you say “no” to than the ones you say “yes” to.
AVOIDING COMMON PITFALLS IN MVP DEVELOPMENT
Sarah Moglia shared in this masterclass insights and tips on how to make sure you’re not building a product flop in the process of ideation and prototyping, to MVP and PVT development.
Sarah Moglia is the Director of Innovation Management at MT.DERM Group, a global technology leader specializing in cosmetic devices for skin treatments like micropigmentation and microneedling. With cosmetics being an area where innovation, quality, and user focus are paramount, Sarah’s workshop focused on how to build a product that doesn’t flop.
In a competitive market, it’s vital to ensure your product resonates with consumers. You learned how to find a product’s sweet spot, captivate consumers, and avoid common pitfalls in the MVP development. Sarah highlighted examples such as Satisfries, Amazon Fire Phone, and Portal from Facebook to illustrate potential pitfalls in product development.
Her masterclass was focused on the following key elements:
- Product Desirability: Understanding why consumer appeal is essential for success.
- Concept and Consumer Fit: Learning elements to ensure your product concept resonates.
- Product and Market Fit: Evaluating your product’s fit within the market.
- Avoiding Pitfalls: Learning to avoid common mistakes in product development.
- Strategic Testing: Acquiring knowledge on strategic testing approaches.
SECRET RECIPE FOR SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT SCALING
In the sixt masterclass lead by Georg Heinrich our participants learned how to go from "1 to 100": The Nuances Of Scaling A Product From One To A Hundred Units.
Georg Heinrich is Interim Manager at a tier 1 supplier in the Automotive and General Machinery Industry. He is an expert for the journey from prototypes to large-scale production, covering the aspects of certifications, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.
This masterclass was essential for early-stage startup founders and entrepreneurs aiming to scale their products at some point, regardless whether you’re at the prototype stage, MVP development or preparing for mass production.
This part of the bootcamp delved deeper into the stages of scaling a product, the importance of certifications, quality processes and regulatory requirements. Georg shared his real-world experiences and challenges that he faces during product scaling at his work
TRANSITIONING FROM MVP TO PVT
Whether you're a startup founder, CPO, CTO, or CEng facing the hurdles of product development, the masterclass led by Dan Shor from Innovobot was for you.
Daniel Shor is a Berlin-based designer, researcher, and mechanical engineer exploring the link between emotionality and touch experiences. Working for Innovobot Labs as Director of R&D and EU Labs, he blends human contact and experiential context to build the future of haptic technology, focusing on developing devices that stimulate human connection and behaviors through vibrotactile feedback. He collaborates with artists, startups and companies to develop and commercialize new experiences and products that help manage stress, improve well-being, and create connection between users.
Using this template and the preparations of each individual, Dan explained in his masterclass the process from MVP development to successful PVT. The main points discussed were:
- How to successfully navigate the product development process.
- Requirements Document for the product.
- How to create a test and validation plan for a new product.
- How to understand product maturity and readiness for commercialization.
- Where documentation matters, and where one can cut corners to be more efficient. With the participants, Dan explored the journey from MVP to PVT with practical insights.
THE BOTTOM LINE & THANK YOU
To sum up, both funding and product development are crucial for startup success, as shown by the key takeaways from the Hardware Prototyping Bootcamp. The masterclasses emphasized the importance of not only establishing an MVP concept but also crafting a scaling strategy. Protecting one’s IP is as vital as maintaining a strong user focus. Successful product development requires more than just technology; it also entails a robust strategy, fostering relationships, and long-term thinking. Additionally, sometimes slowing down and reevaluating your strategy is just as important as preparing for rapid scaling.
We would like to thank and give a round of applause to Tim, Sarah, Merijn, Tom, Dan, Ludwig, Fernando, and Georg for their invaluable contributions to our expert community and continuous knowledge sharing.
Don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about the next bootcamp. We hope to see you very soon!
