Lean hardware startups, a fresh breed of European entrepreneurs, are developing impressive products at a fraction of the cost, challenging the notion that hardware is capital intensive and risky. The lean startup methodology, traditionally associated with software, is now being applied to hardware, with companies focusing on rapid prototyping, customer feedback, and iterative design.
Notably, the emergence of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo has revolutionised the funding landscape, enabling lean hardware startups to secure pre-orders and test market demand before production. Furthermore, the advent of 3D printing and affordable prototyping tools has significantly reduced product development costs.
Several European startups are leading the lean hardware revolution. Kano, a London-based startup, raised $1.5 million on Kickstarter for its ‘computer anyone can make’. Similarly, Primo, another London-based startup, leveraged Kickstarter to fund its coding toy for children.
The lean hardware movement is not without challenges. Hardware startups face logistics, manufacturing, and regulatory hurdles that their software counterparts do not. Despite these obstacles, the lean hardware trend is gaining momentum, promising a new era of innovation in the European startup scene.
Go to source article: http://tech.eu/features/385/lean-hardware-startups-europe/