New business and Kickstarter Funding

T

thedave

Cast Iron

Joined

Feb 23, 2011

Location

Houston, TX

• Nov 3, 2012

• #1

Disclaimer: This is both a shameless plug and viable way to test product sales

We all know how difficult transitioning from a day job to your own business is. I created a product that I couldn't afford to produce on my own and launched it on Kickstater. My goal is to raise $1 Million. Will it works, who know, I think (and Hope) it will. I am producing as much as I can in the US, and using good parts where I can't. I plan to be fairly transparent in the process, from production to shipping, Nothing I'm doing is rocket surgery. I think that crowd source funding for niche and high quality products will be more important in the future. It will be an interesting ride.

Link for those interested: Kickstarter Link

 

J

jamscal

Stainless

Joined

Sep 8, 2004

Location

Louisville, KY

• Nov 4, 2012

• #2

Good luck with your project.

I'm interested to see where this leads and in kickstarter in general.

I only have a passing knowledge of kickstarter, and none in apple docking solutions ...

but from what I can tell you're looking for too much $$$ and you aren't hooked up to facebook. Again, no experience here.

Hopefully you have a way (ways) other than PM to help this thing go 'viral'.

-James

 

E

Edster

Diamond

Joined

Feb 8, 2003

Location

Illinois

• Nov 4, 2012

• #3

Nice looking project!

Just curious will the version with the usb hub work with pc's as well as mac's?

I've never heard of the kickstarter website. It looks like a great idea, hopefully it works out for you.

 

T

thedave

Cast Iron

Joined

Feb 23, 2011

Location

Houston, TX

• Nov 4, 2012

• #4

For the first question: Due to the cost of electronics required, and there is a injection molded part, it isn't worth doing less than 5,000 units. That about covers the 1 Million. Also it becomes a full time business as that time, and I need to eat.

As far as marketing, Facebook is having an issue connecting. We sent a press release to 150 tech blogs, waiting to get some exposure. The issues with hurricane Sandy have also slowed things down.

The USB hub is fully backward with USB 2, and will work with any computer.

 

L

lbhsbz

Cast Iron

Joined

Dec 11, 2009

Location

Long Beach CA

• Nov 4, 2012

• #5

So, your one IM part is $200 per unit. What do you plan on selling the device for?

 

S

S_W_Bausch

Diamond

Joined

Jan 15, 2010

Location

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

• Nov 4, 2012

• #6

I have considered the pros and cons of Kickstarter, and I don't think Kickstarter is acting in good faith.

They refuse to sort "all nn projects" as a list with nn members.

Oh, there are links claiming "View all nn Technology projects", but try as you might, you will not get a list of nn Technology projects.
They (seem) to insist on being an ignorant/naive judge/gatekeeper; witness the myriad 3D printer kits, iPhone docking stations, LED WiFi light bulbs, ad nauseum.

When the SEC gets around to writing the rules that will cover "crowd source" "investments" (in the spring?), perhaps Kickstarter will mature into a site where each category will have properly qualified entry judges, and the site visitors will be able to browse a category without inflicting Kickstarter's opinion of what is to be seen, and what is not to be seen.

 

T

thedave

Cast Iron

Joined

Feb 23, 2011

Location

Houston, TX

• Nov 4, 2012

• #7

The current price $200 and 279 is set at what the distributor pricing would be once it hits retail. There is a reasonable profit in them as well.

I agree all projects arn't created equal. I expect it will get better with time.

 

John Welden

Diamond

Joined

Mar 21, 2009

Location

Seattle

• Nov 4, 2012

• #8

Seems like a $200 dollar dock is a way too high of price, but hope you prove me wrong. It's really hard to design things that are inexpensive to make.

 

A

AndyF

Stainless

Joined

Nov 3, 2003

Location

Phelps, NY, USA

• Nov 5, 2012

• #9

Thanks for posting and good luck with your project. I wasn't really familiar with Kickstarter, I thought it was just for Brooklyn hipster artsy type projects, but your posting made me take a look at the site and it seems like there is some real stuff being funded.

 

G

Gary E

Diamond

Joined

Jan 2, 2006

Location

Houston, TX

• Nov 5, 2012

• #10

John Welden said:

Seems like a $200 dollar dock is a way too high of price, but hope you prove me wrong. It's really hard to design things that are inexpensive to make.

Click to expand...

Wait til it's advertized on tv at ONLY $19.95 plus a small shipping and handling charge but wait....
We'll send you TWO for $19.95 just pay processing....

 

A

AndyF

Stainless

Joined

Nov 3, 2003

Location

Phelps, NY, USA

• Nov 5, 2012

• #11

Gary E said:

Wait til it's advertized on tv at ONLY $19.95 plus a small shipping and handling charge but wait....
We'll send you TWO for $19.95 just pay processing....

Click to expand...

If it was a PC product, I'd agree with you, but for Apple stuff it seems like the Apple fans are willing to pay more. You very rarely see Apple or Apple compatible products selling on price. That said, $279 seems too high unless it has some sort of designer imprint, but at $50 - $75 they would probably sell all day long.