Crowdfunding can create significant challenges for hardware startups, as many founders lack a clear understanding of costs and timelines, leading to unmet expectations.

The best practice for hardware startups is to launch crowdfunding campaigns only after they have developed and tested their product, to avoid creating a negative reputation.

Crowdfunding can be useful at the early stage to raise funds for a working prototype, especially for hardware engineers with limited resources.

I recommend not trying to create a massive marketing campaign for crowdfunding at the start, as it often leads to failure in delivering the product.

If you're not confident in your ability to deliver a product within a certain timeframe, you should avoid using crowdfunding platforms that are heavily focused on shipping.

Taking money from investors comes with accountability; if a startup fails to deliver, it can lead to lasting damage to the founder's reputation.

I believe that raising a lot of money isn't always the best strategy; it can lead to overspending and failure, as seen with many companies in Silicon Valley.

Using crowdfunding as a marketing and sales channel can be effective, especially if you've already sold a significant number of units before launching the campaign. We received feedback from about 1,500 eager individuals who were very open with their thoughts, allowing us to tune and tweak the Pebble product effectively.

For consumer hardware startups, having a critical fundraising roadmap is essential to reach escape velocity and ensure long-term success.