For hardware projects, consider starting with software solutions to validate ideas before investing in physical products.

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

To build a prototype rapidly, utilize prototyping software and keep it simple, such as creating a clickable prototype with tools like Figma or Envision.

When creating a prototype, prioritize speed and simplicity over perfection; aim to identify the core value of your product quickly, as you may discard most of your initial code.

Prototyping is crucial; instead of spending months on a project before showing it to anyone, build prototypes and share them throughout the design process to gather feedback early.

If you're not prototyping and building to see what you want to build, I think you're doing it wrong. Prototyping is essential for effective product development.

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.

Rapid prototyping and user testing are essential; focus on getting a functional prototype out quickly, using tools to create clickable mock-ups or writing throwaway code to test ideas with users, as building a fully functional product before testing can be an expensive mistake.

We decided to create our own hardware device instead of licensing our technology, believing we could do it better ourselves. Building consumer hardware as a startup was considered totally insane in the early 2000s, with very few successful examples to follow.