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MenuI have an idea of a new type of wearable device, which I think is really huge. But I have neither the team nor funding, how should I proceed?
This idea will be the first wearable device that reads gestures.
Answers
The best avenue for funding would likely be Kickstarter, but that presumes that the idea of a gesture-reading device is likely to have broad-enough appeal, which I'm not sure of based on the one line description.
When I think about reading gestures, I think about a market primarily aimed at people with vision impairments. If that's the case, you might even want to look at foundations or organizations who might fund some of the research, but that will almost inevitably slow your pace of innovation.
You might want to setup a call with Clay Hebert if you decide to go the Kickstarter route. https://clarity.fm/clayhebert
Best of luck. Curious to hear more.
Hi there
My name is Simon Anquetil and I am a mobile startup consultant with experience across a range of industries.
Sounds like you're on to something there. The wearable device market is growing rapidly.
The first step is to get your idea to a level where you can convince someone to fund your prototype. There are many ways for this to happen. You may have heard of Pebble watches? This was totally funded by Kickstarter. True - they had a great team around them to start with - but if you can start with the idea and build an appealing enough case, Kickstarter might still be an option for you. (refer to www.kickstarter.com if you aren't sure what I'm talking about)
The team can be put together at a reasonable cost using tools like AppHappening.com, depending on what you need.
The key is to get your prototype happening so that you can then attract people who will fund the whole development cycle. There are so many ways to find the right partners, but first you need to give your idea some credibility. Make it tangible.
Please feel free to schedule a call if you'd like more advice on this.
Team: Clarify, oDesk, Elance, or your connections.
Funding: Kickstarter or Indiegogo.
I mentor startups in applying good product management processes to help them make better decisions.
Congratulations! Your constraints are actually a blessing in disguise. Without the team or funding, you are left with basically one option which just happens to be the most valuable part of the process. Find someone that needs your device. Sell them on the idea. Get them to give you some form of currency, preferably cash. Even better, convince them to pay you to build the product while you retain all of the IP rights.
Get through all of that, and you will find that getting funding is a more approachable problem.
Related Questions
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I have been developing an idea on my own for sometime now. Recently,a potential competitor has surfaced. Should I reach out to them? What should I do?
Here are your options: You can only compete with them If you're able to either: A) Get a programmer: - Either raise necessary funds to hire one full time. See my answer on ("When is the right moment to approach investors?") - Use your own funds to hire a freelancer. See my answer on ("How do I get my game from Prototype to Demo?") - Or convince a developer to join you as a cofounder for equity. See my answers on that topic ("Where do I find a co-founder to join my team?" --And-- "How and or where do I find a stellar Partner/CEO") B) Learn how to program it yourself, and program it yourself - Either have enough time and motivation to learn programming fast enough (could be very difficult, depending on how far along you are, and what you're trying to program) - Or there are several methods you can potentially use (depending on the complexity of the app you need) to make an MVP without programming. For instance MIT App Inventor (http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/), or Marvel App (https://marvelapp.com/) Otherwise: A) Either see if you can join the competition. If you contact them and can convince them that you have something to contribute, they might let you join the team. See my answer on that topic ("How do I approach a business with an idea?") B) Or come up with another idea, and see if you can do steps A or B before someone else starts implementing the same idea Send me a message if you want to discuss any of these, or other options in more depth. In any case, I wish you the best of luck, LeeLV
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Which materials act as shield against EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation) coming from laptops and mobile phones?
Well, that's a first. I don't usually answer questions here on Clarity.fm with my electrical engineer hat on. Shielding materials vary depending on the frequency distribution of EM waves emanating from the source. The same medium will have a greater or lesser attenuating effect for high and low frequencies – e.g. microwaves and radio waves. Also, energy will dissipate across distance even in a vacuum. The government uses more robust computers that are insulated against electromagnetic leakage, since keyboard signals can be externally tapped, giving away passwords. Plastics are used. So is copper mesh for RF shielding – though not for microwave frequencies. The range of suitable materials is actually quite extensive, and multiple substances may need to be utilized in combination, depending on the frequency distribution. Thickness is a factor as well, obviously. Hire an electrical engineering student to evaluate the frequency spectrum emanating from your target devices. The student ought to be able to suggest materials and design shielding to reduce energy levels below any desired threshold. One of my professors was involved with mathematical simulations of EM penetration into child brains during the early days of cell phones. (Kids have less shielding, since their ears and skull are smaller. SWell, that's a first. I don't usually answer questions here on Clarity.fm with my electrical engineer hat on. Shielding materials vary depending on the frequency distribution of EM waves emanating from the source. The same medium will have a greater or lesser attenuating effect for high and low frequencies – e.g. microwaves and radio waves. Also, energy will dissipate across distance even in a vacuum. The government uses more robust computers that are insulated against electromagnetic leakage, since keyboard signals can be externally tapped, giving away passwords. Plastics are used. So is copper mesh for RF shielding – though not for microwave frequencies. The range of suitable materials is actually quite extensive, and multiple substances may need to be utilized in combination, depending on the frequency distribution. Thickness is a factor as well, obviously. Hire an electrical engineering student to evaluate the frequency spectrum emanating from your target devices. The student ought to be able to suggest materials and design shielding to reduce energy levels below any desired threshold. One of my professors was involved with mathematical simulations of EM penetration into child brains during the early days of cell phones. (Kids have less shielding, since their ears and skull are smaller. So the industry standards are based on such small heads as the limiting case.)JP
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I am a non tech entrepreneur desperately trying to find answer to highly technical and nuanced questions on the cheap.
The best way would be to hire an expert on oDesk, etc. which is fairly cheap and also reliable. But It sounds like you want to go even cheaper than that. Try posting on StackExchange, which is free. Another cheap option is to check local Meetup.com tech gatherings in your area and ask some experts directly for free advice. Good luck!II
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What is the most accurate Image Recognition API out there?
AFAIK Moodstocks rocks!AJ
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How does Fancy use Apple In-App-Purchases? Apple's TOS says this isn't allowed?
Not knowing exactly the violation you are speaking of, there could be two possible reasons for this: 1. Apple is aware of the alternative use of their platform and allows Fancy to use their system in a method that violates their TOS because of the volume of transactions and their communications with Apple. 2. Apple has not yet detected the violation and/or the violation has not been reported to Apple.NN
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