This episode digs into incubators vs. accelerators for hardware founders, featuring Raphaele Leyendecker, Managing Director at Techstars Sustainability Paris, climate-tech entrepreneur, and investor in 75+ startups.

If you’ve wondered when to join which program—and how to actually get value without wrecking your cap table—this one’s for you. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🐣 Incubator vs. accelerator—what’s the difference, and when to choose each (incl. TRL ≥ 4 guidance for hardware).

📈 Traction over fundraising: LOIs, paid pilots, and revenue beat pitch-only decks.

🧱 Build vs. outsource: how to avoid outsourcing your core know-how and protect IP.

💸 Equity & terms: when dilution is worth it, and how to evaluate program fit (incl. market expansion).

🚫 Common pitfalls: accelerator-hopping, joining too early, fantasy timelines.

🔁 Pivoting & solo founders: when pivots make sense; why solo is OK only with a real team.

👉 If you’re a hardware founder, engineer, or product builder, this one’s packed with battle-tested advice, real stories, and frameworks to help you build better.

This episode is generously brought to you by our sponsor Onshape, the only cloud-native product development platform. Onshape combines professional-grade CAD with built-in PDM and real-time collaboration tools—all in one system, with no downloads required. Through the Onshape Startup Program, eligible hardware startups receive free access to Onshape Professional for one year, including integrated CAM. Apply now at onshape.pro/thebuildercircle.

This episode is brought to you by Scale For ClimateTech, empowering climate tech companies to scale from prototype to production.

Building a climate tech hardware startup? Ready to move from prototype to scalable manufacturing?

Scale For ClimateTech is now accepting applications for Cohort 7. This free, 6-month program connects you with hands-on manufacturing training, direct supply chain access, and one-on-one support from over 40 industry experts.

They've supported 102 climate tech companies on their scaling journey. Companies like Voltpost and Amogy have leveraged New York State's advanced manufacturing ecosystem to accelerate commercialization.

Applications close November 14th. Learn more and apply at https://forclimatetech.org/scale-for-climatetech/

Scale For ClimateTech is supported by NYSERDA and administered by SecondMuse in partnership with NextCorps.

DISCLAIMER The Builder Circle by Pratik” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts and guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes related to the application of this content.

This episode is all about navigating the complex world of tariffs and global trade compliance for hardware startups, featuring Gabrielle Griffith, Director at BPE Global, a leading trade compliance consulting firm. Gabrielle brings 20+ years of experience helping companies of all sizes manage the risks, costs, and surprises of international trade.

If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs, HTS codes, and country of origin rules really impact your hardware business, this is the episode for you. In this episode, you’ll discover:

🛃 The fundamentals of tariffs, HTS codes, and why getting your classifications right is critical. 🌍 How country of origin and “substantial transformation” can make or break your supply chain strategy.

🤝 The real impact (and limitations) of free trade agreements like USMCA for hardware companies.

🚩 Common misconceptions on tariffs that can get startups in trouble.

💡 Practical strategies, scenario planning, and real-world horror stories to help you avoid costly mistakes.

📦 How to work with customs brokers, document your supply chain, and keep your business audit-ready.

⚠️ What to do when things go wrong—plus the fines, penalties, and legal risks you need to know about.

🔎 Why scenario analysis and proactive planning are essential in today’s fast-changing trade environment.

👉 If you’re a hardware founder, engineer, or anyone involved in building and shipping physical products, this episode is packed with actionable advice, cautionary tales, and frameworks to help you stay compliant and competitive.

Please don't forget to share, rate and like the podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

Music by: Tom Stoke

#hardwarestartups #hardwaredevelopment #supplychain #supplychainmanagement

DISCLAIMER "The Builder Circle” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.

This episode is all about hardware, with none other than Jon Hirschtick, the mind behind SolidWorks and Onshape (onshape.pro/thebuildercircle). Jon has spent his career building the tools that engineers use to design, prototype, and ship world-changing products. We dug into the ethos of hardware development, what it takes to earn your seat in the engineering workflow, and how software can unlock (or block) real innovation in hardware. In this episode, you'll discover:

⚙️ How to turn a product idea into a real-world innovation.

⚙️ Jon Hirschtick’s untold parts of the journey (SolidWorks & Onshape) + lessons from building world-changing tools.

⚙️ Why customer needs—not wants—are the true foundation of great products.

⚙️How to uncover real problems vs. surface-level requests.

⚙️ Strategies to earn your seat in the engineering workflow & drive adoption.

⚙️ Why usage trumps sales when proving product-market fit.

⚙️ Smarter ways to size markets & avoid founder pitfalls.

⚙️ How humility, curiosity, and customer visits fuel innovation.

⚙️ Why failure sits right next to success (and how to iterate fast).

⚙️ The 3 must-have software types every hardware team needs.

⚙️ Lightning takes on open APIs, modeling approaches, building in public vs. stealth, and more.

👉 If you’re a hardware founder, engineer, or product builder, this one’s packed with battle-tested advice, real stories, and frameworks to help you build better.

This episode is generously brought to you by our sponsor Onshape, the only cloud-native product development platform. Onshape combines professional-grade CAD with built-in PDM and real-time collaboration tools—all in one system, with no downloads required. Through the Onshape Startup Program, eligible hardware startups receive free access to Onshape Professional for one year, including integrated CAM. Apply now at onshape.pro/thebuildercircle.

Please don't forget to share, rate and like the podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

Music by: Tom Stoke

DISCLAIMER The Builder Circle by Pratik” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts and guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of this content.