89. Jack Garza, SVB - The State of Hardware-as-a-Service
Jul 1, 2024
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Jack Garza, an expert from Silicon Valley Bank, dives into the fascinating world of Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS). He discusses the evolving definition of HaaS and shares insights from SVB's recent research report. Jack highlights significant trends in venture capital investments, revealing a rise in funding at the seed stage. He emphasizes crucial metrics for success in this ecosystem and the importance of building meaningful partnerships within the industry. With a keen eye on future projections, he addresses the challenges and opportunities facing hardware innovators today.
Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) represents a significant shift from ownership to subscription models, emphasizing recurring revenue for hardware companies.
Despite a decline in overall venture capital investment, interest in hardware startups, particularly at the seed stage, has surged due to its proven long-term value.
Deep dives
The Rise of Hardware as a Service
The concept of Hardware as a Service (HaaS) is defined as hardware companies generating recurring revenue through subscription models. This model marks a shift from traditional ownership, where customers purchase equipment outright, to a system where part of the price is bundled into a subscription. The updated methodology demonstrates that the barriers to entry for hardware companies have decreased, spurred by advancements in automation and a surge in demand for industrial machines. Investors are increasingly recognizing the value of HaaS companies, leading to a notable increase in revenue multiples compared to other frontier tech companies.
Investment Trends in Frontier Tech
Despite a general decline in venture capital investment, interest in frontier tech—especially hardware—has remained steady. The report reveals that while overall VC investment has decreased by about 50%, hardware startups have seen a resurgence, particularly in the seed stage, where capital allocation is at a four-year high. This consistent investor interest reflects a growing recognition of the long-lasting value of hardware solutions, even amidst challenging tech budgets. Sectors such as climate tech and defense are particularly driving this trend, indicating a solid belief in significant future returns from hardware innovation.
Navigating the Metrics for Success
Understanding the critical metrics for a successful hardware business is essential for founders. The report highlights the importance of the payback period, indicating that it typically takes around 15 months for machines to pay off their initial costs, varying significantly based on machine complexity. Founders are advised to structure contracts to cover these upfront costs, as the average return on contracts can reach 1.6 times the initial investment. Additionally, establishing best practices for tracking metrics over time is vital for assessing long-term viability and adjusting strategies efficiently as the business evolves.
Jack outlines how Silicon Valley Bank defines Hardware-as-a-Service and why SVB produces research on this business model, shares what the key lessons learned were and the macro trends identified in this 2nd edition of this research report, details how Hardware-as-a-Service investing stacks up against the broader VC deals and dollars dropoff (hint: VCs at the steed stage have increased investment over the last 2 years!), and finally shares “Metrics that Matter” that SVB identified as critical to building a successful and healthy business in this ecosystem.
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