81 Why investor concerns over hardware are overblown with Damon Bonser of British Design Fund

Hardware startups have often struggled to get funding, but Damon Bonser of British Design Fund is trying to change that. In this episode, he talks about his experiences and how hardware can be more attractive than many investors think.

The first half of our discussion focusses on how companies can mitigate risk. Damon discusses how he avoids investing in a warehouse of unsold goods, focussing instead on more normal VC ideas of satisfying customer needs by getting the product into their hands early on.

We discuss how and when companies should tool up and start production. We also talk about where, with Damon highlighting how reshoring into the UK is starting again, especially post-pandemic. We also talk about intellectual property and how to protect it.

Links

British Design Fund website - https://www.britishdesignfund.co.uk/

Subscribe to the EIS Navigator podcast on most services here: https://the-eis-navigator.captivate.fm/listen

Suggested book

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed

Bio

Damon Bonser

CEO, British Design Fund

Damon Bonser is the Founder and CEO of the British Design Fund. A serial entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience building and running product development and manufacturing businesses.