City of Fremont: Describe the Dragon model—what are the core elements of your program?

Dragon Innovation is the fastest, safest, and simplest way to start and scale manufacturing. We’ve supported some of the best names in hardware, such as Pebble, Makerbot, Ring, and hundreds more. Our proven process, delivered through a combination of technology and human expertise, enables teams to move at entrepreneur speed. Pre-manufacturing packages include cost estimation, sourcing, and design for manufacturing reviews. We have a framework for factory selection through a competitive RFQ process, drawing on our database of vetted contract manufacturers. Once a factory is selected, we can provide on-the-ground production oversight, including NPI support, cost-down, quality up, and project management.

Fremont: What trends are you observing—any sectors or industries that are really taking the lead?

We’re seeing early but strong growth in the Human Machine Interface, Pet, and Food and Beverage categories. Examples include:

  • Kuvee – reinventing the way wine is delivered and enjoyed
  • PetNet – A smartfeeder for dogs and cats.
  • Jibo – Social Robot
  • Echo – Alexa voice interface

Fremont: Programs like Dragon have made great progress in establishing a formal support structure for hardware development. What’s your take on the ‘hardware revolution’ we are currently experiencing—is this just the beginning?

We look at the hardware revolution as falling into two phases. Phase 1, which encompasses idea to prototype, began about 7 years ago with the advent of low cost 3D printing, the ability to share files, electronics prototyping kits, and crowdfunding. We’re now entering Phase 2: prototype to production. We’re still at the beginning, but we’re excited by the massive growth (0 up to $10B wholesale value over the last 5 years, according to the CTA). We’re really excited for what comes next, and the ability to help both entrepreneurs and factories simplify the manufacturing process through improved customer experiences and tools.

Fremont: Does Silicon Valley have a special role to play in this movement, given the tremendous amount of software development in the region, the other half of IoT?

We’re seeing significant emerging tech and hardware growth worldwide, but especially in Silicon Valley. As companies form and ramp up their volume, there are significant advantages to being able to manufacture locally.

Fremont: What part(s) of the hardware development ecosystem are lagging behind? Where are the big voids still for these companies?

There are still several manufacturing challenges that need to be solved, and are a focus for Dragon. To list a few:

  • Selecting a great manufacturing partner.
  • Preparing a professional grade bill of materials (BOM)
  • Understanding cost, quality and schedule
  • Project management
  • Communications.
  • Design for manufacturability and assembly
  • Preparing the manufacturing service agreement

We are excited to play a role in educating other companies, in addition to creating better experiences and new value streams for all members of the ecosystem!