197: Go From Hardware Startup to Scale Up

12-10-2023 • 23 mins

Roland Siebelink, with a background in scaling companies from 10 to over 1000 employees, started his journey in the 90s with internet hardware. With over 30 years of experience, he's aided numerous hardware startups and tech firms in transitioning from startup to scale-up. As the CEO of Midstage Institute for almost 8 years, he specializes in helping startups grow. Today, Roland will share insights for inventors, startups, and small manufacturers on the timing of transitioning from startup to scale-up, navigating high-growth transformations, and ensuring success in scale-up hardware companies.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

Transitioning from a startup to a hardware scale-up
The growth journey of a new product development company
Identifying the right time to stop acting like a startup
Shifting focus from exploration to exploitation when traction is visible
The potency of a small proof of market for new hardware brands
Prioritizing growth and exploitation in scale-ups, not just exploration
Recognizing that gaining traction as an inventor is just the beginning of the scaling process
Emphasizing the building of a business, not just a product
Consider involving someone with a scaling mindset for technical or inventor-focused roles
Transition from being the smartest person in the room to hiring even smarter people
Acknowledging the non-binary transition from startup to full-scale corporation with a middle stage
Implementing processes as a means to scale efficiently
Utilizing the 80/20 principle to achieve optimal results
Maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit during mid-stage growth
Leveraging the competitive advantage of being a lean startup with a strong vision
Avoid launching a second business prematurely
Identifying opportunities within a small niche in a larger market
Initial focus on visionaries and early adopters within the market segment.