Hardware Startup School

This program is designed for young makers who already have a working prototype and are ready to take the next big leap — turning it into a product that can live in the real world.

It’s a perfect fit if you are:

• An Innovation School alum who wants to go beyond building and explore product development, manufacturing, branding, and crowdfunding.
   
• A maker who has built a prototype (through school projects, maker labs, competitions, or self-learning) and wants structured guidance to refine, test, and launch it.

In short: If you’ve built something cool and now want to make it real, this track is for you.

That’s okay! You just need a basic, working version of your idea. The goal of this program is to refine that prototype, test it with users, and evolve it into a usable product. It’s a journey from version 0.5 to MVP 1.0!

Our program is completely online, allowing you to participate from anywhere in the world. 

In the 12th week (March 25–28, 2026), we host an optional 4-day residency in Goa. This includes final pitch presentations, in-person mentor sessions, and hands-on prototyping with your cohort. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory — if you can’t make it to Goa, you can still fully participate and present online.

We support a wide range of hardware-focused ideas — from sustainability tools and wearable devices to health tech and smart home gadgets. If your project involves physical making and solving real-world problems, you’re in the right place.

You’ll take your prototype through multiple iterations, design for manufacturing, and develop a full go-to-market strategy. By the end, you’ll learn how to create a refined MVP, a brand story, and a draft crowdfunding campaign.

You’ll learn in weekly live sessions from experts in the hardware, design space, build with peers during group studios, and get personal support through small group mentor check-ins. The final pitch & presentattions will be made to the Steering Committe which includes real hardware entrepreneurs, VCs, incubators who may offer internships, mentorships, jobs or even early investment to your product idea.

No. You can apply as an individual. Team formation happens during Week 1 of the program, based on your project theme (e.g., health, energy, IoT, accessibility). You'll be grouped with other alumni working on complementary ideas or skills.

Expect to spend 5–7 hours per week on the program. This includes:

• 2 hours for live sessions
• 2 hours for group studio work
• 1–2 hours for mentorship, feedback, or working on your deliverables
• You can pace your hands-on prototyping as per your schedule, with support from mentors and peers.

Live sessions are highly recommended for collaboration, but recordings will be available. Mentor check-ins and studios are scheduled flexibly to accommodate different time zones.

Basic prototyping tools (like Arduino, soldering iron, cardboard, hand tools) are helpful. If you don’t have access to something, we’ll guide you with low-cost or digital alternatives and support remote prototyping where possible.

Level 1 focused on creative exploration, play, and problem discovery. Level 2 is more structured and entrepreneurial. Here, you’ll learn to refine, scale, and prepare your product for real users and markets.

You’ll leave with learnings on how create a launch-ready prototype, pitch deck, and potential crowdfunding campaign. You’ll also be eligible for internships, advanced maker tracks, and early-stage startup support through our partner ecosystem.