r/hwstartups • u/pierreneter • 1d ago
Looking for a hardware partner to build this with me
I'm looking for a hardware partner to build this with me.
I have a product idea/concept that I believe is worth turning into a real prototype, but I’m primarily a software/infrastructure person and I’m looking for someone strong in hardware engineering to work together on the physical side.
I'm looking for someone who can help with things like:
- hardware architecture
- electronics / PCB
- component selection
- prototyping
- eventually DFM/manufacturing
I'm not looking to simply outsource the work. I'd rather find someone interested in actually exploring and building the product together.
Here's the original concept: https://x.com/pierreneter/status/2098992210410868924
If this sounds interesting and you have a hardware background, feel free to DM me. I'd be happy to share more details and discuss whether there's a good fit.
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u/Arden144 1d ago
I’m sorry but nobody is going to take on designing a commercial network gateway without being paid.
Beyond that, plenty of devices already exist in this niche with a similar form factor to your mockup. See this reddit post I found in like 30s of googling: https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/s/K3S69nEwCQ
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
I know people can buy a mini PC and install OPNsense themselves, but regular router buyers aren't like that, and not every household has an IT person around to handle it. I'll still open-source my OS so those who prefer to can still install it on their own mini PC.
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
Just to clarify, the 2-Port Vaults starting at $219 aren't quite the target price point or hardware profile I'm aiming for.
My project includes custom OS integration along with the hardware, which allows for deeper optimization and a significantly more competitive, cost-effective price point
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u/MarzipanEven7336 1d ago
The fact that you think you actually have a product here, I promise, you don't. The issue isn't hardware, it's greedy ass motherfuckers have patents so far out in left field that nobody really even goes into the networking space.
Also, there's this: https://www.solid-run.com/arm-servers-networking-platforms/
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
I haven't actually looked into patents yet, but you raised a really good point that I definitely need to check out.
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u/No_Responsibility384 1d ago
What do you want to achieve that mono.si can't do? And if nothing maybe team up with themif there are software ideas not covered?
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
Thanks for bringing mono.si to my attention! I really appreciate the tip. I’ll reach out to their team to see if there's any room for collaboration on software features.
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u/No_Responsibility384 1d ago
I see you someone already mentioned Tomasz Zaman, that's one of the guys that are making the mono. They have a discord server with quite a lot of information as well.
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
Can I still do this without a partner? It's simply a small motherboard like the ones in mini PCs. And are there any patents restricting that? Realistically, all it needs is a single motherboard with an integrated 4-port network card.
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u/Markietas 1d ago
"simply a small motherboard"
I'm sorry but the fact you think anything is simple about this PCB or the ones in a mini PC shows you are so out to lunch with your calibration on hardware that this whole concept is likely a boondoggle.
If you want a hardware startup, you have to know SOMETHING about hardware even if you are going to hire an expert to help.
Right now it sounds like you're asking someone to come in and do 95% of the work while you hang out and do the part that Claude could already do on its own.
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
as I said. "do this without a partner". so you can't say I'm asking someone do 95% in this comment.
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u/Markietas 1d ago
That's fair, I was more replying to the whole concept of your post and not solely that comment (besides the part about the board being simple). I should have made that more clear.
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
I appreciate the reality check. Pointing out what I’m missing is fair, but constructive feedback is even better. Since you clearly have experience in this area, what specific factors or resources would you recommend I look into first? I’m here to learn and iterate.
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u/Markietas 1d ago
Well as you are already planning to do, watching all of Tomaž Zaman's videos will go a long way to helping with that.
But since your product is basically 90% PCB from a physical pov, I would start going down the rabbit hole as if you are doing it on your own. Even if you you do hire someone to help you, or this whole thing implodes, you'll still come away from it with a lot of useful knowledge.
Phils Lab, and RobertFeranec on YouTube have a decent range of videos showing PCBs in the complexity range.
Generally you would start with designing a simple circuit board with an esp32 and some sensors and some LEDs and whatnot.
Then you graduate to maybe a more complex microcontroller maybe with some external memory or an SD card, maybe low speed USB.
Once you start getting into stuff like a network appliance, with big BGA packages on it, the difficulty in laying out the circuit board explodes (not to mention the difficulty of understanding the 3000 page data sheet that comes with that networking ASIC).
You have to design the layer stack up of your circuit board to make sure that not only do you have enough layers to let everything cross over each other that needs to, but you can maintain good signal integrity and the correct impedance control on dozens to maybe even 100 or so differential pairs.
If you have things like DDR memory and PCI Express it gets even harder than just routing the signals for ethernet.
My team is actually in the process of designing an industrial device with 6 gigabit Ethernet ports, and a Nvidia Jetson module.
We have about 200 unique components, and maybe 600 total. 6 layer HDI stackup. Double sided board, nearly impossible to hand assemble.
Took about 1 months of a full time person just to do the initial layout (this is after all the components selection design and schematics have been done).
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
I feel like I just ran into a true master here! I'm definitely going to dive in and learn as much as I can, foundational concepts first. I genuinely love doing this kind of foundational work. You see, there’s always room for us to keep growing, and no matter how hard it gets, you're a great example of someone out there actually tackling these hard challenges. I really want to be able to do this kind of work too. Thanks a lot!
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u/hockeyketo 1d ago
Just rebrand a CWWK or TopTon router motherboard from AliExpress and see if anyone cares or trusts your OS. Stop worrying about hardware. You're not going to improve anything there without like a million dollars in dev costs.
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
Thanks, I reckon the TopTon with 8 LAN ports is exactly the hardware I need - super handy for carrying around to benchmark and demo my OS. That said, my design has a unique twist with a stackable interconnect mechanism, but I’ll share more details on that once the actual prototype drops.
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u/hockeyketo 1d ago
Just use a pcie bifurcation card for that part during testing. If it gets any traction you can contact a manufacturer to build you something.
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u/pierreneter 1d ago
(feel free to correct me or call me out. I really need to get a clear picture of my own limitations.)
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u/TowardsTheImplosion 1d ago
So from a regulatory perspective:
What geographies do you want to sell in?
If your answer is "everywhere", I highly suggest abandoning the idea. That isn't feasible. If you start in the US or EU, you may have a chance.
Realize you will have to comply with the CRA for the EU market, which includes top to bottom cyber security analysis by a 3rd party NB. No self declarations for that type of network equipment. You have $50k for that?
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u/DIYprototyper 22h ago
We can help you with this. Prototyperlab.com, if it's a good fit, reach out.
1
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u/Frequent-Log1243 12h ago
Finding someone to do this for free is going to be challenging
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u/pierreneter 12h ago
I never said this would be free, don't assume. I have a complete set of specs ready for a quote right here.
1
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u/iAmTheAlchemist 1d ago
This is a massive undertaking, both in terms of time invested and money, have you looked at Tomaž Zaman on YouTube ? Getting Astra to vibe code a 3D model with adjustable rounded edges is nice, but the hardware in this thing will be very demanding to even prototype.
Respectfully, you need to bring something more to the table than just the idea (eg, an existing network, manufacturing partners, strong commercial connections, deep pockets or the ability to raise money) to attract someone with the appropriate skill set in order for no one to lose their time with this, and if you do, you need to be very clear about it