The document discusses the Maker Movement and how technology and the internet have enabled tinkerers to become Makers. Key developments like the Arduino microcontroller in 2005, desktop 3D printing in 2007, and cheap IoT technology in 2012 gave Makers powerful tools previously only available to experts. Online communities also help Makers overcome challenges by collaborating worldwide. While crowdfunding has provided initial funding, hardware accelerators now fill gaps in experience and continued support needed for success. As a result, many Makers are now starting their own successful hardware startups.

1. Maker Movement
Sam Wurzel
CEO, co-founder
Octopart

2. “Makers”
• January 2005 - Make Magazine Published by
O’Reilly Media
• Makers = Tinkerers x Technology x Internet
There's nothing new about tinkerers. We as a species
have been tinkering for half a million years. What's new
is technology and the internet. These new phenomena
are turning tinkerers into Makers.

3. Well Known Tinkerers
Some well known electrical and electronics tinkerers
from the past few centuries: Edison, Tesla, Bell,
Marconi, Hewlett and Packard, Wozniak and Jobs.

4. Technology
• Arduino - 2005
• Desktop 3D Printing - 2007
• IoT Technology - 2012
Arduino, Desktop 3D printing, and cheap IoT
technology have given Makers superpowers that were
previously the domain of experts and large companies.

5. Technology
Development Boards
Development boards have proliferated and
drastically lowered the barriers to get working
prototypes up and running.

6. Internet
On the internet side, Makers from all over the world
are helping each other overcome challenges that
would have stymied individuals working on their own.

7. Crowd Funding
2012 2013 2014
Crowd funding is making capital available to Makers
with an idea and the ability to communicate it to the
world. However, an initial injection of money to a
project does not always translate to success.

8. Hardware Accelerators
Innocon
Hardware accelerators have recognized the
shortcomings of crowd funding and are filling the
gaps in experience and funding.

9. Hardware Startups
• Nest
• FitBit
• Oculus
• Pebble
• Canary
• + lots more
Here's the takeaway: Tinkerers are becoming Makers,
and Makers are becoming Maker Pros and starting
hardware startups.

10. Thanks!
• Sam Wurzel
• sam@octopart.com
• @swurzel