From Idea to Startup: The Journey of Microaware and the Sandwizz Breadboard

Time: Wednesday, 11th December, 16:30 – 18:00
Place: Alsion, M304-M307 (go to the main entrance and take lift to the 3^rd floor)
Sign-up: Sunday, 8th October, 23:45

Sandwiches will be served, if you have special dietary needs then you can order a chicken or vegetarian sandwich by sending an email to Krzysztof (krzys@mmmi.sdu.dk)

Topic: From Idea to Startup: The Journey of Microaware and the Sandwizz Breadboard

Description

At Microaware, we’ve created more than just a product – we’ve built a startup journey. In this talk, we share the story of how the Sandwizz Breadboard evolved from a simple idea to a successful Kickstarter project, now ready for its first production series. The Sandwizz Breadboard is designed for engineers, makers, and students, making it easier and faster to bring ideas to life, especially in the fields of embedded software and electronics.
We’ll begin by sharing how we decided to partner on this venture, sitting down to develop a detailed business plan and exploring various go-to-market strategies. These included seeking funding through the Innovation Fund, but ultimately, we chose Kickstarter crowdfunding as the best path for our product.
A significant part of our journey has been navigating the world of crowdfunding. We’ll discuss our efforts in building a campaign structure around the Kickstarter platform, including creating a website, producing YouTube videos, and running targeted promotions. We’ll share our experiences preparing long before the campaign launch and managing the intense 45-day campaign period, which required full focus on everything from daily updates to engaging with backers.
We’ll also dive into the technical side of the product’s development. From the early prototypes, created both before and after founding the company, to the small pilot production run that validated the product’s readiness for market. This validation has paved the way for our first full production series, which will be delivered to our backers in January.
Finally, we’ll share our future plans. We’re already working on scaling the concept through strategic distribution partnerships and further product development. This talk provides an honest and authentic look at what it takes to bring an idea from concept to market – technically, strategically, and mentally.
Whether you’re a student, engineer, maker, or simply curious about the startup journey, this talk will provide valuable insights into innovation, resilience, and the process of turning an idea into reality.

Who are we?

Tommy Bjerre Nielsen, Co-founder and CEO
As a driving force in the inception of Microaware®, ​Tommy has applied his 32 years of experience and his ​education in Electrical Engineering to shape the ​company’s direction. His visionary thinking led to the ​creation of the Sandwizz Breadboard concept, a ​groundbreaking product in the electronics industry.
He is pivotal in Microaware’s growth and innovation.

René Lynge, Co-founder and advisor
Built on a technical background within innovation and hardcore product development, René brings a broad business experience with a proven track record at top management and board level.
René holds a Bachelor Degree in Electronics Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Organization and Management).