Orla Lucey on Early-Stage HW Operations Excellence, Supply Chain, Tariffs, Growth & Culture

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ShopTalk w/ Conduit Ventures

Conduit Venture Labs Inc.

4 episodes

2 days ago

Conversations with the Tech Pioneers Behind the Physical Products and Services That Define Us We talk with the investors, engineers, designers and operators of the past and future. From the first computers to AI powered medical devices, semiconductors and quantum computing, meet the innovators behind the tools and technologies that shape our world. These are the stories of the builders powering the real-world, physical-tech we use, wear and rely on every single day.

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Entrepreneurship

Technology,

Business

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Orla Lucey on Early-Stage HW Operations Excellence, Supply Chain, Tariffs, Growth & Culture

ShopTalk w/ Conduit Ventures

1 hour 3 minutes 6 seconds

1 month ago

Orla Lucey on Early-Stage HW Operations Excellence, Supply Chain, Tariffs, Growth & Culture

In this conversation, Orla Lucey (Analog Devices, August Locks, Latch....) shares her extensive journey through the world of hardware startups, discussing her early experiences in engineering, the transition to startups, and the critical role of supply chain management in product development. She emphasizes the importance of team dynamics, cash flow management, and adapting to changing demands in the hardware industry.

Orla also highlights the impact of AI on hardware and her current work in fractional leadership, providing valuable insights for aspiring founders in the hardware space.

Takeaways

Orla's upbringing instilled a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.
Her experience at Analog Devices taught her the importance of communication across teams.
Startups provide invaluable learning experiences, especially in failure.
Cash flow management is crucial for hardware startups due to long lead times.
A closed-loop sales and operations planning process is essential for success.
Team dynamics and culture significantly impact startup growth and success.
AI is transforming the hardware landscape, creating new opportunities.
Fractional leadership allows for flexibility and exposure to multiple startups.
Understanding demand and market dynamics is vital for product success.
Building diverse teams leads to better problem-solving and innovation.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Orla Lucey and Her Journey
02:57 Early Influences and Career Beginnings
06:07 Experience at Analog Devices
09:10 Transition to Startups and Learning from Failure
12:00 Joining August Home and the IoT Revolution
15:02 The Role of Design in Product Development
18:15 Scaling Challenges and Team Dynamics
20:57 Cultural Impact on Startup Success
23:57 Leadership and Organizational Growth
26:49 Diversity and Team Composition in Hardware Development
31:28 Identifying Customer Problems and Solutions
34:07 The Value of Startups in Learning Experiences
36:30 Fractional Leadership and Its Benefits
39:32 Exploring Deep Tech Innovations
41:26 The Intersection of AI and Supply Chain
45:33 Key Insights for Founders in Hardware Startups