Building Niska – The Reality of Hardware Startups and Grants

​​​💬 Language: THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD IN RUSSIAN. Prefer an English-speaking event? Let us know here and we’ll notify you about the next one.

​Building a startup is never one-size-fits-all. The playbooks that fuel software growth look entirely different from those required in the capital-intensive, high-stakes world of physical hardware and robotics.

​For this KANGARU session, we are sitting down with Anton and Katerina from Niska for an open, practical discussion on physical product creation, securing grants, and what really happens behind the scenes when bringing hardware to market.

​Anton and Katerina bring a unique perspective on the physical product lifecycle. They designed and engineered an automated robotic ice cream retail system, testing early prototypes at Federation Square before launching commercial operations and navigating international investments.

​What we will cover:
- Software vs Hardware Realities: The trade-offs between building digital products and manufacturing physical robotics in a commercial environment.
- Funding the Build: Practical insights on securing Australian grants and navigating international investments for capital-intensive projects.
- Cost vs Reliability: How to balance the drive for cheaper offshore manufacturing with the need for strict operational reliability.
- Practical Founder Lessons: Frameworks for surviving crisis points, managing external partnerships, and protecting your technical vision.

​Event Details Format: Fireside chat followed by open Q&A and networking