15. Business

Lars Zimmermann

“The business model of open source hardware? You won’t believe how boring it is. We sell products for more than they cost.”

—Chris Anderson; in his OH Summit talk 2012, “Microeconomics for Makers: Business Models for the New Industrial Revolution”

This chapter guides you through a variety of business models fit for open source hardware and open design. We start with some remarks about the obvious natural business model that comes with hardware and the importance of the brand. The chapter then presents and explains the Open Source Hardware Business Model Matrix, a tool that aims to help people ask the right questions and research answers while figuring out their business model for open source hardware. Company quotes ...

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