Example milestone plan
An example plan for a hardware gadget dream with a goal of €45,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
€9,000 · 20%
Prove the key function
Post a bench demonstration, a component shortlist and measured results showing the gadget’s main function in a basic prototype.
Milestone 2
€11,250 · 25%
Refine the physical design
Share enclosure drawings, revised circuit photos and assembly notes showing fit checks and changes from the first prototype.
Milestone 3
€18,000 · 40%
Build the pilot batch
Upload pilot unit photos, supplier invoices and a build record tracking assembly issues and component substitutions.
Milestone 4
€6,750 · 15%
Complete reliability checks
Post test logs, inspection photos and final assembly instructions with a summary of unresolved limits and planned support.
- 01
Build your dream
Write your story, add photos and set milestones as a private draft. When you are ready, publish with a monthly membership; every dream is reviewed before it goes live.
- 02
Reach Backers who want to help
Published dreams appear in the swipe feed, where Backers browse by category, save the ones they like and chat with you before they give.
- 03
Get paid as you deliver
Backers can support your dream milestone by milestone. Post proof when a step is done; Backers review your progress and send their support directly to your payment method, with cohero taking 0% commission.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a hardware gadget dream in Lyon, shown in EUR. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
€45,000
- Design and prototype iterations€11,250 · 25%
- Components tooling and pilot production€20,250 · 45%
- Testing and design verification€9,000 · 20%
- Packaging and support preparation€4,500 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- €45,000
- 0% platform commission
- −€6,750
- You receive
- €38,250
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Parts become unavailable
A chosen component may disappear before the pilot build. Record suitable alternatives during design work and leave budget for checking substitutions before ordering a batch.
- R2
Enclosure fit problems
A circuit that works on a bench may not fit its case or connectors. Use the second milestone for physical fit checks before committing the largest share to pilot production.
- R3
Pilot units fail testing
Repeated use may expose faults absent from a single demonstration. Define reliability checks before the pilot build and retain testing budget for inspection and redesign work.
Questions and answers
Can I raise support before I know the final unit design?
Show the function you have demonstrated and the design questions still open. Separate prototype refinement from pilot production so Backers can review fit checks before the largest manufacturing commitment.
Is a pilot batch the same as being ready for mass production?
No. A pilot batch helps reveal assembly problems, component issues and testing needs at a limited scale. State its intended size and evidence clearly without presenting it as proof that larger production is ready.
Who can fund a hardware gadget dream in Lyon?
Anyone with a clear goal, honest milestones and the proof to show for them. Every dream is reviewed before it goes live to keep the feed safe for Backers.
Ready when you are
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