- 01
Lead with the outcome
Your headline should name the result, not the struggle. Say what you will finish and when. A strong headline fits on one line and makes a stranger curious enough to open the story.
- 02
Tell it in three short parts
Who you are, what you are making and why now. A few plain sentences each. Never promise what you cannot prove later; Backers give to a person, so let your own voice come through.
- 03
Show, then ask
Add real photos of you and your work. Link each milestone to the proof you will post. End with a clear ask: what the first milestone needs and what Backers will see when it is done.
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.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a hardware gadget dream with a goal of CN¥330,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
CN¥66,000 · 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
CN¥82,500 · 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
CN¥132,000 · 40%
Build the pilot batch
Upload pilot unit photos, supplier invoices and a build record tracking assembly issues and component substitutions.
Milestone 4
CN¥49,500 · 15%
Complete reliability checks
Post test logs, inspection photos and final assembly instructions with a summary of unresolved limits and planned support.
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.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a hardware gadget dream in Hangzhou, shown in CNY. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
CN¥330,000
- Design and prototype iterationsCN¥82,500 · 25%
- Components tooling and pilot productionCN¥148,500 · 45%
- Testing and design verificationCN¥66,000 · 20%
- Packaging and support preparationCN¥33,000 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- CN¥330,000
- 0% platform commission
- −CN¥49,500
- You receive
- CN¥280,500
Questions and answers
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.
What makes a hardware gadget pitch convincing?
Specific numbers, real photos and a first milestone small enough to reach soon. Backers trust Dreamers who show where every amount goes and who have already started on their own.
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.
Ready when you are
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