New ask Hacker News story: Ask HN: Ambitious robotics entrepreneur with failing Kickstarter. Seeking advice

Ask HN: Ambitious robotics entrepreneur with failing Kickstarter. Seeking advice
3 by pinkrobotics | 5 comments on Hacker News.
Howdy HN, My name is Tyler, I'm a robotics entrepreneur and I just started a Kickstarter that is going to fail (see www.PinkRobotics.ca). I won't blame it, anyone else or even myself for it failing. Could I do a lot better? Obviously. Will it make the difference? Probably not. Nevertheless, I still think the world needs my campaign to succeed; but there is also little I can do to make that happen. So, I seek the often sound and level headed advice of HK et al.: My story: I have a BSc in CS, where I focused on AI stuff, and an MSc where I published about applying AI stuff to HPC stuff. I went to a space university program and learned about space stuff. Then, I did seven years of a PhD where I tried to be ambitious but it didn't work out, so I quietly left without succeeding anymore. Then I did a year long solo motorcycle trip around Mexico, starting and ending in Canada. After, I started a robotics company to address climate change with technological solutions. I applied to YC and UBC startup programs to use large drones and other robots to help fight the locally pressing issue of wildfires. Neither organization was interested, for several understandable reasons including: I am alone, no likelihood of a short term high yield return and the societal benefit of my project wasn't considered. So, I "gave up" and applied to a dozen jobs in my area. Only to not receive any replies at all, from anyone, not even rejections. Likely a blessing though, as I have no faith in my ability to pass a technical interview at this point in my "career". So I worked for a friend doing tradeswork to the pay the bills, until covid hit and I went on gov't support. I again focused on my robotics stuff, which has led me to my Kickstarter which will likely fail in just under 6 weeks. I see three options for myself going forward: keep up the robotics hussle until death or success, study and get a job in my area for money and respect, or get a job where I can be happy. Advice?

No comments