Local Voices
UCSC Grads Create Computer Device, Land Big Bucks With Kickstarter Campaign
The engineering-minded pair has raised nearly $50,000 in less than two weeks.
Two recent UC Santa Cruz graduates launched a Kickstarter campaign for their new computer product on May 8 that within hours soared past its funding goal.
Bar Smith and Tom Beckett of Makesmith CNC developed what they are calling the most affordable Desktop CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Router -- a machine that will better enable student engineers and hobbyists to familiarize themselves and explore the world of computer driven machining.
In 10 days, they have received almost $50,000 in pledges from more than 250 individual contributors.
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In June, Smith will graduate with a degree in electrical engineering and Beckett finished his studies in June 2013.
The two spent the last year prototyping their machine, as well as developing their business campaign.
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Taking advantage of the popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter allowed these two students to breach the high barrier-to-entry for starting a business.
Their campaign will run 32 days total, ending June 9 at 9 p.m.
These two young entrepreneurs are excited to participate in the exploding field of crowdfunding, while also providing to a substantially underserved market.
There is an enormous number of young engineers and tinkerers who have the technical skills, but not the financial means to get their hands on this type of technology.
“One afternoon I came home from a lab meeting where I was able to play around with a laser cutter and CNC mill. I immediately wanted to explore these tools further and so I looked online to see what my options were," Smith said.
"I didn’t have $700 to spend on a bare bones CNC kit and figured I could make my own machine," he said. "Almost two years later I have a completed personal project that is now a must-have for anyone in my same situation that wishes to gain experience with rapid prototyping technologies.”
Makesmith CNC’s affordable Desktop CNC Router is helping the future of the engineering realm by allowing creative minds to become familiar with this kind of technology before obtaining professional jobs.
You can learn more about the Makesmith CNC project at the following:
Kickstarter project page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/makesmithcnc/makesmith-cnc-the-most-affordable-desktop-cnc-rout
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