Software Tools
The software I use to build better startups.
Fusion 360
3D Design & Rendering
My #1 most-used piece of software. I use fusion to design all of my products and prototypes, sketch up new ideas, and create beautiful renders. It’s free for startups and hobbyists.
Inkscape
2D Design & Graphics
My utility knife for designing logos, UI/UX, site mock-ups, product sketches, custom icons, and more. Primarily a vector graphics editor, it has tons of community support and add-ons. Free and open source!
EasyEDA
Schematic & PCB Design
The best free Electronics Design Automation software period. A free cloud application, it has thousands of pre-designed modules, footprints, components and more. Excellent for creating custom PCBs.
Cura
Schematic & PCB Design
The best free Electronics Design Automation software period. A free cloud application, it has thousands of pre-designed modules, footprints, components and more. Excellent for creating custom PCBs.
Loom
Screen Recorder & Vlog Tool
Loom is one of my most crucial tools for communication. It’s a chrome plugin that allows you to record whatever is on your screen while also capturing your face. Once done, you can share instantly via a link.
Elementor
WordPress Page Builder
Elementor is my go-to plugin for creating beautiful websites. This free tool offers an intuitive way to build sites visually without needing to code. With Elementor Pro, you can even create robust webapps!
Mailerlite
Email Lists
Mailerlite is my favorite CRM because it has an excellent free option and is dead simple to use. This platform helps you collect and sort up to 1000 emails for free in a painless and intuitive way.
Yoast SEO
SEO PLugin
When using WordPress, it is important to use best practices to optimize your content for Google’s search algorithm. Yoast automatically audits all of your posts and pages so that nothing goes unnoticed.
Arduino IDE
Prototype Firmware Development
A well-known and well-supported firmware design tool with a massive community behind it. Arduino provides pre-written libraries to help you program microcontrollers and build prototypes fast.
Hardware Tools
The hardware I use to build better products.
MP Select Mini
Desktop 3D Printer
My #1 most-used piece of software. I use fusion to design all of my products and prototypes, sketch up new ideas, and create beautiful renders. It’s free for startups and hobbyists.
Creality Ender 3
Big Desktop 3D Printer
My utility knife for designing logos, UI/UX, site mock-ups, product sketches, custom icons, and more. Primarily a vector graphics editor, it has tons of community support and add-ons. Free and open source!
Solder Station
Soldering & Rework
The best free Electronics Design Automation software period. A free cloud application, it has thousands of pre-designed modules, footprints, components and more. Excellent for creating custom PCBs.
DC Power Supply
High Output Power
The best free Electronics Design Automation software period. A free cloud application, it has thousands of pre-designed modules, footprints, components and more. Excellent for creating custom PCBs.
NodeMCU
WiFi Development Board
The NodeMCU is an Arduino-compatible development board based on the 3.3V WiFi-enabled ESP8266 module. A game-changer for IOT, this is one of my favorite platforms for new products.
ESP32
WiFi & Bluetooth Module
The new big brother to the NodeMCU, the ESP32 is a dual Bluetooth/WiFi module based on the WROOM32 module. It is lower power than its predecessor with more power and features but costs a few bucks more.
Pro Micro
Development Board for USB Devices
An offshoot of the popular Arduino Leonardo, the Pro Micro is a development board for the ATMEGA32U4 microcontroller which has built-in Bluetooth. This is my go-to for USB applications.
ATTINY85
Tiny MCU for Tiny Projects
My favorite microcontroller family, the ATTINY is Arduin friendly, tiny, and cheap, but still plenty powerful. If you need to do something simple in a small package, the ATTINY85 is your new best friend.
Raspberry Pi Zero
ARM Development Board
The RPi Zero is an extremely powerful, super tiny computer that packs a punch. It runs Linux so there’s no limit to what you can build with it. At only $5, this is the future of development boards.
Web Services
The businesses and web-tools I go to on a budget.
X10Hosting
Free Webhosting
My all-time favorite free webhost. Use x10hosting to put landing pages on the steepest of budgets – for free! I used x10 to learn WordPress. With each account you can host 3 separate websites, with 3 emails.
InterServer
Startup Webhosting
The best web host for lean startups. InterServer charges a flat-rate $5 per month without a long-term commitment. Infinite storage, bandwidth, domains, and emails with the option to upgrade anytime.
Shapeways
High Quality 3D Printing
My #1 most-used piece of software. I use fusion to design all of my products and prototypes, sketch up new ideas, and create beautiful renders. It’s free for startups and hobbyists.
3D Hubs
Large 3D Prints
My utility knife for designing logos, UI/UX, site mock-ups, product sketches, custom icons, and more. Primarily a vector graphics editor, it has tons of community support and add-ons. Free and open source!
JLPCB
PCB Prototyping
Dirt cheap, excellent quality PCBs manufacturing and shipped from Shenzhen. Files can be exported straight from EasyEDA. I often order batches of 10 boards which arrive in under a week for <$2 per board.
Ponoko
Laser Cutting
Fast, high-quality, laser-cut pieces for your prototypes and projects. Ponoko has a wide selection of materials, finishes, thicknesses and great customer support.
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Startup Platforms
Tools that make it simple to start up and scale fast.
Gusher
Team Building Platform
If I could reccomend one tool for building a new startup, it would be Gusher. The goal of the platform is to build talented teams for equity only, Kickstarter-style. Once you’re ready they help you network and grow.
Gust
Startup Tools Platform
Gust is the one-stop-show for startup resources. Their powerful tools help you set up a company, prepare for investment, network, and raise capital. Gust is a go-to tool for angel investors so get on there!
AngelList
The Startup Network
AngelList started off as a platform that helped angels find new ventures. now its grown into the best niche job board for high-tech startups. Use this website to meet other starters, find talent, and find startup jobs.
Meetaway
Online Speed Networking
An amazing new tool, Meetaway is like speed-dating but with professional networking. Each event has a focus – you can expect to meet 4-6 brilliant entrepreneurs with varied skill-sets on each one.