Kian Xu

中文
Portrait of Kian Xu.

Kian Xu

  1. Ping An
  2. SF International
  3. PLAUD
  4. Hardware founder

I’ve led product and engineering at three companies, and ran a core product through a consumer-hardware company’s fastest growth. Now I help hardware teams build and sell worldwide. My own Kickstarter is planned for spring 2027.

  • Shenzhen, China
  • English, Mandarin

Right now

Shenzhen --:--Updated 11 Nov 2026

Now: Researching and defining the look of my next Kickstarter product.

The founder's journey

I'm in Shenzhen preparing a smart hardware product for 2027. I document my progress here, from the work underway today to crowdfunding, fulfillment, and international sales.

New YorkLos AngelesLondonBerlinTokyoLos AngelesRotterdamNew YorkLondonFrankfurtTokyoNew YorkParisLondonTokyoSingaporeShenzhen
KS-01Next productGet launch updates
Starting in Shenzhen. Other cities are potential markets.
Stages of the journey

Leg 1 of 6ShenzhenNow

Product definition

Find a real reason to buy before deciding what to build.

Product
Define the buyer, recurring task, core value, form and target price.
Evidence
Compare past wins and failures, buying motives and alternatives.
Supply chain
Check structure, materials, processes, minimum orders and cost.

Before moving onClear buyer and purchase motive, evidenced difference and a viable prototype path.

Leg 2 of 6ShenzhenNext

Prototype

Build a prototype that demonstrates the core value and tests purchase intent.

88% vs 65%Crowdfunding success rates with and without a pre-launch pageRead the analysis report

Product
Test design and function; prepare material for the reveal.
Evidence
Use a pre-launch page to measure qualified interest.
Supply chain
Compare samples and quotes; estimate small-batch cost.

Before moving onCore function demonstrated, cost estimated and pre-launch response supports proceeding.

Leg 3 of 6Backers worldwidePlanned

Kickstarter

Launch when the pre-launch list is ready. Announce a date only when the plan supports it.

Product
Let the first backers validate demand through pledges.
Evidence
Use the sample median for context; set the goal from production, shipping, fees and contingency.
Supply chain
Check production capacity and delivery timing against pledge volume.

Before moving onFunding goal met; production and delivery plans remain viable.

Leg 4 of 6Warehouse → backersPlanned

Delivery & Shopify

Fulfil backer orders first, then offer future purchases through my own store.

Product
Invite consenting backers to stay in touch.
Evidence
Keep campaign orders, shipping and support status traceable.
Supply chain
Plan production, inspection and warehousing with a time buffer.

Before moving onFirst orders fulfilled; support works and store sales have viable margins.

Leg 5 of 6US · UK · Germany · JapanPlanned

Amazon

Reach people who are already searching.

Product
Test one marketplace before expanding.
Evidence
Count fees, ads, fulfilment and returns in per-order profit.
Supply chain
Validate labelling, cartons and replenishment.

Before moving onPositive per-order profit in a trial, with reliable replenishment.

Leg 6 of 6Gift shops · museum storesPlanned

Retail

Get onto real shelves.

Product
Trial a few stores that fit the product.
Evidence
Track sell-through and reorders before expanding.
Supply chain
Validate wholesale packaging, certification and small-batch replenishment.

Before moving onA small trial shows sustained sales and repeat orders.

Kickstarter readouts

Before I spend a month on a campaign I measure the market, and I publish what I find. Every number is recomputed from the raw data, and each report shows its method.

Five findings

  1. 48%taken by the top 1%

    Plan with medians, not averages

    The median project raised $2,519. The bottom half of projects shared 2% of the money.

  2. 2.8%finished at 50% to under 100% of goal

    Few campaigns finished just short

    In the sample, about one in five completed campaigns reached less than 10% of its goal.

  3. 62 / 100of the top 100 are tech

    Technology leads the top 100

    96 were staff picks and 74 launched in 2024 or later.

  4. 11.3%of funding went to Hong Kong filers

    Hong Kong campaigns in the sample

    They accounted for 2.4% of launched projects and 24% of technology funding.

  5. 88%sample success with a pre-launch page

    Pre-launch pages and outcomes

    The success rate was 65% among projects without one. The report gives both group sizes.

Take hardware global

I led the core product engineering team at PLAUD through its key growth years, and owned the core consumer-channel product and engineering team at SF International for five years. Now I offer hardware teams going global the experience I’ve built up, my engineering team and our logistics and channel network, so we grow together.

What you get

A high-growth team’s rhythm and engineering speed, brought into your global launch.

01Plan it

Launch strategy

Skip the detours. When to take Kickstarter, e-commerce and retail, and how to hand one to the next, on a route already walked.

  • Test category, price and list target against the readouts
  • Carry orders, reviews and ads on after the campaign
  • Decide when, and on what terms, to go into shops

ProofMy own product is on this route

02Build it

Software team

A software base ready for global markets, and a team that ships at a high-growth pace.

  • Base framework for iOS, Android and web
  • AI coding workflow for build, test and release
  • Coaching, plus hires and partner teams

TeamFormer PLAUD leads and core engineers

03Sell it

Retail: plan only

GTM & logistics

A clear play and a number to hit at every stage, with logistics and channels ready to use.

  • Positioning, price, pre-launch and the first 48 hours
  • E-commerce, shipping and overseas warehouses
  • Picking and working with distributors

ResourcesReadouts · omnichannel experience · logistics

How to work with me

Email me with your product and the service you need. I take on a small number of projects at a time.

xykane.90s@gmail.com

Get the readouts and updates

One list. Pick what you want: the readouts, my Kickstarter progress or going-global work. Only when there’s something real to say.

I’m here for