Insights from LA Tech Week 2025

Designing the
Future of HardTech

insights from la tech week hardtech panel

Building, Scaling, & Funding HardTech

October 27, 2025
Ben Azzam, Executive VP RKS Design

Panel insights from RKS Design’s Ben Azzam and fellow leaders at LA Tech Week on how strategic foresight, empathy, and design are shaping the future of HardTech.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend LA Tech Week’s “Building, Scaling & Funding HardTech” session. The event brought together a group of inspiring founders, executives, and investors who are shaping the future of hardware and connected technology.

The panel, moderated by Susan Paley, Partner at Conduit Venture Labs, brought together an exceptional group of leaders shaping the future of hardware innovation. Panelists included Mel Tang, Partner at Matter Venture Partners; Al Guerrero, Managing Director of Venture Banking at Stifel Bank; Nick Frank, CEO of Knectiv; Andrew Harner, Co-founder and COO of Vital Lyfe; and Jacob Segil, CEO of Afference.

Together, they explored how companies can successfully navigate the challenges of building at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds — a conversation that revealed both the complexity and the opportunity within today’s rapidly evolving HardTech landscape.

What Stood Out Most

One of the strongest themes from the discussion was the importance of strategic foresight. Companies that anticipate change rather than react to it are the ones best positioned for long-term success. In a world shaped by shifting trade policies, supply chain volatility, and global uncertainty, flexibility and resilience have become essential.

Panelists shared how successful startups are finding ways to build defensible IP while staying nimble through modular design and diversified supply strategies. The “China Plus One” approach, for example, has become a key method for mitigating manufacturing risk and ensuring stability at scale.

These insights resonated deeply with me. At RKS, we work with clients who face similar challenges every day. Designing products and systems that not only perform flawlessly but also adapt to dynamic global ecosystems is a recurring theme in our work, and one that continues to push us to think beyond immediate solutions.

A Shift Toward Hardware

Another key takeaway from the event was the growing recognition that the innovation spotlight is shifting back to hardware. While the last decade focused heavily on software, we are now entering an era defined by intelligent, connected systems that merge physical experience with digital intelligence.

Even organizations like Y Combinator, historically known for backing software startups, are now prioritizing hardware companies. This shift validates what we’ve been seeing firsthand: that hardware is once again becoming the core of technological innovation, especially as artificial intelligence begins to enhance physical products in new and more integrated ways.

For designers and engineers alike, this evolution means more opportunities to create products that don’t just function efficiently, but that learn, respond, and evolve with their users.

The Human Element of Innovation

The panel also reinforced something that often gets overlooked in conversations about technology: the power of leadership and communication. The most successful founders are not only skilled technologists but also effective storytellers. They can take complex ideas and communicate them simply, clearly, and with conviction.

Investors and partners look for leaders who understand how to build great products, but also how to inspire trust and collaboration. This theme strongly reflects our philosophy at RKS. The most impactful technologies are those designed with empathy—intuitive, approachable, and emotionally resonant experiences that connect on a human level.

Our Takeaways

Ben left LA Tech Week with a renewed sense of how critical it is for innovators to blend foresight with empathy. The discussion underscored that success in HardTech doesn’t come from technology alone; it comes from the ability to anticipate change, design with resilience, and stay attuned to the human experience driving adoption. In a rapidly evolving global landscape, adaptability and emotional intelligence have become as vital as technical mastery.

At RKS Design, these insights reaffirm our belief that innovation thrives at the intersection of design, engineering, and strategy. We’ve seen firsthand how a multidisciplinary approach can transform uncertainty into opportunity, aligning user needs, market realities, and technological potential into solutions that endure. Whether helping startups secure early traction or guiding global brands through complex system integration, our focus remains constant: make technology more intuitive, approachable, and meaningful.

What stood out most from LA Tech Week is that the next wave of disruption will be built, not coded. Hardware is regaining its place at the center of innovation, but this time, it’s intelligent, connected, and designed to evolve. As hardware, software, and AI continue to converge, we’re helping partners navigate that transformation with flexibility, empathy, and precision, turning emerging challenges into long-term impact and designing a future that feels as good as it functions.

About the Panel

Susan Paley, Partner, Conduit Venture Labs

As Partner at Conduit Venture Labs, Susan Paley helps transform early-stage ideas into scalable, venture-backed startups. With a background in product innovation and business strategy, she brings a unique perspective on connecting visionary technology with real-world market needs.

Mel Tang,Partner, Matter Venture Partners

Mel Tang is a founding partner at Matter Venture Partners, where he invests in and advises early-stage technology and hardware companies. With deep experience in finance and operations, Mel offers a practical lens on how startups can balance innovation with sustainable growth.

Al Guerrero,Managing Director, Venture Banking, Stifel Bank

As Managing Director of Venture Banking at Stifel Bank, Al Guerrero works closely with entrepreneurs and investors to provide strategic financial solutions for growing technology ventures. His insights bridge the gap between innovation and capital.

Nick Frank, CEO, Knectiv

Nick Frank leads Knectiv, a company focused on creating advanced connectivity and IoT solutions that drive smarter systems across industries. His work reflects a deep understanding of how software and hardware integration can unlock new user experiences.

Andrew Harner, Co-founder & COO, Vital Lyfe

As Co-founder and COO of Vital Lyfe, Andrew Harner is focused on redefining the boundaries of wellness and performance through innovative biotechnology. His experience spans startup leadership, operations, and product development in health tech.

Jacob Segil, CEO, Afference

Jacob Segil is the CEO of Afference, a pioneering neurotechnology company developing haptic feedback systems that bridge the physical and digital senses. His work is at the forefront of human–machine interaction and immersive user experiences.

Strategy

Design

Development

Designing the
Future of HardTech