Dear hustlers, founders, operators and visionaries,

Scaling a startup is never easy. Add hardware to the equation and things become even more complicated. Those issues with your product you have in software? Multiply them with a factor of ten: machines, production lines, supply chains - they are all sources for challenges.

This week we sat down with Vincent Martinez, co-founder of Nanoleq, a deep-tech company specializing in smart textiles. From building a diverse, multinational team to navigating the challenges of fundraising and exiting the company, Vincent shares hard-earned lessons on scaling a hardware startup in an unpredictable market. If you’re a founder thinking about growth, exits, or just how to build a leaner, more adaptable team - this episode is for you. Exclusively for our newsletter subscribers, Vincent has shared additional insights below.

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify and Apple and share your thoughts! Who should be our next guest?

In the meantime: Follow the Gradient and stay tuned!

🫶🏼 Melanie & Christian

PS: Has this e-mail been forwarded to you? Sign up here.

How to build a hardware scale-up

What you will get out of this episode

In our conversation, Vincent shares:

• How to build a diverse and adaptable team in an international environment

• Why balancing growth and profitability is crucial for long-term success

• How to prepare your company for an exit from day one

• Why staying lean and outsourcing can prevent scaling mistakes

• and much more!

Our main take away’s

1. Adaptability is key in diverse teams: Leading a multicultural team requires listening, understanding different perspectives, and adapting communication styles to ensure alignment and collaboration.

2. Always be exit-ready: Many potential buyers are already within your ecosystem—customers, competitors, and partners. Keeping profitability in mind and building relationships early can make a future exit smoother.

3. Lean teams outperform rapid scaling: Hiring too fast doesn’t guarantee growth. Staying slightly understaffed, outsourcing where possible, and focusing on market demand can create a more resilient company.

4. Fundraising dictates strategy: VC-backed companies chase aggressive growth, while acquisition-ready businesses prioritize profitability. Understanding these trade-offs early can help shape the right approach.

How to reach out to Vincent

• LinkedIn

Exclusive from Vincent

What is success for you?

Creating something that impacts society positively and outlives me. And being present with the people I love along the way.

What books, podcasts, articles inspired you?

Book: Crossing the Chasm by Moore

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csA9YhzYvmk 

Movie: Stalker (Tarkovsky)

What are habits, activities or rituals that keep you sane (while scaling your business)?

Hikes with my kids, saunas, zero-notification mode during my regular focus sessions.

What’s one advice, founders should actually ignore?

“Play it safe.” No great story starts with playing it safe.

What is one “growth hack” (be it business, health or personal-wise) that has a positive impact on you or the company?

Radical clarity on vision, priorities, and expectations. It speeds everything up.