| Risks to retire |
Video hand-recognition is engineering-tractable with off-the-shelf tools |
Full 12-pattern library works; multi-camera video-synthesis path chosen; auto-alignment convergence works |
Review interface holds up to pitch-quality external audiences |
AI inference runs on customers' phones/tablets at production scale; capture + sync + upload production-ready |
Real usage informs pattern-library expansion priorities; onboarding works for cold customers |
| Activities |
- Multimodal AI/ML tool familiarity
- Hand-recognition feasibility test
- Human-labelled review UI mockup
- End-to-end flow for one pattern
|
- Full 12-pattern library
- Multi-camera video synthesis
- Composed mobile review interface
- Cross-video review and navigation
|
- Bug-fixing from beta feedback
- Review UI refinements for demos
- Demo content curation
- Polish through crowdfunding video
|
- Move AI inference from cloud to phone/tablet
- Capture, sync, upload production integration
- Backend: tiered storage + library sync
- Onboarding + first-time setup
- First quarterly pattern expansion
|
- Usage analytics
- Pattern library expanded based on user feedback
- Onboarding refinement for post-launch
- Cross-video review and navigation refinement
|
| Deliverables |
Dev-laptop mockup running one pattern on real audio |
Cloud-hosted 12-pattern library + mobile review interface |
Pitch-quality cloud-hosted review interface with curated demo content |
Production software with on-device (phone/tablet) inference + backend sync + onboarding |
Analytics-driven pattern library expansion + refined onboarding |
| Cost |
~€10K |
~€80K |
~€22K |
~€95K |
~€50K |
| Risks to retire |
Alpha frame form-factor fits real piano; swinging-arm architecture patentable |
Motor + hinge reliability holds; power + thermal envelope hits target; parts list committed at production spec |
Aesthetic desirability holds at close-to-final materials; manufacturing partner willing and capable |
First-run manufacturing yield acceptable; regulatory certifications land |
Real-world reliability at customer-hands scale; cost-optimised parts list with real contractor pricing |
| Activities |
- Alpha study model (static)
- Beta study model (adjustable, concierge)
- Motor and hinge testing
- Sensor + motor supplier scan
- Initial hinge partner conversations
|
- Motorised study model (switch control)
- Robotic study model with auto-alignment
- Mechanism reliability testing on a bench rig
- Power + thermal empirical test
- Cameras, microphones, motor spec locked
|
- Industrial design finishing pass
- 2–3 demo-quality units fabricated
- Machined bezels
|
- Production run tooling
- Contract manufacturing kicks off
- Concierge-tier bespoke finishes
- Second production run planning
|
- Small-batch redesign iteration
- Cost optimisation with contractors
- First-run yield improvements
- Second production run
- Accessory development kicks off
|
| Deliverables |
Alpha + beta study models built to measure |
Robotic study model with auto-alignment; parts list locked at production volume |
2–3 demo-quality units in close-to-final materials + finish |
First production run in customer hands; second-run tooling ready |
Iterated design + second production run + accessory prototypes |
| Cost |
~€10K |
~€100K |
~€65K |
~€420K |
~€45K |
| Risks to retire |
Target-segment communities engage with messaging; sophisticated pianists validate the AI-feedback concept |
Sophisticated pianists use the review interface unprompted over a week; it beats current self-review practice |
Pianists want to leave the object on their piano permanently (aesthetic pull independent of software) |
Crowdfunding take-up validates demand + acquisition cost; fulfilment feasibility across launch geographies |
Real paid customer-acquisition cost measurable; customer advocacy visible beyond crowdfunding cohort |
| Activities |
- Questionnaire on Tally Pro
- Follow-up interviews with opt-ins
- AI feedback test with alpha testers
- Form-factor test with alpha testers
- Facebook + Google smoke test
- Blog + social handles live
- Intro blog post published
- Landing page + email waitlist
|
- Continued pricing conversations
- Friendly-user beta with 5–8 pianists
- Smoke-test refinement
- Blog + social continue
|
- Aesthetic-desirability testing
- Blog shifts to crowdfunding warm-up
- Survey findings published
|
- Crowdfunding campaign launches
- Blog + social as campaign backbone
- Fulfilment: shipping, customs, taxes
- Customer support infrastructure live
- First units delivered to customers
|
- Paid channel testing at scale
- PR + podcast + expert reviews
- Content marketing scales
- Referral program trial
- First renewal cycle outreach
- Support scaling
- Unit economics on real data
|
| Deliverables |
Warm-lead waitlist + validated pain-point signal |
Beta cohort of 5–8 sophisticated pianists actively using the product |
Aesthetic-desirability signal; blog primed as crowdfunding warm-up narrative |
€300–500K crowdfunding raise + first customers with units + subscription service live |
First post-launch customers acquired + measurable customer-acquisition cost + real cost-to-serve |
| Cost |
~€15K |
~€35K |
~€17K |
~€120K |
~€140K |
| Risks to retire |
Italian S.r.l. + innovative-startup route lands; swinging-arm provisional patent lands |
Pre-seed investors buy the story; production-scale contractors commit |
Investors buy the next tranche on the demo artefact; manufacturing partner selected; subscription policies drafted |
Investor supplement closes; CE + battery + AI Act certifications land; subscription + product-liability contracts in place |
Y2 seed narrative rests on real numbers |
| Activities |
- Advisor outreach (AI + music teaching)
- Investor list building
- Pre-seed narrative drafted
- S.r.l. + innovative-startup filing
- Provisional patent application for hardware
- Trademark applications
|
- Pre-seed pitch process + close
- Advisor pipeline expands
- Advisor cash retainers begin
- Production-scale contractor agreements
|
- Investor demos with demo-quality units
- Crowdfunding campaign production
- Manufacturing partner committed
- Subscription terms + privacy policy
|
- Investor supplement negotiated + deployed
- Advisor honoraria continue
- CE + IEC 62133 + UN 38.3 certifications
- GDPR + EU AI Act review
- Subscription contracts + product liability
|
- Optional follow-on round
- Y2 seed narrative from real numbers
- Ongoing compliance
|
| Deliverables |
Entity + IP filings live; 2 core advisors engaged; pre-seed pitch deck ready |
Pre-seed round closed; 4–5 engaged advisors; production contractors under agreement |
Manufacturing partner committed; crowdfunding campaign production wrapped; investor supplement conversations warm |
Certifications live; investor supplement deployed; subscription + liability contracts executed |
Y2 seed narrative ready; optional follow-on round in progress |
| Cost |
~€30K |
~€35K |
~€20K |
~€80K |
~€25K |
| What success looks like |
Founder can demo one-pattern AI feedback in-person on an alpha tester's piano, using the alpha study model + laptop |
Beta pianists use the functional prototype at home for a week with cloud-hosted AI feedback on their phone/tablet |
2–3 demo-quality units external audiences can touch and try, backed by pitch-quality software |
First shipping product with paying customers using it in their homes with on-device AI feedback |
Shipping product with growing base of customers acquired beyond the crowdfunding cohort; real unit-economics data flowing |
| Ready to move on when |
Video hand-recognition is engineering-tractable. |
Beta pianists use the review interface unprompted over a week. |
Demo is production-quality for pitch meetings and the crowdfunding launch video; manufacturing partner committed. |
First units are in customer hands and used with meaningful frequency. |
Customer advocacy is visible — referrals, feature requests, or waiting-list signups for other instruments. |