Update #5: But I want it now: Production Schedule Update
There has been a ton going on over the past day, so we just want to keep you all in the loop.
First off, we want to give a big thank you to everyone who has backed us, blogged about us, tweeted about us, and contacted us with offers of help, advice and encouragement. As you might have noticed, we’ve reached 400% of our funding goal in the first four days of the funding period! We’re beyond thrilled, but the sheer size of the response has taken us by surprise. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to figure out two of the biggest issues we’ve been facing.
This update is going to address our plans for our production schedule, so it applies to everyone. We know it’s long, but we wanted to be as clear about everything as possible, so please bear with us. (The second issue is deciding whether to make a 240V international version of the machine, and we’re working on an update about that, too - sit tight!)
So here’s the deal: we originally figured that by the end of the Kickstarter funding period, we’d have about 100 machine orders and we’d start putting them out in mid-March. As of a second ago, we have 360 machine orders in, and it’s only the fourth day. So we’ve been thinking a lot about the best way to fill these orders as soon as we can. This involves talking to suppliers and getting quotes on the cost of outsourcing our production to better-established local facilities (mostly in Virginia and Georgia). We had always intended to go into large-scale production, but in our wildest dreams we never thought it would be before our Kickstarter pledge period ended. Right now we’re planning on manufacturing machines on our previously planned timetable. This means that we’ll still start shipping orders in mid-March. We expect to be able to get about 50 machines out in March, and approximately 50-100 machines per month thereafter. Orders will be filled in the order that pledges were submitted.
That being said, we’re currently in negotiations with a few facilities here in the Southeast that would take over aspects of production. If we get enough orders, we will be able to enlist their help and manufacturing will go much faster. Until we figure out exactly what numbers we need - how much it would cost and how many machines we would have to make for it to make sense - we’re working with the previously stated schedule.We want to stress that we still plan to start getting machines out by mid-March, as was our original estimation. But we also want to let you know that not every machine will be out by March, and that our exact timetable depends on the final number of orders. We understand that this might be a problem for some of you who have already backed us, and we want you to know that you’re able to rescind your pledge if you rather not support at this stage of the project, and that’s fine - no hard feelings! We remain as excited as ever to bring this product to you guys - the enthusiasts, the tinkerers, the pioneers. But we’re only four people, and as hard as we’re working, there are only 24 hours in the day.
The most thrilling thing about Kickstarter has been the amount of feedback we’ve gotten. You guys have raised questions about everything from branding to production to programming, telling us what you want in a machine and about how we can make that happen. It’s great to be in contact with a community of people who are interested in this machine, and we definitely want to make this an interactive process. So we’re trying to keep you up-to-date with our progress and respond to each and every one of your comments, suggestions and questions.
There are going to be bumps in the road, but we think it’s going to be a great ride. We understand that some of you might have to reconsider your backer status. We’re still thankful for all of your support and enthusiasm, and we’re still pumped about our product. If you have any questions/comments/concerns about this plan, you know how to reach us!
Coming soon: info regarding the possibility of an international version!
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 20.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
And they say you can’t get good coffee for $1 anymore! But your $1 is getting us that much closer to great at-home espresso - we couldn’t do it without you! A hearty thanks, and we’ll put your name on our website. Every dollar counts!
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Shot glasses are more than just cute miniature versions of regular glasses - they’re great for your espresso, for your liquor, for growing tiny plants in...With a $10 pledge you get shot glasses with our logo! Just use responsibly.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Coffee is great for warming you up on a chilly day, but sometimes you need to take it to the next level and put on some clothes. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered (literally! - you like that?). Enjoy one of our cozy, and stylish, ZPM T-shirts. And the shot glasses are all yours, too.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Our machines do a lot of the work of making perfect espresso, but you’ve got to help out too. To show our gratitude, we’re making it as easy as possible by giving you the tools you require - namely, a fancy-schmancy tamper for all your tamping needs (probably just espresso, but who knows?). Add that to the t-shirt and shot glasses, and you’ll be sitting pretty.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
There’s no better feeling than unwrapping a box of presents - except maybe the feeling of playing with a bunch of presents. Forgive us for spoiling the surprise, but here’s what you’ll be getting from us: a shot glass, a t-shirt, a tamper, and your very own bag of artisan coffee beans. With our box of gifts, it’ll feel like Christmas in...whatever month you get your box of gifts!
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
For a $200 pledge, you’re pre-ordering one of our very first machines, a $400 retail value! It can be hard to be one of the first to brave new frontiers, but don’t worry - there’s no river-crossings or dysentery in store for you, just awesome home-brewed espresso.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
If you want to boldly brew as you’ve never brewed before, this is your level. For $250, you’ll receive everything you need to craft the perfect espresso - one of our first machines, a bag of artisan coffee beans, shot glasses, and a tamper. And you can savor it while wearing one of our t-shirts. A $470 value!
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
So you didn't manage to snag one of our $200 reward level machines and now you're sitting around all bummed out. Well, buck up, my friend, because we're not going to abandon you. For $300, you can still pre-order a machine. And our later machines will incorporate any user feedback we get from the early birds - so sometimes it pays to wait.
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
We know you were just dying to pledge at our $250 reward level, but, you know, a lot of stuff came up, what with the holidays and TV being so good lately, and you never got around to it...and now it's sold out! Fear not, dear backer. You can still pledge to get our machine and box of goodies that includes shot glasses, t-shirt, espresso tamper, and a bag of artisan roasted coffee beans; a $470 dollar retail value! They'll arrive a little later, but the anticipation is half the fun.
Pledge $675 or more Pledge $675 or more
So you know you want our espresso machine - great! But you also know you'll have a hard time tamping whole beans. We're in the business of solving problems, so let us help you out. For $675, you get our machine AND a Baratza Vario grinder (a $869 value)! Grind away! (This is a 120V/US-shipping only reward level.)
Pledge $725 or more Pledge $725 or more
You're clearly in it to win it at this point, so you may as well spring for the deluxe edition. Our machine, a Baratza Vario grinder, a t-shirt, a tamper, shot glasses, and a bag of Batdorf & Bronson Dancing Goats coffee (a $939 retail value). That's right, we will meet all your fashion and beverage needs. You never need to leave the house again. (This is a 120V/US shipping-only reward level.)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
If you’ve always dreamed of being a self-sufficient one-man (or -lady) coffee shop, this is where you need to be. For $1000, we’ll custom build a machine to your specifications (!), send you all of our ZPM logo products, shot glasses, a tamper, a bag of artisanal coffee, and your very own grinder. Now all you need is a patch of good bean-growin’ land in Colombia, and you’ll be set for life.
Project By
Connected as Gleb Polyakov (484 friends)
Gleb Polyakov studied physics at Georgia Tech and worked as a financial analyst for Emperion Investment. He now runs a deli in Atlanta, and is working on an espresso machine start-up company.
Igor Zamlinsky BSME ‘10 Virginia Tech, is a roboticist and aspiring graduate student and is currently working at RoMeLa and DREAMS Lab at Virginia Tech, and on an espresso machine start-up company.
+1 for 240V
+1 for 240V
+1 for 240V