Only 3pc of US venture-capital investment was for hardware startups last year, but that represents a big increase from 1992-2011, when the figure was less than 1pc, says The Wall Street Journal. Investors have long shied away from startups making gadgets such as wearable electronics, because of the challenges posed by manufacturing, distribution, inventory and technical support. But help has arrived: Today’s contract manufacturers, such as PCH International, will not only make your product for you, they’ll also provide engineers and project managers in China; as a consequence, US venture capitalists are taking a rosier view of hardware startups.

(Source: The Wall Street Journal)