这款投资人「看不懂」的智能硬件，年销售额已超10亿元

Core Viewpoint - LiberLive has emerged as a successful brand in the smart hardware sector, achieving rapid growth and becoming a billion-dollar brand despite initial skepticism from investors [3][9][21]. Group 1: Product Overview - LiberLive's product, the "stringless guitar," features a unique design with silicone pads that light up according to the music, allowing users to play without traditional strings [3][5]. - The product was launched in April 2023 and quickly became a bestseller in the musical instrument category on platforms like Tmall and JD, ranking first in global sales of stringless guitars from June 2023 to June 2024 [8][9]. Group 2: Market Performance - The brand achieved over 1 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, a significant milestone for many projects that have received substantial institutional funding [9][21]. - The stringless guitar gained immense popularity on social media platforms, with videos receiving tens of thousands of likes, contributing to its rapid sales growth [6][8]. Group 3: Investment Challenges - Despite its eventual success, LiberLive faced challenges in securing investment during critical development phases in 2019 and 2023, with many investors expressing a lack of understanding of the product [9][21]. - The company has only completed two rounds of financing, primarily from incubators and industry partners, with no major investment firms involved until recently [9][21]. Group 4: Founder Background - The founder, Tang Wenxuan, has a background in automation and engineering, previously working at DJI before starting the company in 2016 [11][20]. - The development of the stringless guitar took four years, during which the founder self-funded the project due to a lack of external investment [11][20]. Group 5: Consumer Insights - The product appeals to a younger demographic (ages 18-30), who are more open to the concept of a stringless guitar compared to traditional guitar users [18][24]. - The emotional value associated with playing the instrument in social settings has been a key factor in its acceptance and popularity among consumers [18][24]. Group 6: Industry Implications - LiberLive's success highlights the importance of addressing genuine consumer needs over following trends or investor preferences, suggesting a shift in focus for future hardware entrepreneurs [24][23]. - The case of LiberLive parallels that of Pop Mart, which also experienced initial investor skepticism but later achieved significant market success [21][24].