The challenge in manufacturing Pinball is not the access to capital, it is the ability to do it successfully.

The only conversation I have ever had with Gary Stern was at CAX back before FAST Pinball was FAST (we were Skillshot back then). I introduced myself and told him what we were doing and that I hoped we could make it easier for people to design and build pinball. He told me that these new pinball companies are going to learn that being a pinball company is really being manufacturing company. That running a successful manufacturing company is hard.

Me being me, I said, “We can at least help develop the next generation of pinball designers for companies like yours to hire someday.”

Gary said, “this is agree with. There isn’t a next generation of pinball designers coming down the line.”

Fast forward to 2018 and look at all the budding new pinball designers cutting their teeth in indie pinball. So cool to see.

I have learned that there is no shortage of money out there to create great things. I have also learned that pinball is NOT some special case where all the normal rules of business don’t apply (JPOP used to argue with me about that. “Aaron, Pinball is different...”)

If your idea and/or design is THAT good, the opportunity to take it to the next level will present itself. If your indie pinball company’s business plan is sound, the money will come.

Aaron
FAST Pinball