The archive · Hardware & Devices · Product decision · 2020–2024
TinyPilot: a solo-built Raspberry Pi KVM hit $1M revenue, sold for $598k
Ex-Google dev bootstrapped TinyPilot, a Raspberry Pi remote-computer device, to $1M revenue and $236k profit, then sold it for $598k with no investors.
TinyPilot
What the business is
TinyPilot is a Raspberry Pi-based KVM-over-IP device: it lets users remotely control a computer without a connected monitor or keyboard through a browser, packaged as a plug-and-play finished kit and sold to developers, self-hosted server users, and IT teams.
Starting capital：No external funding; in the first year (2020), total costs for materials, outsourced engineering, and other items were about $59k, all funded from the founder's personal savings.
How it started
In 2017, Michael Lynch left Google to work as an independent developer; in the first two years, all projects combined earned less than $10k. In May 2020, he spent several months building a TinyPilot prototype and wrote a blog post: within 4 hours, 9 kits sold out, and in one week he sold $8.8k, becoming a popular front-page Hacker News post (one of the highest-scoring 'Show HN' posts of that year).
What happened
For the following four years, TinyPilot was Lynch's only main business: 2020 revenue $53k (net loss $5.7k, costs front-loaded), 2022 revenue $807k (net profit $10k), and in 2023, after replacing the 3D-printed case with a metal case and outsourcing assembly and fulfillment to a third party, revenue reached $993k and net profit $236k, with a team of 7. Throughout, no funding and no sales team.
How it ended up
In April 2024, it was sold to an individual buyer for $598k in cash (listed at $599k, about 2.9x annual profit); after deducting broker commission $88.9k and legal fees $18.3k, net proceeds were $490,803. Four-year cumulative profit plus sale proceeds was about $920k. His reason for selling was to escape the pressure of running a hardware business and return to writing code.
Background
Michael Lynch left Google in 2017 to build a bootstrapped software company. First two years earned under $10k, mostly losses. In May 2020, he built TinyPilot from a Raspberry Pi to control a server without monitor, wrote a blog post, sold 9 kits in 4 hours, $8.8k in a week, hit Hacker News front page.
TinyPilot was his only main business for four years. 2020 revenue $53,362 (net loss $5,681), 2022 revenue $807,458 (net profit $10,447), 2023 after metal case and outsourcing: revenue $992,597, net profit $235,568, team of 7. No investors or sales team; blog and word of mouth.
Exit path: 2022 FE International declined due to two SKUs. 2023 listed with Quiet Light at $599k (2.9x profit). April 2024 closed at $598k cash, netting $490,803 after fees. Four-year cumulative proceeds about $920k.
What has to be true
- The mid-market gap existed: enterprise KVM was expensive, DIY unreliable; TinyPilot offered a ready-made kit plus documentation.
- The blog was the channel: demand validated on Hacker News, author was early user, customer acquisition cost near zero.
- No funding means growth relies on rolling profits: low early profits were sustained by savings and low cost of living, not everyone has that buffer.
- Hardware, e-commerce, and software operations stacked, management complexity ate into profit; sale price (2.4-2.9x profit) was below SaaS multiples.
What can be applied
Mid-range hardware can have a million-dollar market, but ties the founder to supply chain; selling proved the most comfortable exit.
Aftermath
As of 2026-09-01, TinyPilot changed hands. Lynch provided 30 days free consulting (up to 80 hours) and 45 days paid (up to 10 hours/week at $180/hour). Buyer Scott plans broader reach. Lynch returned to independent development. His 2026-02 review records 2025 revenue $16.3k and profit $8.2k from book pre-sales and editing. The case ended with a small, well-run sale; product not shut down.
Sources
- I Sold TinyPilot, My First Successful Business
- My Sixth Year as a Bootstrapped Founder
- My Third Year as a Solo Developer
- My Eighth Year as a Bootstrapped Founder
spotted an error? The archive wants to know.
Your turn
You just read one. Describe what you are building, and see who is betting on the same thing.
Free account · 3 free questions · no card