Embedded Computing Design

The electronics industry as we know it today is really built around three fundamental categories of products (we might call them the three "S's"):  software, semiconductors, and systems. Innovation happens in each of the three categories which spurs further progress, creating a "virtuous cycle" driving the whole industry forward. Innovation in software has always had the lowest barrier to entry from a financial perspective - literally anyone with decent coding skills and a computer can start with very little money needed for anything else.  Creating system-level hardware has been only slightly more financially challenging.  Just about anyone can get some relatively low-cost PCB layout software, design a board, and then gather a small amount of money to buy some chips and have their board or boards fabricated.