Why we started POCO Club

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A few years ago, our founder, Gurpawan Mand, ordered a fingerprint sensor from a popular website. We won’t name it though. When the shipment arrived, there was no documentation or manual. The sensor that arrived was not working. After trying to figure it out, he contacted customer support. That too failed him, as there was no response from the team. The sensor was redundant.

Frustrated with the service and also the product, he made up his mind to come up with a product that would have all the content, components, and tools in one place, besides being supported with top-of-the-class technical support. That was how the seeds of Mand Labs and now POCO Club were sown.

At POCO Club, we want to bring the joy of creating and building to our members. We love to build everything from scratch because electronics provide us with endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. So, whether you are a seasoned engineer or a curious beginner, let us learn, create, and tinker with circuits and indulge in a hobby that allows for some fun, interactive, and creative construction.

However, we understand the pain points of aspiring hobbyists. How diving into this field can be intimidating. We get messages from our customers often about how they face problems in sourcing different components, or getting stuck in troubleshooting. This can stifle our passion. Navigating complex concepts and sourcing the right kind of materials can be an overwhelming journey. Moreover, seeking support over forums could get confusing. Having someone to support us when we need provides comfort and confidence to learn.
We are committed to solving the fundamental problems for new beginners and enthusiasts, irrespective of skill and knowledge levels- where to start, what to study, what to buy, and how to progress from A to B to Z. 

The Inspiration Behind POCO Club

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Before starting POCO Club, one of the most pressing challenges we identified in the electronics hobbyist community was accessibility to high-quality learning materials. We encountered a common hurdle: access to high-quality learning materials. The internet is flooded with information, making it daunting to find reliable, beginner-friendly resources. Sifting through countless tutorials, videos, and articles can be discouraging. Many of these resources are either too advanced for beginners or lack the depth needed for serious learners, which makes it difficult for newcomers to understand fundamental concepts.

Additionally, finding components and tools locally in one place has always been a setback, limiting access to hands-on experimentation. We knew there was a better way. So, we created the POCO Club, where anyone — from complete novices to seasoned engineers — could learn and pursue their passion for electronics. It was born from the belief that anyone can become an electronics enthusiast with the right support, resources, and community.  

We wanted to cultivate an environment where creativity flourishes — members can tinker, build, and experiment while having fun learning and doing. At POCO Club, you can build skills step-by-step through do-it-yourself hands-on projects and comprehensive, easy-to-understand learning materials that cater to all skill levels. Our hands-on projects provide a clear learning path, helping you build your skills.  

We founded POCO Club to create a centralized hub for quality electronics projects. Our hands-on projects are engaging and easily doable with the step-by-step guide, ensuring that everyone — regardless of their starting point — can easily complete the projects. Our base curriculum of 60 projects is extensive and sets the foundation for you.
 
By focusing on hands-on learning, we want to inspire our members to turn their ideas into reality, sparking a lifelong passion for electronics.
The Parts Dilemma

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Another major obstacle electronics enthusiasts face is the challenge of sourcing reliable, and quality components or parts at reasonable prices. We have experienced it first-hand, and many hobbyists tell us about their struggle to find components or parts locally. We understand the pain when these ordered parts from even the most popular stores don’t work.
So, we understand why parts need to be pre-tested. And why replacements should be made a breeze if anything goes wrong.

Moreover, ordering online can lead to long wait times and high shipping costs. This can discourage budding engineers from starting projects or experimenting with new ideas. At POCO Club, we aim to simplify this process. We have partnered with Jameco Electronics to ensure that everyone has easy access to the components they need for their projects.  We test the components we recommend, so you have peace of mind and assurance that the parts will work. 

Why Jameco? Our partner has been in business for over 50 years and boasts over 50,000 semiconductors, passives, interconnects, electromechanical, power supplies, LEDs, and other popular electronic components. Additionally, when you order from our authorized partner, you can get the components at a discounted price.
Benefits of joining POCO Club

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  • Comprehensive learning resources: POCO Club provides step-by-step, comprehensive, easy-to-understand learning materials, including project tutorials, and video content that cater to all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast, our resources will help you work on your projects step-by-step.
  • Hands-on experience: We believe that the best way to learn is by doing. So, all our projects are hands-on, and you will get ample opportunities to apply the concepts that you have learned.  
  • Affordable access to parts/ components: Sourcing components can be a significant hurdle for many hobbyists. As a member of the POCO Club, you will benefit from exclusive discounts on parts and components, making it easier to get everything you need for your projects without breaking the bank.
  • Exclusive discounts and offers: As a POCO Club member, you can enjoy exclusive discounts on parts, kits, and tools. You will not only save money but also take on projects you might have otherwise put off.
  • New projects every week: Our weekly projects service will surprise you with new projects every week. Our goal is to publish at least one project per week. It is an A la Carte, so you can choose the topic that interests you and work on that project. 
  • Fun and creative environment: We believe that learning should be enjoyable! At POCO Club we have fun challenges and competitions that will inspire creativity. 

So, what are you waiting for? Join POCO Club today to build and experiment with new projects. This is a place for beginners, enthusiasts, and seasoned engineers as we help you build skills and knowledge in electronics and beyond through APPB (activity-problem-project-based) learning. 

We cannot wait to see what you’ll create next!

About Author

Urmila Marak

Urmila, who is a Big Data and STEM enthusiast, works as the head of communications with Mand Labs. She is a believer in transformation of life and career through STEM. She can be reached on Twitter @umarak.

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