bulletproof glass. We can have batteries explode;
even rocket motors can be used in a safe way. No
one in the audience is at risk, none of the drivers
are at risk. All this safety means more options for
builders to get creative with their designs.
With safe procedures and more space, I knew
we could host bigger, badder robot fights. That
would mean more cages, bleachers for fans, and
a lot more media gear. We went up to four weight
classes: 3lb, 12lb, 12lb Sportsman, and 30lb.
The second half of 2020 was spent outfitting
that building to be ready to have robot events
again, starting in February 2021. We were crazy
enough to say “come and bring your robot to fight”
— and people did, in droves. In February we had 49
robots, and set up the pits, where builders do their
repairs, outside in the parking lot. At our next, in
March, we had 68; then 83 in May and 111 in July.
It was easy to see we were on to something.
We were seeing more people, coming from
farther and farther away, and as Covid receded
and travel got a little easier, we just kept getting
bigger and bigger.
READY TO GO BIG
That was the point when I realized that Norwalk
Havoc was becoming more than a hobby. The
community was starting to see us as the future of
this niche but growing sport. We were getting big,
and really competitive, and I knew we needed a
dedicated team in order to exist long-term.
In the summer of 2021, I started looking for
someone who could run the league full time, and
help monetize and scale it beyond the walls of our
warehouse. I was introduced to Kelly Biderman,
who had years of experience in media working at
places like The Wall Street Journal and Katie Couric
Media, but no background in robotics. I laid out the
opportunity — noting that she would be absolutely
crazy if she took this job — and perhaps she didn’t
believe me, but she came on board as CEO of our
new company, Havoc Robotics, in the fall.
Kelly’s “outsider” perspective has been really
valuable so far; she’s brought in a professional
production team and content strategist who
have leveled up our livestream to resemble
a broadcast-quality program, and helped us
increase our digital audience by several thousand
by marketing our massive content library more
efficiently. She has big ideas and ambitions
around sponsorships and partnerships with
brands that share our values. Those values:
making STEM fun; encouraging innovation
and creativity while pushing limits, safely; and
celebrating and supporting builders and makers.
We’ve built a strong community over the years,
WE’VE BUILT A STRONG COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS, AND WE FEEL STRONGLY
ABOUT PUTTING OUR BUILDERS FIRST, BECAUSE WE’D BE NOWHERE WITHOUT THEM.
37
make.co
Austin McChord, Jon C R Bennett / JCRBPhoto
The team pits.
M81_034-39_SS_NorwalkHavoc_F1.indd 37M81_034-39_SS_NorwalkHavoc_F1.indd 37 4/12/22 1:50 PM4/12/22 1:50 PM
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