This is a good comment, and sheds more light on the subject. The long lead time is a question of agility. This is subtly but importantly different that path-dependency (considered more of a lock-in to an existing technology). The link is that the ways of making the company more agile (investing in specialized manufacturing/prototyping and/or inventory) tend to create a more path-dependent trajectory (or opportunity set). So, perhaps this is better said that HW has 'interial' dependency on initial trajectory if not true path dependency per-se. Even provided that the startup is low-capital/outsourcing model. I hope this does some justice to incorporating your point.
Nice comment. I think there is indeed an inherent "inertial" in hardware business.
A software/website service can have different usage. Users may prefer to use a smaller part of the service, or using the main service for purposes not originally conceived by the creators. In this way there is a chance of pivoting.
However a piece of hardware has a very focused usage. All parts are integrated to provide a single function for the user.
Also, unlike software, there is no straightforward way to collect real-time data on how a user uses their hardware.
