From first prototype
to Kickstarter fulfillment.
We grow with you.
Hardware manufacturing partner for early-stage startups: 10-part orders accepted, free DFM feedback, NDAs standard, honest engineering advice. From your first CAD file through pilot production, we\'ve been here before — with 14 years of hardware-startup experience.
Every stage has its own strategy.
Hardware startups go through predictable phases. Each phase has a different optimal manufacturing approach. Getting the match right saves cash, time, and iteration cycles.
Proof of concept (weeks 0–8)
Focus on form factor validation, not manufacturability. Iterate cheaply on geometry. Don't optimize for manufacturing yet — the design will change.
Alpha prototype (months 2–4)
First functional prototypes in real materials. Start drop testing, thermal testing, user interviews. DFM review for manufacturability — this is where we catch problems early.
Beta/pilot (months 4–8)
Beta users receive real functional units. Rapid aluminum tooling for plastic parts ($1,500–6,000 per tool, 500–5,000 shots). Design should be frozen or very nearly so.
Kickstarter/pre-order (months 8–14)
Fulfillment begins. Rapid aluminum tools can bridge 5,000+ units before steel tool is needed. Expect some unit iteration during early shipping based on user feedback.
Production scaling (months 12+)
Steel production tooling (4–8 week build time, 500,000+ shot life). Consider dedicated production partnerships. Volume economics start to dominate decisions.
What makes us startup-friendly.
No minimum order
10 parts accepted. No gatekeeping quantities. Start small, scale as you grow.
Free DFM feedback
Engineers review your CAD for manufacturability — free with every quote. Catches expensive mistakes early.
NDAs standard
Sign NDAs before detailed review on sensitive designs. We take confidentiality seriously.
Fast iteration
CNC parts in 5 days, 3D prints in 3 days. Iterate as fast as your team can.
Direct engineer access
Talk to the engineer who will make your parts. No salesperson layer between you and the shop floor.
Honest timelines
We commit to realistic lead times and meet them. No vague "we'll try" — either we can or we can't.
Kickstarter experience
Shipped thousands of Kickstarter units. Understand crowdfunding fulfillment challenges.
Scale with you
Same relationship at 10 parts or 10,000 parts. No handoff to a different team as you grow.
Engineering advice
Not just "here's your quote" — real advice on material choice, manufacturing process selection, tolerance trade-offs.