Knowledge Hub

Answers to your most pressing hardware manufacturing questions

Home / Knowledge Hub

Finance and Feasibility

Product Design

Production at Scale

Prototyping

Regulation and Certification

Supply Chain

How Product Design Decisions Can Make or Break Your Cost Model

Product Design

Most early-stage growth companies can create a technically viable prototype but struggle with engineering challenges related to cost-effectiveness, implementation, and market viability. In other words,… Read More »

Why Hardware Startups Should Design Prototypes for Failure

Product Design

Hardware entrepreneurs often introduce several failed versions of beta prototypes before commercializing their product, sapping confidence from investors and spouses alike. How do you avoid… Read More »

Finding the Perfect Partner: The Do’s and Don’ts of Engaging Suppliers

Supply Chain

Hardware start-ups are challenged when moving from designing early product design to supplier engagement. Let’s be honest, most contract manufacturers would prefer to be working… Read More »

Moving from Alpha to Beta Prototypes—Getting it Right

The Secret to Moving Successfully from Alpha to Beta Prototypes

Prototyping

Explore the spectrum from Alpha to Beta prototypes, and learn how to mitigate design risks in a beta phase. Alpha Vs. Beta Prototypes No matter… Read More »

The 3-Stage Human-Centered Design Approach Your Startup Should Be Using

Product Design

Amidst the chaos that is startup life, it’s important to keep in mind who really matters: your customers. Powered by insight from the design firm… Read More »

7 Rapid Prototyping Methods You Need for Your Hardware Startup

Prototyping

7 Rapid Prototyping Methods You Need for your Hardware Startup Explore the trade-offs among seven leading rapid prototyping techniques. Which is appropriate for your product… Read More »

Build vs. Buy: Determining What to Outsource and What to Keep In-House

Supply Chain

While an in-housing strategy can help protect valuable IP, most hardware startups cannot make the capital investment required to build prototypes in-house. Don’t take the… Read More »

Keeping Your Secrets Secret: Managing Intellectual Property and Third Parties

Supply Chain

In a technology-driven age, information-sharing occurs at a rapid rate. Start-ups that fail to protect intellectual property early come to regret that prioritization failure. Learn… Read More »

You’re Only as Strong as Your Weakest Link: Assessing Supply Chain Risk

Supply Chain

Each part of your supply chain is capable of influencing the system as a whole (for better or for worse). Keep this in mind when… Read More »