For non-technical founders
Hardware product development for startups whose founders know the market, not the circuit board
You know the customer, the problem and why now. We bring the engineering: a staged roadmap with a fixed price for each step, a product you can put in front of investors and pilot users, and a clean handover when you hire your own team.
- Fixed price per stage
- Investor-ready pack
- Handover to your team
- You own every file
The short answer
Can I build a hardware product without a technical cofounder?
Yes, if someone owns the engineering properly and you keep control of the decisions. Work in stages, each with a fixed price and a clear result you can see before you pay for the next one. Make sure every file and account is in your name, so you can hire your own engineers later without starting again.
Who does what
You lead the business, we engineer the product
| You own | We own |
|---|---|
| The customer and the problem you solve | The architecture, parts and design choices |
| Pricing, sales and fundraising | Prototypes, testing and certification |
| The go or no-go at every stage | The fixed quote and the plan for each stage |
| The vision for version two | The factory handoff and production support |
Your roadmap
Six stages, a fixed price for each, and a gate before every next step
Stage 01 of 06 · what you see before the next step
Validate
A clear verdict on whether it can be built and sold at your price.
Feasibility studyStage 02 of 06 · what you see before the next step
Define
The first version's features, parts and target cost, agreed in writing.
Product designStage 03 of 06 · what you see before the next step
Works-like and looks-like
A working prototype and a realistic model to test and show.
PrototypingStage 04 of 06 · what you see before the next step
What's inside
The board, firmware and connectivity designed for production.
PCB designStage 05 of 06 · what you see before the next step
Certify
The FCC and safety tests it needs to be sold in the US, passed.
CertificationStage 06 of 06 · what you see before the next step
Scale
A pilot run, then a factory for your first thousands.
ManufacturingAlso inside:FirmwareConnected or appOn-device AI
Investor-ready pack
The answers investors ask a hardware founder for
Investors back hardware they can see working and numbers they can check. We prepare both as part of your roadmap.
Working prototype
A prototype that does the job, not just a good-looking shell.
Unit cost at volume
What each unit costs to make at 1,000 and 10,000, part by part.
Parts supply risk
Which parts are single-source or hard to get, and the backups.
Certification plan
The tests it needs before sale, with a plan and a budget.
Factory shortlist
Named factory options for your volume and your price.
Staged roadmap
Every stage to launch, with its fixed price and its gate.
When you hire
A clean handover when you build your own engineering team
When you're ready to hire, your engineers start from a documented product, not a mystery. Design files, firmware source, test plans and supplier contacts are already in your accounts, and we walk your new team through all of it.
- Files in your accounts
- Source code in your repo
- Test plans and results
- Supplier contacts
- Walk-through for your team
Before you sign with anyone
Red flags to watch for in any hardware development firm
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Vague answers on who owns the IP | You could end up paying for a design you don't own. |
| No look at work in progress | Problems stay hidden until the money is spent. |
| Yes to every feature and deadline | Something will slip, usually cost or quality. |
| Hourly billing with no stage prices | You can't plan your runway around an open meter. |
Guides:Engineering firm vs design firmIn-house vs outsourcedOffshore vs domesticPrototype vs MVP
Our own work
Products we've engineered
FAQ
Questions non-technical founders ask us
Do I need a technical cofounder to build a hardware product?
No, but someone has to own the engineering properly. We take that role stage by stage while you keep every decision and every file.
How much does it cost to develop a hardware product?
It depends on what's inside it. Your free roadmap review gives budget ranges for each stage of your product, and each stage gets a fixed price before it starts.
How long does it take to get a hardware product to market?
For a first electronic product, usually many months, because prototyping, certification and tooling all sit on the path. Your roadmap shows a timeline for your product.
Who owns the design and the IP?
You do. Files, source code and accounts are in your name from the start.
What do investors want to see from a hardware startup?
Usually a working prototype, a believable unit cost at volume, a plan for certification and manufacturing, and evidence that customers want it. Our investor-ready pack covers the engineering side.
What happens when I hire my own engineers?
We hand over a documented product: design files, firmware, test plans and supplier contacts, and we walk your team through it.
Can I stop after any stage?
Yes. Each stage ends at a gate, and you decide whether to continue.
Will you sign an NDA?
Yes, before you share any details.
Free roadmap review
Get your free roadmap review
Tell us about your product and where you are today. We'll sign the NDA and send you a staged roadmap for your product, with budget ranges for each stage. No obligation.
Tell us about your idea
Share as much or as little as you like. An engineer reads every enquiry and replies within one business day, under NDA before you share details.