Are you an Entrepreneur looking to develop a product?
It’s a big leap to go from idea to market.
Our team provides practical advice in many areas as you organize both the product development and the business operations necessary to sell the product, once the design and development is completed.
Where do we start?
Where we start depends on the complexity of the product idea and where there are risks to execute, such as regulatory hurdles in some markets. Some projects will go quickly, others will require much more planning and revisions.
It is very difficult to find a team like ours with end-to-end product development experts, product marketing and supplier manufacturing set-up specialists all working together under one roof on many projects in many markets.
Step 1
The first big step is to understand the user of the new product and their needs.
Step 2
The next step is to create, refine and test a solution against your assumptions, then make a go or no-go decision.
Step 3
The last step is to create a set of specification documents and materials that will allow third party manufacturers to quote and produce the final product for you.
We Help Entrepreneurs Solve Product Design and Development Challenges
Here are a few areas we often start with, so you have the best shot at getting your idea off the page and into consumers hands
- Product Concept Review
- Research and Prototyping
- Risk identification
- Failed design attempt - rescues
- Design for manufacturing
- Market, user and supply planning
- App and cloud guidance
- Proof of concept models
We work closely with you to look at alternative designs, then together we select a high value minimum risk option that meets the target user needs.
We also have in-house expertise in product marketing-sales, supplier management and corporate materials content creation that can assist you as you set up your business and sales operations.
Our process goes one step at a time, focused on the planning and critical elements of the design, then the execution of the many details that make up the specifications for a third party to produce your product predictably and reliably in higher quantities.
Projects for Entrepreneurs With a Product Idea
Explore projects we have helped develop for companies with entrepreneurs.
Our Product Development Process
For entrepreneurs with a concept looking to develop a product.
Entrepreneur with a concept design, looking to develop a product
Our Expertise
Through integrating with your team, we get quickly up to speed, adapt to your processes, and provide innovative solutions to your product development challenges
Product Design Strategy
Armed with these insights, we work with you to set your overall product design strategy and refine product feature priorities.
Rapid Experimental Prototypes
Show and validate your design, reduce risk, and assess your product’s utility to customers prior to moving to volume manufacturing.
Reliable Engineering Solutions
Our expert engineering team has the analysis tools and technical expertise to help you reduce risk and solve tough problems.
Electronics Design and Wireless Connectivity
Add intelligence and connectivity to your product using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates hardware and software.
Award-Winning Industrial Design
Transform your vision into a useful engaging product by tapping into our proven process that delivers products customers love.
Component Sourcing and Supplier Strategy
Tap into our global supply chain partner to build-out a custom logistics network as you plan your path to market.
Product Packaging Design
Meet your business, brand, and customer needs with unique custom packaging that highlights your product’s features and value.
Manufacturing Setup
By sharing our skills, talent and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world class manufacturable product.
Entrepreneurs Who Worked With Design 1st
Leverage Our Expertise to Help Develop Part of Your Product
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Mike LeBlanc CEO, BlueKit Software 
IoT education kit moves from Arduino prototype to production
Read Case StudyWhat impressed me most was how Design 1st took the time to guide us through the hardware process, explain trade-offs, and help us make informed decisions. They delivered a production-ready cellular IoT device on schedule, and built our team’s capability to manage what comes next.
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Krista Teare Co-Founder, Toddlermonitor™ 
Brought us from concept to manufacturing
Read Case StudyDesign 1st helps us design our products for market readiness. They helped us with concept and product design followed by detailed engineering of our software, Wi-Fi-connectivity, and electronics. Once the manufacturable product design was finalized they helped us with packaging and sourcing a manufacturer.
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Jeri Rodrigs Founder, CEO, Rumidifier 
Transformed my napkin sketch into a working product
Read Case StudyI needed to transform the Rumidifier napkin sketch design into a working prototype and then a real product in order to engage retail buyers. In my search for a design firm, Design 1st deep experience and technical airflow capability really definitely stood out for me. They were able to finalize my design for manufacturing and also added a valuable claim to my patent whilst making the product more efficient.
Other Companies We Service
COMPANIES OR STARTUPS
Without a development team
COMPANIES
With a Development Team
Our Commitment to you
Our designers, engineers, and product specialists provide you with a fast, professional path from concept ideas to your first product sales.
We Recognize Your Ownership
It is your idea, your product, your patents, and your awards. We provide critical guidance to drive your project forward and get our motivation from your success.
Communication is Critical
Our process centres on close collaboration with you and your team. We invest in the best tools to collaborate remotely with you on design concepts and engineering details.
Tools to Save Time and Money
We invest in the most sophisticated tools for design, product visualization, engineering analysis, in-house prototyping, and manufacturing support.
Talented People Work Together
Our multi-functional design and engineering team works closely together with you to find solutions that work. Our manufacturing team guides our design choices.
Reduce Design Risk
Our Lean Product Design Process is based on rapid iterations to produce concrete ideas and tangible prototypes that can be viewed, assessed, tested, and refined.
Pride in Your Success
By sharing our skills, talent, and network of partners, we are committed to the success of your world-class manufacturable product as you move to market.
Portfolio of Projects
Across every industry, our team excels at developing technically complex projects.
Helpful Resources
How Much Do Prototypes Cost?
One of the most common questions we get is how much does a prototype cost to make? This is a tricky question, as prototypes can be free or cost upwards of $100,000. It all depends on why you want a prototype.
Top 12 Ways to Fund Your Product Development
Funding is critical to the success of any new physical product development project. To help you secure funding for your product development project, we have put together a list of the top sources
6 Types of Prototypes Every New Product Must Do
Prototyping helps remove design risks and leads to successful product outcomes. Here are the 6 types of prototypes every successful physical product does
Your Vision Brought to Life
Design 1st integrates our knowledge and expertise with yours to refresh your product