Product Development Services

What are Product Development Services?

Product development is the entire end-to-end process of planning, researching, strategizing, sketching, designing, prototyping and manufacturing to transform a conceptual idea into a fully-functional, market-ready product. It incorporates all of our services such as industrial design services and mechanical engineering services, especially early on in the product development cycle. We also offer specialized services such as electrical product development for projects that require electrical components such as printed circuit boards (PCB).

1. RESEARCH & STRATEGIZE

MARKET RESEARCH / PRODUCT GUIDELINES / NDA

At MAKO, we take intellectual property protection extremely seriously. Thus, the first thing all parties do is sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) whether they work with us or not parties to keep all invention information confidential. For those who decide to come on board, we then discuss business objectives, timeline, product requirements, monetization plans, the market, and provide research and recommendations on optimal technologies and components for your product. From all of this, a Product Design Document is put together so we can keep accurate track of all design specifications throughout the course of this project.

2. SKETCH

IDEATE / CONCEPTUALIZE / EVALUATE / CONSOLIDATE

An iterative and creative design process with the objective of visually communicating each of the inventor’s product features inside their overall visual design of the product as a whole. Together with our design and engineering teams, you and MAKO will evaluate these individual parts and the overall design theme to ensure the user experience, functionality, and aesthetics are aligned with your product vision and business objectives. Our designers, engineering team, and the inventor will then make any final edits or adjustments before going into the next CAD design phase

3. DESIGN

CAD / RENDERINGS

Based on the sketches and Product Design Document, we’ll begin to design a state-of-the-art 3D CAD of the invention to highlight aesthetics and functionality. And from the very beginning, we take DFM into consideration to help ensure your production run goes as smooth as possible. As a world-class firm, we only build the CAD with full manufacturing-grade top-of-the-line software products such as Solidworks Premier or Fusion360. This requires more technical expertise; however, it makes the design and engineering process far smoother, and far easier to jump into product manufacturing (and creates far more product value in the design along the way).

4. ENGINEER

ASSESS / OPTIMIZE / SIMULATE

Here is where our clients truly understand the value and versatility of a well-designed CAD. With the CAD, clients, designers, and engineers alike can learn about how well the product functions, how much it weighs, and other key aspects of the invention well before it’s even manufactured as we run the CAD through various simulations. Mechanical engineers specifically will learn how to optimize some of the physical elements such as stress, weight, durability, and performance. While electrical engineers will design and develop systems with printed circuit boards (PCB), sensors, Wi-Fi, and other electrical components. Together, the designers, and engineers work together to take into account every part of the invention and optimize the CAD exactly as you envisioned.

5. PROTOTYPE

BUILD / MEASURE / LEARN

The purpose of the CAD is to confirm that the product design is feasible and functional from a virtual perspective. The product prototyping phase gives you the opportunity to hold and use a tangible product to learn how the product looks and functions in the real world. Prototyping also gives you the opportunity to refine and perfect the final design to minimize costs and risks before going to full production. Whether it’s iterative, parallel, rapid prototyping, or our very own Smart MVP process, our prototype development services are designed to help ensure you’re ready for user testing, investment pitches, crowdfunding, and everything in between.

6. PATENT

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION / SECURITY

We have preferred connections and pricing with a network of patent attorneys to help our clients with all things related to IP (Intellectual Property) protection. Our clients get quality patenting work, affordably through our network of US and Canadian patent attorneys.

A TRUE END-TO-END EXPERIENCE

This is a collaboration in every sense of the word. We believe every project, big or small, deserves the backing of passionate designers and relentless problem solvers to transform it into a product that truly reflects your vision. Because when you come to MAKO, we understand that you’re putting your trust and faith in our team – and we take that responsibility seriously At every step of the product development process, we will match your timeline, help ensure you stay within your budget, and make the product you’ve always dreamed of making.

DRIVEN TO HELP YOU SUCCEED

A well-engineered and beautifully manufactured product is really just the baseline for us. With your vision guiding our team. we explore every possible opportunity to help you disrupt the existing market. Whether it’s upcoming product trends, experimental technologies, or predicted pricing fluctuations due to supply chain issues, chances are, you’ll hear about the future of product development first before anyone else. And we’ll provide you with tips for product development success and help you navigate the challenging landscape of the hardware product industry. Because in the end, your success is our success.

AWARD-WINNING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

We take great pride in having a development library of over 1,000 products. Each one is meticulously designed by our team of in-house designers and engineers. A team that’s made up of some of the best minds from Fortune 500 product development services companies including Dell, Nike, Bose, and Boeing. A team that’s proven time and time again that home inventors can with the very best in the world. Over the years, we’ve helped clients win the world’s most renowned product awards including the Red Dot, Chicago Good Design, and dozens more.

OPTION 1:
SELL YOUR PRODUCT
TO CUSTOMERS

With a fully manufactured product, you’re ready to start pitching your product to customers or resellers such as retailers or wholesalers. Those who are interested in selling directly to customers have more tools than ever to pre-sell through crowdfunding or easily set up an online store or even a custom website that will help you set yourself apart from your competitors. Others may take the B2B route and pitch their product to big-box retailers and get their product onto store shelves. Whatever your decision, MAKO has the connections to launch, market, and get your products in people’s hands.

OPTION 2:
LICENSE YOUR PRODUCT
TO A BRAND

Some inventors just want to get their product designed to a point where they can then license their invention idea to an existing product brand. Either way you go, completing world-class product design is a critical first step. If looking to license directly after design, MAKO would then set you up with a patent attorney so you can protect your IP before pitching your idea to licensors. Keep in mind that the further you develop your product, the higher the probability of licensing, so you may want to have MAKO engineer and/or prototype your design before you start pitching to get a licensing deal.

OPTION 3:
RAISE INVESTMENT
TO SCALE AND EXPAND

A good problem to have is when demand exceeds supply. Maybe you have the capacity to expand your business by hiring people, upgrading your website, or purchasing management software. The one thing these things have in common is that you need capital to grow your business. One route many inventors take is to raise money from investors to help them scale. And by having a fully manufactured product, you’ll be able to attract better investors and have to share less equity while raising more money than you could with just a virtual design. And if you really want to impress investors, prove that your product has traction in the market.

1. PRODUCT DESIGN

This includes industrial design services. This is the first and most important step in the product development cycle. This is the foundation of all product development to come, so is critically important to have it done right.

2. ENGINEERING

Mechanical engineering and electrical engineering (for those products with electronics) are the detailed work on the CAD to ensure that all components of the product design work cohesively, reliably, and predictably.

3. PROTOTYPING

Before the product reaches the market, it’s important to test the form and functionality with a prototype. Prototypes are also a great way to generate traction for marketing, pre-sales, crowdfunding, and financing initiatives.