010: I have an idea, now what? Developing, testing & prototyping physical products.

Product Startup · 14 Jun 2016 · 30m

What this episode covers

Filip Valica, host of the Product Startup Podcast and engineer at Mako Design + Invent, explains how to validate product ideas and build prototypes on any budget. He argues that ideas have little value until validated through customer feedback and iterative prototyping, warning against the 'if you build it, they will come' trap. Valica details a spectrum of prototyping methods, from DIY cardboard and dollar-store 'Frankenstein' builds to using 3D printing services like Shapeways and outsourcing to manufacturers or invention promotion companies.

Mentioned

Companies
Mako Design + Invent, Savage Jerky, Mini Materials, Versakini
Products
Lego Mindstorms
Tools
SketchUp, TinkerCad
Also
Filip Valica, Gordon Firemark, Shapeways, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, David Brankle, Brad Sumney, Mat Hofma, Erik Polumbo, Kelsey Duffy

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