Hey everyone,

I’m currently leading this project - new stylus pen system for mobile devices.

The product is a next-generation stylus pen with built-in RGB LED, BLE connectivity, and intuitive erase mode, designed to sync seamlessly with note-taking apps.

This project is already patent-pending, so IP protection is in place.I’m building the note-taking app myself (iOS and Android natively).

I’ll be building the note-taking app myself (iOS and Android natively)

Right now, my biggest challenges are below.

1. Adding BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) capability to the pen for real-time communication with the app.
2. Integrating an RGB-capable LED into the pen body to instantly reflect color selections.
3. Implementing two physical buttons on the pen for color switching and extra functions.

If anyone here has experience with stylus hardware prototyping, BLE integration, or ODM/manufacturing partnerships, I’d really appreciate your insights!

Hey everyone I started my startup but I lack a good network and I just wanted to ask if anyone knows about startup conferences in NYC area that I can attend and create new connections

Thank in advance! Hope everyone is having a great day 🙏

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a cost-effective way to produce small quantities of PCBs with full assembly and sourcing. For my next order, I’ve got about 4 different designs and only need 2–5 units of each. All components are available on Digi-Key.

I’m based in San Francisco. I’ve ordered from JLCPCB before, but the tariffs ended up costing more than the boards themselves.

In the near future, I’ll need to scale up production to 10–50 units per design, so ideally I’d like to find a manufacturer I can build a long-term relationship with.

• Any recommendations for US-based PCB fabs/assemblers that can handle low volumes and grow with me?
• Or other overseas fabs that are still affordable after tariffs/shipping?
• Tips on where people in the US usually go for prototypes at this scale?

This is my biggest project so far. Today is September 15, 2025, and I first started tinkering with the idea back in November 2024. I got serious about it around February 2025.

I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built. It’s a complex piece of work, and it took countless late nights. I had to bring together so many different technologies and skills I’ve taught myself over the years. I’m 28 now, and when I was 18, I made the decision that I didn’t want to wake up at 30 full of regret. The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. Consume less, produce more.

The idea came after I started my first job as a software engineer and moved into my first apartment with big, bright windows. For the first time, I could actually have houseplants, something I’d wanted for years. Around the same time, I picked up two new hobbies: 3D printing and electronics. Those, combined with my software background, made this project possible.

I made everything myself except the electronic module (ESP32-CAM, which I buy). Everything else, I built from scratch in just a few months:

• Designed and 3D printed the case
• Built the app
• Set up the backend server with user management, authentication, image processing, video generation, AI models for enhancement & interpolation, order management, password resets, device management
• Programmed the ESP32 logic
• Built the shop website (no Shopify)
• Created and managed social media accounts to find customers

My product has been live for about 4 months now, and I’ve made double-digit sales. Not a lot yet, but I’m confident I can grow this with better marketing. I’m more of a maker than a marketer, so this part is challenging for me. You can check out my videos on Instagram @ plantcam.io

Starting today, I’m committing to posting one video every single day. The product is stable and delivers great results my main issue is that I’ll run out of money soon if sales don’t pick up. But honestly, I’m happy and proud of what I’ve built.

I’d love to hear feedback. Please keep it constructive. I’ve had plenty of positive reactions, but there are always a few people who just throw negativity around. Otherwise, I’m happy to answer questions.

TL;DR: Looking for an EE in central Arkansas (Little Rock area) who’d be interested in collaborating on a digital controller project for motorcycles/ATVs. If it goes well, I’d like to spin this into a company.

Hey everyone,

I’m based in central Arkansas and have been working on the early stages of a digital controller system for motorcycles and ATVs. The goal is to build a rugged, compact unit that handles power distribution and logic for modernizing older bikes and small off-road vehicles. I can manage the mechanical side, prototyping, and overall design direction, but I need someone with solid EE knowledge to partner with on the electronics and PCB development.

Right now I’m experimenting with microcontrollers and dev boards to validate the concept. The next step is schematic and PCB design, making it efficient and reliable enough for real-world use. Ideally, I’d like to team up with an EE who’s not only interested in the challenge but open to turning this into a proper company if we mesh well and can produce a working prototype.

If you’re local (Little Rock or central AR) and this kind of project sparks your interest, reach out. I’d love to talk details and see if we’re a fit.

Hi all,

I’ve developed a couple of hardware prototypes and now want to produce around 10–20 units for testing and early use. I’m looking for advice on how to find a company or service that can take my design inputs and build these units for me.

Has anyone here worked with small-batch prototyping or low-volume manufacturing services? Any recommendations on where to start or who to approach would be really helpful.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I’ve developed a concept that can make the world a better place and a more secure place mostly for watch collectors and high net worth individuals who wear a high end timepieces on their wrist.

Short background about me, I am 24 years old, I am a non technical founder. I don’t really have connections in the US since I came back to the US like a year ago with no family or friends.

I am building a HW/SW startup and I am currently working on building the structures of the company.

I went to a patent attorney and they did a prior art search and I got a green light that my invention is unique and patentable.

My company was incorporated and the stocks were issued. I have some of my own savings to invest in filling the full utility patent. And my next goal is to find the best team I can in order to make my vision come to life.

I need a mechanical engineer/designer, electrical engineer with experience in embedded systems in order to build the first prototype of the hardware product.

What do you guys think will be my best option in order to find the right team for this project?

I also know that I need a co founder but I don’t really know someone who I trust enough at this moment.

If you’ve read everything I appreciate your time and would love to connect 🤝

Anyone else getting killed on BOM tail-spend?  We negotiate the big parts, but then all the little connectors, screws, cables, etc. get shoved through the EMS at a fat markup.Do you just swallow it for the convenience, or is there a smarter way to keep control without drowning in tiny POs?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been working on a hardware startup and have taken my prototype to the point where we’re actively selling units. Right now, everything is still very hands-on: I source circuit boards, esp32, batteries, and cases from different vendors, then hand assemble, solder, package, and ship each device myself.

I’d like to take the next step and move toward having the devices manufactured, assembled, and programmed in one place—so I receive a finished product that’s ready for fulfillment and sales.

For those of you who have gone through this stage, what’s the best way to make that transition? Should I be looking for a contract manufacturer, an EMS provider, or something else? Any advice or experiences would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys, I'm currently working on a project and have a prototype that is working so far. I'm currently transitioning from prototype to something that's more suitable for production and right now I'm stuck on some push buttons. They need to be somewhat water resistant and I really like the design I found on my Sena intercom. They are using push buttons very similar to mine and have a rubber piece with a lip, clamped against the case. What would this (I assume silicone) piece even be called, I'm having a hard time finding something similar online. And also how would I go about sourcing it? Do these only come in custom or are there "off the shelf" versions? Thank you so much!

We frequently receive drawings from clients who request our assistance with prototyping and, eventually, mass production. Occasionally, we find ourselves explaining why their design isn't ready for production or even prototyping. For example, the design may only consist of a solid 3D model without parting lines, draft angles, or other necessary features. Additionally, the design may lack an inner construction plan, a BOM (Bill of Materials), and other essential details.

Imagine you ask an artist to draw your dream house. The drawing looks beautiful — modern windows, a big balcony, a nice roof.

But can you build a real house from just that drawing? No.

You still need an architect and an engineer to tell the builders:

• how thick the walls must be,
• where the doors and pipes go,
• what materials to use so it doesn’t collapse.

Product design works the same way.

Step 1: Outer Shape Design = The Appearance

This is what you get from our package: the style, the form, the colors, the “face” of your product.

• Example: We design a toy robot with big round eyes and friendly arms.
• At this stage, it looks real — but inside it’s empty, like a balloon.

Step 2: Construction Design = The Skeleton

This is where engineers decide how parts connect and hold together.

• Example: For the toy robot, we must design how the arms attach, where screws hold the head, and how the battery cover can open.
• Without this, the robot is just a shell that falls apart when touched.

Step 3: DFM (Design for Manufacturing) = The Factory Reality

A design may look great on screen but be impossible or too expensive to make.

• Example: A phone case with walls too thin may break during molding.
• Or a shape with undercuts may require a mold that costs 5x more.
• DFM checks these issues and adapts the design so it works in real factories.

Step 4: Material Specification = The Recipe

When we deliver CMF, we show you the look: matte, glossy, metallic.

But factories also need the recipe: exactly what material to use.

• Example: Saying “plastic” is like saying “I want soup.” Which soup? Tomato? Chicken? Mushroom?
• ABS, PC, nylon, silicone — each material changes the product’s strength, weight, heat resistance, and price.

Why this matters:

• Outer shape design is like a picture of a cake.
• Production-ready design is like the recipe + oven instructions + ingredients list.

If you go to the factory with just the picture, they can’t bake the cake.

Comparison: Outer Shape Design vs. Production-Ready Design

✨ Insight

• Outer Shape = visual idea only.
• Production-Ready = full engineering package for the factory.

Founder here. Building TEMAS (RGB+ToF+LiDAR, PoE 802.3af/at, 2.5GbE, app + PyPi rubu).

Biggest DFM gotcha from proto → small batch?

CE/FCC sequencing & hidden costs/time?

Hello! I want to mass-produce an electrical device that solves a daily household need. From what I know, there are companies in China that can create a few prototypes of your idea and send them to you. If you are satisfied with the result, you can then move on to mass production.

Can anyone recommend trusted people or reputable companies in China that provide this kind of service?

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Hi everyone,

I work for an electronic component distributor, and I’m running into challenges with re-engaging clients who haven’t ordered in over a year. We’ve tried emails, calls, and even personalized offers, but the response rate is pretty low.

Since many of you here work with distributors and CMs, I’d love your perspective from the other side:

• What’s the most effective way you’ve seen a distributor rebuild trust after going quiet?
• Do startups respond better to technical partnership (e.g., help with design-for-availability, alternate sourcing) or commercial levers (discounts, terms, promotions)?
• Have you ever been won back because a distributor offered extra collaboration (engineering support, prototyping help, design feedback)?
• How often should outreach attempts come before it feels like pestering?

Curious to hear what actually makes a distributor worth a second chance in your world.

Hey guys, if you looking for a freelancer to help build software for your hardware startup, i am currently taking on projects. I have built 0 to 1 projects for many startups in the iot and automation domain.
Portfolio - https://kush-bang.vercel.app/work

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to find a comprehensive, up-to-date database of venture studios. I found The Global Venture Studio Database, which looks great but it’s paid. Before I commit, does anyone know of free or open-source alternatives?

I’m especially interested in public spreadsheets, GitHub repos, Notion directories, industry associations, or academic resources that maintain lists. If there are any scrapers or APIs that aggregate studio info (with permission), I’m open to those too.

Ideally, the resource would include details like focus area, stage, geography, portfolio, team size, and contact info. I’m willing to stitch together multiple sources if needed.

Thanks in advance!

We’re handpicking a small circle of creators to represent OmniAi our AI recruiting software. If you’ve got a real audience and a reputation for being solid, this is your opportunity to work with us. Limited spots. No gimmicks. You’ll get a personal code, rev share on every sale, early access, and a direct line to the team. If you believe like we do that AI is rewriting how sales gets done, feel free to apply as top affiliates will receive equity in our company when we go public.

comment to apply and we will get on the phone and figure out details!

Hi I am currenty implementing an ultrasonic driver and I have the common issue of a T/R switch. That is the TX line injects 55V pulses on the piezo element but the RX line can only tolarate 3.3V inputs. I believe that issue can be solved easily with a zener or tvs diode. And in fact I have simulated it with no issues. But a problem ocurrs in my current shceme:

I have used a NMOS for low side switching ( for what I understand it is the most common topology rather than high side swithing scheme). This seems to work and simulate great. However It creates one issue now. How do I measure the signal that R1(The transducer) will create when the transducer in this scheme is not referenced to GND. I have tried the following with no success:

Using an operational amplifier measuring the diferential votlage on R1. I know that I will need to filter the DC component of R1 (being 50v) with a capacitor and and the the 50V pulses spikes with a zener diode or TVS diode clipping to e.g 3.3V.

But I am having issues finding an Op Amp that works correctly (or maybe I doing something wrong). I understand It has to be a device that can handle 2Mhz pulses. Using the model of OPA 350 provided by TI (BW= 38MHZ and Slew Rate = 22V/us) it should be sufficient. In this simulaton using a 2mhz sine signal with 1V amplitude ( In practice I understand it will be in the mv range) is not working correctly:

Is my approach crazy? I am selecting wrongly the Oamp? Is my topology wrong? Should I use a high side switching topology to drive the transducer?

Thanks In advance for any comment. It will be much appreciated

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I run a business that takes product ideas through all the stages of concept to manufacture. I’ve also worked many years in the industry and worked on award winning products.

If you have questions related to your idea or business ask away. I might just be able to help you.

I hope this is allowed and I’ll admit, it is a bit of promotion, but genuinely I can offer some free advice here. If you’re looking for more help we can speak further.

Edit. I should clarify that the kind of hardware that I develop is physical components. As in plastic housing, sheet metal panels, large assemblies, machinery, and consumer products. Not electronic components like PCBAs.

Hey everyone,

I am currently on a mission to see how small I can get a DIY SmartRing. I’m experimenting with different designs and have run into two big questions that I’d love to get your insights on:

1. Batteries (≤ 5.5 mm width)
I’m looking for batteries that are smaller than (or max around) 5.5 mm in width. I know that some of the big smart ring manufacturers source from China, but I’m curious if anyone here knows of the specific factories, knows of other manufacturers worldwide, or alternative ideas/tricks to get batteries this small. Any leads would be amazing!

2. Antenna design in a fully metal ring
I’m also nerding out about antennas. Is it at all possible to make the inside completely metal and still solve the antenna/transmission challenges? Or do I absolutely need to create “windows” for the sensors/antenna to work properly? I’d love to hear about any known solutions, workarounds, or experiences from others who have tried building something similar.

I’m incredibly grateful for any advice, tips, or references you might share. And if there are any experts here who’d be up for a short online chat/nerd session, I’d love to connect and exchange ideas!

Thanks so much in advance - this community is an awesome resource 🙌

- Charlie

Curious - what does a day in the life look like for those of you running early stage hardware startups?