FORGE

FORGE is a 501c3 nonprofit on a mission to help innovators navigate the journey from physical prototype through to commercialization and IMPACT at scale.

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

📢 One Week Until the 2026 FORGE Spring Startup Showcase

Join us on June 10 in Somerville's Union Square for an afternoon and evening of live technology demonstrations, startup exhibits, networking, and conversations focused on bringing physical products to market.

The showcase will feature innovative startups from across the FORGE network exhibiting their technologies alongside members of the FORGE supplier and manufacturing network who help turn great ideas into scalable products.

We're also excited that a number of FORGE network partners will be joining us to connect with startups and attendees, including: Wiggin and Dana LLP, Wolf Greenfield, Alternative Manufacturing, Inc., Burt Process Equipment, Inc., Cambridge Polymer Group, Cofab Design, Kalow Technologies, LLC., PMR - Plastics Manufacturing Resources, Dassault Systèmes, Insperity, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), and Product Resources.

Whether you're a founder looking for resources, a manufacturer seeking new opportunities, an investor exploring emerging technologies, or an ecosystem partner interested in supporting innovation, this event is designed to create meaningful connections.
📍 10 Prospect Street, Somerville, MA
📅 June 10, 2026
⏲️ 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Register today: https://t.co/5iWHWuBAyj

Follow FORGE for more opportunities to connect with startups, manufacturers, and the organizations helping bring innovative products to market.

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #Innovation #Hardware #SupplyChain #ProductDevelopment

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Step Inside Connecticut’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem

What does it take to move a hardtech product from concept to reality?

Join FORGE and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) for an exclusive tour of the Advanced Technology Center in East Hartford and see firsthand how advanced manufacturing technologies are helping companies accelerate product development, prototyping, and commercialization.

During this event, you'll explore additive manufacturing, precision machining, automation technologies, and other capabilities that support innovation across Connecticut's manufacturing ecosystem. You'll also learn about CCAT's programs and resources while connecting with fellow startups, manufacturers, suppliers, and ecosystem partners.

Whether you're developing a new product, looking for manufacturing resources, or interested in expanding your network within Connecticut's innovation community, this is a great opportunity to make valuable connections and discover new capabilities.

📅 June 25, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 CCAT Advanced Technology Center, East Hartford, CT

Space is limited and registration is required.

Join us and see what Connecticut's advanced manufacturing ecosystem has to offer.

👉 Register today: https://t.co/Qx7Ybs14he

Follow FORGE for more opportunities to connect with the people, resources, and expertise that help physical product companies succeed.

#FORGEImpact #Connecticut #AdvancedManufacturing #HardTech #Manufacturing #Innovation #Startups #CCAT #ConnecticutInnovation

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🚀 Hardtech Innovation in Action at CT Tech Week

What a fantastic afternoon at CoCreate by GE Appliances, a Haier company in Stamford!

FORGE was excited to host our first-ever pop-up office hours as part of CT Tech Week, bringing together physical product founders and hardtech innovators for one-on-one conversations with experts from the FORGE manufacturing and supply chain network.

A special thank you to our FORGE network experts from Big Bang, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), and Samtec Inc for sharing their time, experience, and practical guidance with the founders in the room. These are exactly the kinds of connections that help innovative products move from concept to commercialization.

We also want to thank the CoCreate and GE Appliances team for opening the doors to this incredible facility and providing attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at the FirstBuild makerspace and CoFab microfactory. It was an outstanding opportunity to see innovation, prototyping, and manufacturing collaboration in action.

Finally, thank you to the team at CT Tech Week and Realist Lab for creating a week that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and ecosystem partners from across Connecticut. FORGE is proud to be part of the growing hardtech community that is helping build the future.

Interested in bringing a physical product to market? Follow FORGE to learn about upcoming events, expert resources, manufacturing connections, and opportunities to accelerate your journey from prototype to production.

#FORGEImpact #CTTechWeek #HardTech #Innovation #Manufacturing #StartupEcosystem #ProductDevelopment #HardwareStartup #ConnecticutInnovation

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

“The future of robotics is going to require much more than great demos.”

That was one of the big takeaways from this week’s FORGE panel, “The Demo Is Not the Product: What Robotics Companies Learn Too Late,” moderated by FORGE Manufacturing Engineering in Residence Mark Michalski during Robotics Tech Week Boston.

The discussion focused on the difficult transition from impressive prototype to real-world product. Panelists shared honest perspectives on manufacturability, reliability, deployment challenges, customer expectations, and what it actually takes to scale robotics companies successfully.

A few lines from the discussion that really stood out:
“You don’t want to be selling specs and features. You want to be selling value.” — Ulysses Gilchrist
“Think more about the service you are selling. A service that happens to include robotics, not a robot that is doing a cool thing.” — Raagini Rameshwar, Ph.D
“Get to know the customer better. It never fails.” — Kristen Craft
“It’s not just about technical performance. It’s about whether you can actually use the system successfully in the field.” — Ryan Knopf

Huge thank you to Kristen Craft, Dr. Raagini Rameshwar, Ulysses Gilchrist, and Ryan Knopf for such a thoughtful discussion.

Thank you as well to Pedro Arce and the M&T Bank team for hosting us at their Boston offices, Fidelity Private Shares, @roboticstechwk Boston, and everyone who joined us for the event and networking afterward.

FORGE will continue to create conversations like this that help bridge the gap among innovation, manufacturing, and commercialization. Follow FORGE for more events, insights, and discussions focused on building successful hardtech companies.

#FORGEImpact #Robotics #AI #Manufacturing #Automation #HardTech #BostonTechWeek #RoboticsTechWeek

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🚀 The May 2026 FORGE Newsletter is now live!

This month’s edition highlights the latest across the FORGE network, including upcoming events, startup and supplier updates, ecosystem opportunities, and new resources designed to help physical product companies move from prototype to production.

Inside you’ll find:
🔹 Updates from across the hardtech and manufacturing ecosystem
🔹 Upcoming FORGE workshops, showcases, and networking events
🔹 Startup and supplier spotlights
🔹 Funding, partnership, and growth opportunities
🔹 Insights focused on manufacturing readiness and scaling

Whether you're a startup founder, manufacturer, supplier, investor, or ecosystem partner, there’s something worth checking out.

📩 Read the newsletter here: https://t.co/ux3bhYBKXX

And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow FORGE to stay connected with the growing hardtech innovation and manufacturing community.

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #Innovation #SupplyChain #ProductDevelopment #AdvancedManufacturing

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Hardtech Innovation. Live Prototypes. Real Manufacturing Connections.

The 2026 FORGE Spring Startup Showcase is happening next week, and the room is filling up fast.

Join us on June 10 in Union Square, Somerville, for an evening focused on the people and companies building physical products and bringing new technologies to market.

You’ll meet startups showcasing live prototypes, manufacturers exploring new partnerships, investors looking at emerging technologies, and ecosystem leaders helping hardtech companies scale successfully.

📍 10 Prospect Street, Somerville, MA
📅 June 10, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Featured startups currently include:
🔹 KIRA Systems Inc.
🔹 Diel Technologies
🔹 AllStrum
🔹 Spear the Air
🔹 ThermoBionics
🔹 Dialysis-X, Inc
🔹 Allkemie
🔹 Latimer Technologies
🔹 Comprehension Clicker
🔹 Play Smart Early Learning Program
🔹 Bootbox Labs
🔹 Laminar (Formerly H2Ok Innovations)
🔹 CADSPARC

Event Schedule:
🛠️ 3:00 – 5:30 PM | Startup Exhibition
🎤 5:30 – 6:15 PM | Speaking Program
🤝 6:15 – 7:00 PM | Networking + Wrap-Up

If you're working in hardtech, manufacturing, robotics, climatech, medtech, or physical product innovation, this is a great opportunity to connect with the ecosystem in one room.

Register here: https://t.co/5iWHWuBAyj

Follow FORGE for more startup showcases, manufacturing insights, and ecosystem events.

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #Hardware #Innovation

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Sustainable Innovation and Big Ideas at @UMassLowell

FORGE Manufacturing Expert in Residence Mark Michalski was glad to serve as a judge at the 2026 Sustainable Innovation Showcase and Challenge at the University of Massachusetts Lowell alongside Barbara Russell, Co-Founder-CapW Global and Adjunct Professor at UMass Lowell, and Benedikt Reynolds, Program Manager at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Hosted by the Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy, the event brought together students, researchers, startups, and innovators working on real sustainability and climate challenges.

The poster sessions and pitch presentations were impressive across the board, with a lot of strong ideas, thoughtful research, and practical approaches to solving real problems.

Congratulations to the winners:
• Plastos x Keevah (Student Award)
• Cellulose Foam (Faculty Award)
• Stewardship (Poster Award)

Thank you to everyone who presented during the poster sessions and pitch competition. The amount of work, creativity, and passion that went into the projects was clear throughout the evening.

Thank you to Anne Maglia, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at UMass Lowell, for the opening remarks and for supporting sustainability and innovation efforts across the university.

A big thank you as well to Tionge Nakazwe and her team for organizing such a great event and keeping everything running smoothly throughout the evening.

FORGE is proud to support the next generation of hardtech and sustainability innovators.

Follow FORGE to stay connected to the growing innovation and manufacturing ecosystem.

#FORGEImpact #ClimateTech #Sustainability #Innovation #Manufacturing #UMassLowell

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Hard-tech founders, hardware startups, and innovators, this looks like a great Boston Tech Week event.

The SOLIDWORKS for Startups program and the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab are hosting a Hard-Tech Mixer on Friday, May 29 from 6:00–9:00 PM at Lamplighter Brewing Co. in Cambridge.

The evening will bring together founders, innovators, and industry leaders from the local and global startup ecosystems for networking, refreshments, and conversations with others building in the startup and hardware space.

You’ll also hear from Suchit Jain, SOLIDWORKS VP of Strategy & Business Development, and Abhishek Bali, Director of Mainstream Innovation for the SOLIDWORKS Startup Global Ecosystem and 3DEXPERIENCE Lab.

📍 Lamplighter Brewing | 110 N First St, Cambridge
⏰ Friday, May 29 | 6:00–9:00 PM

Register Here: https://t.co/qBZtTJqJkT

Follow FORGE for more events, resources, and opportunities supporting startups building physical products and manufacturing-ready technologies.

#FORGEImpact #HardTech #HardwareStartups #BostonTechWeek #Startups #Innovation #SOLIDWORKS #3DEXPERIENCELab

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Building Stronger Startup Ecosystems Across New England

FORGE was proud to be part of an important conversation at Startup Maine focused on how startup ecosystems across New England can collaborate more effectively rather than operate in isolated pockets.

FORGE Manufacturing Expert in Residence Mark Michalski moderated a panel featuring Stephanie Roulic of Startup Boston, Marie Rocha of Realist Lab, and Zachary Dutton of Auxilium.

The discussion explored where regional collaboration is already working, where fragmentation still exists, and what it will take to create stronger connections between founders, investors, manufacturers, universities, and support organizations across state lines.

A major theme throughout the discussion was that startup ecosystems become stronger when founders can more easily find the right people, resources, and communities to support the stage they are in.

Stephanie spoke about the importance of helping founders navigate ecosystems that can often feel overwhelming:
“You want to just find your community for the time you’re in now, then eventually graduate, and you'll find a new community that fits your growth as an operator or founder.”

The conversation also focused heavily on the tension between collaboration and competition inside startup ecosystems.

Marie challenged organizations to think differently about how they work together and stay focused on the people they are supposed to serve:
“When I meet funders, they actually want us to collaborate… if we each stay in our zone, we could probably deliver more for everyone.”

Zach Dutton added that some of the strongest ecosystem growth happens when organizations are willing to share ideas, learn from one another, and build intentionally instead of competing for the same space:
“Stephanie came out to our office early on… Startup Rhode Island shared how they did things… and the end result was we started Startup Worcester Week.”

One of the clearest takeaways from the panel was that stronger ecosystems are not built by a single organization. They are built through relationships, referrals, shared expertise, and people willing to collaborate across regions to help founders succeed.

Big thanks to Startup Maine for bringing together such a strong group of ecosystem builders, founders, and operators, and special thanks to Sarah Smith and the entire Startup Maine team for the hospitality and support throughout the event.

Follow FORGE for more conversations and resources supporting hardtech and physical product innovation across New England.

#FORGEImpact #StartupMaine #Innovation #Hardtech #StartupEcosystem #Entrepreneurship

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Another Great Opportunity for Connecticut’s Innovation Community.

If you’re building a company, developing new technology, or just trying to better understand how to protect what you’re creating, this Intellectual Property Protection Workshop is worth checking out.

Hosted by The Mission Investments Company alongside Marie Rocha and Andrew Forbes, the session will cover trademark, patent, and copyright essentials with Wil Jacques, President of Emanus, LLC.

The evening also includes networking with tech entrepreneurs, ESO partners, and others helping grow the region’s startup ecosystem.

📍 The Hartford Club - Hartford, CT
🗓️ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

At FORGE, we know that moving from idea to a manufacturable product requires not only strong engineering and supply chain strategy but also the protection of the intellectual property behind the innovation. Events like this help founders build smarter and scale with confidence.

Register here: https://t.co/Dsrti6CTZ8

#FORGEImpact #startups #innovation #intellectualproperty #patents #trademarks #copyright #Connecticut

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🔧 Building a Physical Product?

Meet with FORGE network experts and tour GE CoCreate. Part of CT Tech Week 2026

If you're working on a hardware, manufacturing, robotics, climatetech, medtech, consumer product, or other physical product innovation, this is a great opportunity to connect directly with experts who can help you move forward.

What to expect:
✅ One-on-one office hours with FORGE network experts
✅ Manufacturing + supply chain guidance
✅ Tour of FirstBuild makerspace and the CoFab microfactory
✅ Networking with fellow founders and innovators

Whether you're refining a prototype, preparing for manufacturing, or looking for the right supplier partners, this is a chance to have real conversations with people who understand what it takes to build and scale physical products.

📅 June 1, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Stamford, CT

Register here: https://t.co/5GWI5TnFgf

And if you’re building something physical, follow FORGE for more opportunities, events, and resources designed to help innovators move from prototype to production.

#FORGEImpact #CTTechWeek #Hardtech #Manufacturing #HardwareStartups #SupplyChain #ProductDevelopment #Innovation

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🔥 The Startup Journey Isn’t Pretty. That’s Why This Event Matters

Founders rarely talk about the messy middle. The failed prototypes, tough decisions, sleepless nights, pivots, and moments where things almost didn’t work out.

That’s what makes Entrepreneur War Stories, hosted by Escape Velocity Partners, such a valuable event.

This is a chance to hear honest, unfiltered conversations from founders who’ve been through the highs and lows of building companies and came out stronger on the other side.

If you’re building a startup, thinking about launching one, or just want a more realistic look at the entrepreneurial journey, this is an event for you.

📍 Parkville Market, Hartford, CT
📅 May 19 | 6:00 - 8:30 PM
🎟️ Register here and use code FORGE25: https://t.co/admIcg9BCo

At FORGE, we’re always looking to connect founders with opportunities to learn from real-world experiences, build stronger networks, and accelerate the path from idea to impact.

Follow FORGE for more events, resources, and connections for hardtech innovators.

#FORGEImpact #startups #entrepreneurship #founders #innovation #hardtech

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🚀 The 2026 FORGE Spring Startup Showcase is shaping up to be an exciting evening of hardtech innovation, manufacturing, and connection.

Join us on June 10 in Somerville’s Union Square as startups from across the FORGE network showcase live prototypes and emerging technologies while connecting with manufacturers, suppliers, investors, and ecosystem partners.

📍 10 Prospect Street, Somerville, MA
📅 June 10, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Confirmed exhibitors so far include:
🔹 KIRA Systems Inc.
🔹 Diel Technologies
🔹 AllStrum
🔹 Spear the Air
🔹 ThermoBionics
🔹 Dialysis-X, Inc-X LLC
🔹 Allkemie
🔹 Latimer Technologies
🔹 Comprehension Clicker
🔹 Play Smart Early Learning Program
🔹 Bootbox Labs
🔹 Laminar (Formerly H2Ok Innovations)
🔹 CADSPARC

Whether you're looking to discover emerging technologies, explore manufacturing partnerships, or connect with the hardtech ecosystem, this showcase is built to create meaningful conversations and real opportunities.

Event Agenda:
🕒 3:00 PM | Doors Open
🛠️ 3:00 – 5:30 PM | Startup Exhibition
🎤 5:30 – 6:15 PM | Speaking Program
🤝 6:45 – 7:00 PM | Closing + Wrap-Up

Register here: https://t.co/5iWHWuBAyj

Follow FORGE for more events, startup stories, and manufacturing ecosystem updates.

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #Hardware #Innovation

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🔧 Join FORGE at Manufacturing Your Future

Massachusetts manufacturers and hardtech innovators: this is a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders, technology providers, and manufacturing experts from across the region.

The FORGE team will be attending on June 2 at the DCU Center in Worcester, hosted by @MassMEP .

The event features keynotes, breakout sessions, and an expanded sponsor floor focused on practical solutions and real-world manufacturing challenges impacting companies today.

If you’re involved in manufacturing, product development, operations, supply chain, or scaling hardware products, this is a strong event to have on your calendar.

🎟️ Register here: https://t.co/9gM9ca06s2
Use code: MASSMFG
Pre-registration deadline: May 30

Follow FORGE for more updates on the manufacturing and hardtech ecosystem.

#FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #AdvancedManufacturing #HardTech #MassMEP

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

Connecticut Ecosystem Opportunity for Early-Stage Founders

At FORGE, we’re always excited to share resources that help entrepreneurs build stronger companies and move ideas toward real-world impact.

Groundwork by reSET Social Enterprise Trust is a program designed to help early-stage founders strengthen the fundamentals across business, operations, and growth.

If you’re building an early-stage startup and looking to sharpen your strategy, structure your next steps, and accelerate your path forward, this is worth checking out.

Learn more and apply here: https://t.co/qg0AaRPgFc

Follow FORGE for more opportunities, programs, and resources for hardtech and manufacturing startups.

#FORGEImpact #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Connecticut #Innovation #FounderSupport

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🚨 Major Funding Opportunity for Massachusetts Climatetech Infrastructure

Organizations supporting climatetech innovation in Massachusetts should be paying attention to this.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (@MassCEC ) Climatetech Testing & Demonstration Assets (TDA) Program is expected to launch its FY26 RFP this summer and will provide capital grants ranging from $1.5M to $5M to help build shared testing, validation, pilot, and demonstration infrastructure for climatetech companies across Massachusetts.

What makes this program particularly interesting is that it is not funding individual startups directly. Instead, it is designed to fund the physical infrastructure and shared assets that startups often struggle to access on their own.

The program is aimed at Massachusetts-based Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), including:
• Nonprofits
• Public agencies
• Universities
• Incubators and testbeds
• Shared innovation facilities

The focus is on building long-term shared infrastructure that can support climatetech R&D, testing, manufacturing readiness, commercialization, and deployment for years to come. Projects are expected to have at least a 10-year useful life and improve access to real-world testing and demonstration environments.

MassCEC specifically highlights gaps in:
⚡ Testing and demonstration capacity
🏭 Pilot manufacturing infrastructure
🔬 Specialized fabrication and lab capabilities
🌎 Real-world deployment and validation environments
📈 Commercialization pathways and market access

Example projects include:
⚡ Long-duration energy storage pilot pads
🏭 Pilot-scale fabrication lines
🏗️ Building performance labs
🌊 Coastal resilience demonstration sites
💻 Shared digital infrastructure and maker spaces

This is also part of Massachusetts’ broader climatetech economic development strategy and one of the first major programs launched under the 2024 Mass Leads Act. The larger goal is to strengthen Massachusetts as a global hub for climatetech innovation, manufacturing, and deployment.

MassCEC is holding upcoming pre-RFP office hours for organizations interested in understanding project fit and preparing early:
📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 12 PM ET
📅 Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 12 PM ET

Learn more here
https://t.co/Y2m0LvBuu7

FORGE works with hardtech and climatetech innovators every day as they navigate the challenges of scaling physical products, manufacturing readiness, supplier engagement, testing, and commercialization. Programs like this can play an important role in strengthening the infrastructure ecosystem needed to support those companies long term.

Follow FORGE for more updates, opportunities, and resources for hardtech innovators.

#FORGEImpact #ClimateTech #CleanEnergy #MassCEC #Innovation #Manufacturing #HardTech #ClimateInnovation

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🚀The FORGE 2025 Impact Report is here.

This past year, we continued to see what happens when innovators, manufacturers, suppliers, and ecosystem partners come together with the shared goal of getting hardtech built and scaled locally.

From startup growth and manufacturing connections to product development support and regional supply chain impact, the results speak for themselves.

The companies in the FORGE network are not just building products.

They are building the future of advanced manufacturing, climatech, robotics, medtech, defense, and physical AI.

We are proud to support the innovators and manufacturers turning ambitious ideas into real products and real economic impact across the region.

Take a look at the full report and see what the FORGE network accomplished together in 2025:
https://t.co/nxT6PgPgUz

If you care about strengthening local manufacturing, scaling hardtech innovation, and building resilient supply chains, follow FORGE to stay connected.

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #ManufacturingInnovation #SupplyChain #StartupEcosystem #AdvancedManufacturing

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

🚨 FORGE founders, this is one to seriously consider

We’re sharing an opportunity from our friends at @Polaris_TB Tech Bridge:
🌊 BlueTIDE 2026 in Newport, RI

This is not a typical showcase.

BlueTIDE is a live, mission-driven technology demonstration in which selected companies test and validate solutions in real-world conditions, with direct visibility from DoD, the Navy, investors, and industry leaders.

Why this matters, especially for FORGE innovators

If you’re building:
🤖 Autonomous systems
📡 Sensors or hardware
🔗 Communications platforms
🛡️ Dual-use or defense tech

This is a rare chance to:
🎯 Get real-time feedback from decision-makers
🌊 Demonstrate your tech in an operational environment
🤝 Build relationships with DoD and industry partners
🚀 Open doors to funding and deployment pathways

This isn’t a booth.
It’s a prove-it-in-the-field moment.

What participation looks like
📝 Apply to the Collaborative Integration Opportunity
💻 Qualify through virtual demos
🌐 Selected teams participate in a live, in-water mission scenario in Newport
📅 Event: August 26–27, 2026
⏰ Application deadline: May 22

Who should apply?
FORGE companies that are:
▶️ Past prototype and moving toward real-world validation
▶️ Ready to show how their tech performs in mission-driven environments
▶️ Interested in defense and dual-use pathways

If that’s you, this is worth a hard look.

Learn More and Apply: https://t.co/QXEubJ43hZ

👉 Follow FORGE for more opportunities like this and to stay connected to the people and resources that help you get to production.

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #DefenseTech #DualUse #Manufacturing #Startups #Innovation #DoD #Navy #AutonomousSystems #Sensors #HardwareStartups #TechTransfer

[FORGE @FORGEImpact]

These are the reasons startups fail.
This is exactly where FORGE shows up.

Look at the top drivers:
• No market need (42%)
• Ran out of cash (29%)
• Not the right team (23%)
• Pricing and cost issues (18%)
• Poor product or unclear business model (17%)

For physical product companies, these don’t live in isolation.

They show up in design decisions, supplier choices, and how early (or late) manufacturing gets pulled into the conversation.

At FORGE, we work directly in these failure points:
– We connect innovators to right-fit suppliers who bring real-world constraints into the process early
– We help teams understand what it actually takes to move from prototype to production
– We create opportunities to pressure test assumptions around cost, scalability, and manufacturability
– We bring the ecosystem together so companies are not building in a vacuum

Because when startups fail, it’s often not one big mistake. It’s a series of small decisions made without the right input at the right time.

The earlier you engage with the manufacturing ecosystem, the better your chances of getting it right.

Learn more about how FORGE supports innovators: https://t.co/FrfEfQh1zl

Follow FORGE for more insights like this.

Graphic source: CB Insights (via Statista/Forbes)

#FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #ProductDevelopment #SupplyChain