We are an experienced on-demand design and engineering team. We help turn product ideas into manufacturable products, handling everything from early concept and 3D CAD design to prototyping, testing, documentation, and coordination with manufacturers. We also design automation equipment, controls, and custom fixtures or assembly tools. Think of us as a flexible design department you can plug in exactly when you need us.

We specialize in low- to high-volume functional products across many industries, including consumer products, industrial equipment, and more. Past clients range from first-time inventors to established global manufacturers. If it's a functional product or a piece of equipment, there's a good chance it's in our wheelhouse.

Absolutely, that's one of our favorite places to start. Many of our clients come to us with just an idea or a rough sketch, and they engage us to help them think it through: what the product does, who it's for, whether it's feasible, and what it might take to bring it to market. Often, early meetings can prompt critical self-reflection on your business plan, which is highly encouraged.

Yes, and we love it. We've helped many business-ready inventors and startups bring their products to life, and we're proud that they describe us as a true partner in realizing their dreams. We meet you where you are, explain things in plain language, and never talk down to anyone new to the process.

• Phase 1 – Invention: Defining the product, what it accomplishes, how it works, how you'll sell it, the budget to get it to market, and confirming the idea works.
• Phase 2 – Creation: Industrial, mechanical, and manufacturing design, where "new ideas grow into mature, feasible concepts," plus prototyping and real-world testing.
• ‍Phase 3 – Execution: Documentation, sourcing, production support, and getting to market.

You can jump in at whatever phase fits where you are, and you don't have to do all three with us.

Every project is different, so costs depend on complexity, how far along you are, and how far you want to go. Rather than a one-size-fits-all price, we build a collaborative budget with you and manage it together throughout the process. We're always upfront about costs and help you spend wisely while focusing on what actually moves your product forward. Our projects have ranged from $10,000 to $1,000,000.

Most of our Product Development projects are run on a Time & Materials basis, the most flexible way to work. You pay for the actual design time and materials used, and we manage the budget together as a shared responsibility. We can also provide an Estimate tied to a defined scope of work, or a Not-to-Exceed arrangement with a firm budget cap if you'd like extra predictability. We'll help you choose the approach that fits your project and comfort level.

While we can provide a Fixed-Price quote, it’s often not the best value for creative development. Because inventing new things involves unknowns, fixed prices require a "safety buffer" that can unnecessarily inflate costs. Most clients find that Time & Materials (T&M) with a Not-to-Exceed cap offers greater flexibility and better stewardship of their budget. We’ll help you weigh the options to find the right balance of predictability and value.

No, you stay in control the whole way. Budgets are collaborative planning tools we manage together, and we bill roughly monthly so there are no surprises. You can set a not-to-exceed maximum in writing at any time, and we build in "stage gates" so the project continues only when you approve the next step. Staying on budget and on schedule takes consistent discipline, and that discipline is exactly what we bring so you don't have to worry.

Timelines depend on your product's complexity and the phases you tackle. We'll give you a target schedule up front and keep it updated as we go. Unless we've specifically agreed on a firm, promised deadline, the dates we share are realistic targets we work toward together. We'll always keep you informed as soon as anything changes.

Every project has a single lead Project Manager who's your main point of contact, supported by our designers and technicians as needed. Our designers hold four-year engineering degrees and work in SolidWorks, so you're in experienced hands. You're always welcome to request specific team members.

We keep communication clear and frequent, using online collaboration tools and face-to-face updates, whether you're local or remote. Our Project Managers track each project's status, milestones, time, expenses, and budget so you always know where things stand. You'll never be left guessing about your project.

You do. All new intellectual property we create for your project, within your defined scope, is yours. If patent law requires listing our engineers as inventors on a filing, that's purely to strengthen your patent. It does not give us any ownership of your product, since you will always be the Assignee (rights owner) of the patent.

Not at all. Many clients come to us before filing anything, and we'll help you understand how IP protection (often a utility patent) fits into your journey. Deciding whether and when to pursue a patent is entirely up to you, and we're glad to work alongside your patent attorney when the time comes. (Patent searches and confirmation that you're clear of others' patents are handled on your side, but we'll happily point you in the right direction based on our experience.)

Yes. We handle your information with care and protect your project data with industry-standard security measures. We're glad to sign a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement, and we'll always let you know up front if we identify any potential conflict of interest. Your trust is the foundation of our work.

Yes! Prototyping is at the heart of what we do. Our Alcoa facility includes a prototyping and measurement lab and a shop for assembly and product testing, so we can quickly build everything from quick, rough mockups to functional prototypes. We test and refine in real-world conditions because iterating is how great products are made.

Yes, this is a big part of "walking all the way to the end" with our clients. In our Execution phase, we create production drawings and documentation, help you find and vet the right suppliers, obtain competitive quotes, and manage vendor communication and pilot runs. For clients who want us to carry even more of the load, we also offer LaunchPad, our managed product-launch service, which can set up part sourcing, inventory, assembly, and quality control so you can focus on selling.

Most of our product design work doesn't require a stamped engineering document, so we focus on design and technical services. But when your project does need one, we have a registered Tennessee Professional Engineer on staff who can provide officially stamped Engineering Services. Just let us know in writing, and we'll include it in your scope from the start.

Just bring your idea and your goals. That's enough to get started. Anything you already have (sketches, samples, drawings, data, or notes on your market) helps us understand your vision faster, but none of it is required. The more you share about where you want to go, the better we can tailor our advice to you.

We're based at 253 Aluminum Avenue in Alcoa, Tennessee, in the Knoxville–Maryville area, and we love partnering with local businesses in the Southeast. That said, we work smoothly with clients anywhere, using online collaboration tools and regular updates. Several of our clients are well outside the region. Whether you visit our shop or work with us remotely, you'll get the same hands-on, collaborative experience.