CBIA BizCast FORGE-ing Startup Success
Jul 20, 2023
Adam Rodrigues, Vice President at FORGE Connecticut, is a key player in connecting innovators with essential resources for their business journey. He discusses the challenges startups face when transitioning prototypes to market and the importance of collaboration with over 4,000 local manufacturers. The conversation also highlights the role of education in navigating manufacturing landscapes, the impact of community initiatives on Connecticut's startup ecosystem, and how embracing innovation is crucial for both startups and manufacturers alike.
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Forge Connects Startups to Manufacturers
- Forge acts as a connecting service between startups with prototypes and regional manufacturers.
- It focuses on product design for scalable manufacturing and facilitating these crucial connections.
Forge’s Start at Greentown Labs
- Forge began at Greentown Labs, helping clean tech startups avoid costly manufacturing mistakes by connecting them with local manufacturers.
- This approach has generated over $40M in revenue and increased the survival rate of startups significantly.
Benefits of Local Manufacturing
- Working with regional manufacturers offers benefits like faster communication, design tweaks, and better IP protection.
- Overseas manufacturing involves risks such as tariffs, longer lead times, and IP law differences.