Humanmade Founder Session - Beyond the Prototype
- WHO IT IS FOR: Hardware entrepreneurs, engineers, and startup founders looking to scale their physical products from prototype to mass production.
- WHAT IT IS ABOUT: The critical transition from a working prototype to a reliable, affordable, and scalable manufactured product.
- FORMAT: An expert-led founder session featuring a professional presentation followed by an audience Q&A and networking.
Bridging the gap between a successful prototype and a market-ready product is one of the most challenging phases of hardware development. The Humanmade Founder Session, 'Beyond the Prototype,' is designed to help you navigate this transition. Led by industry veteran Steve Dussé, VP of Engineering at SPAN.IO, this session provides practical insights into high-volume, low-cost manufacturing across consumer electronics, IoT devices, and power products.
Attendees will explore essential topics including Design for Manufacturing (DfM), selecting the right production pathways, and managing supplier relationships. By understanding the critical tradeoffs between cost, quality, and scalability, you can avoid the common pitfalls that often derail hardware startups. Whether you are currently refining your first iteration or are ready to start conversations with manufacturers, this session offers the roadmap needed for production readiness.
This event is a key part of the 2026 Humanmade Hardware Accelerator and is open to the broader startup and hardware community. Join us in San Francisco for an evening of professional growth, expert guidance, and networking with fellow innovators.