Hardware Startup Consulting for Inventors, Startups, and Scaleups

One‑on‑one advisory for inventors, hardware startups, and product brands who want to go from first prototype to $50M+ in revenue without burning years or budgets.

  • 1,500+ hardware founders advised
  • Founder of MAKO Invent (acquired by TriMech in 2024)
  • 25+ years building hardware businesses, 30+ design & business awards
  • Host of The Product Startup Podcast (200+ episodes)
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No commitment. Focused working sessions. You decide how often we work together.

If You’re in Physical Products, You’re in the Right Place

Product Startup Consulting is built for founders and leaders who make and sell tangible products

  • Inventors & first‑time founders – from napkin sketch to first working prototype and launch.
  • Funded hardware startups – getting from seed to Series A/B with a clear roadmap and investor‑ready story.
  • Scaling brands & product companies – extending product lines, improving margins, and preparing for acquisition.
  • Resellers, wholesalers & distributors – developing private‑label and exclusive products that actually move.
  • OEMs and manufacturing partners – building new hardware lines with clear positioning and channel strategy.

Whether you’re in toys, consumer electronics, pet products, homewares, tools, health & wellness, or industrial B2B, the principles are the same: smart strategy, disciplined execution, and avoiding the classic hardware landmines.

Get the Hardware Industry’s Leader in Your Corner

The hardware game is different.
Timelines are longer, capital risk is higher, and every misstep in design, manufacturing, or distribution gets very expensive. Most “startup advice” ignores that reality.

I’ve lived it for 25+ years.
I’m Kevin Mako, founder of MAKO Invent, which became North America’s leading product design and development firm for startups before being acquired by TriMech in 2024. I’ve helped more than 1,500 inventors and startups bring hardware products to life, from first‑time founders to scaling brands.

Now I focus on direct advisory: a small number of founders at a time, working through strategy, funding, manufacturing, and go‑to‑market so your product doesn’t just look good: It sells, scales, and becomes an asset.

  • Hardware startup founder since 1999
  • 30+ hardware and business awards across global competitions
  • Host of The Product Startup Podcast, interviewing top hardware founders, investors, and operators
  • One of the most experienced hardware advisors globally, working from idea stage through $50M+ scale
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From Idea to Scale
Everything a Hardware Founder
Needs Help With

I don’t do the design or engineering work inside your CAD files, but I help you design the business around the product and manage the specialists who do.

Business Strategy & Structure

  • Vision, goals, and go‑to‑market strategy
  • Choosing the right company structure and partner agreements
  • Banking, credit, and cash‑flow planning
  • What to focus on this quarter vs. later

Design & Product Management Advisory

  • Translating your idea into a clear product idea and feature roadmap
  • Selecting and managing external and/or external designers and engineers.
  • Planning & managing prototypes and proof‑of‑concept builds
  • Making trade‑off decisions between cost, aesthetics, and performance

Funding Strategy & Investor Readiness

  • Positioning for seed, angel, crowdfunding, venture capital, or Series A funding
  • Story and numbers investors actually care about
  • Deck, data room, and fundraising process strategy
  • Support on negotiation and deal structure

Patent & IP Strategy

  • When and what to patent vs. keep as trade secrets
  • Selecting and managing IP firms and patent attorneys
  • International filing strategy and cost planning

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management

  • Manufacturing documentation and readiness
  • Shortlisting and evaluating factories and suppliers
  • RFPs, quoting, and margin modeling
  • Quality control processes, logistics, and shipping planning

Launch, Sales & Scale

  • Brand & positioning for your category
  • Direct‑to‑consumer (Shopify/Kickstarted/Indiegogo), marketplace (Amazon/Walmart/Etsy), and retail strategy
  • Pricing, packaging, and channel margins
  • Scaling up production, inventory, and team as demand grows

You can start at any stage: idea, prototype, launch, or scale. We’ll fill in the gaps around where you are right now.

Where Are You in the Journey?

Not sure which bucket you’re in? Book a call and we’ll map it out in 30 minutes.

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Inventors & First‑Time Founders

You have a concept, maybe a sketch, maybe one rough prototype.

  • Clarify your product and market
  • Avoid rookie mistakes that burn your savings
  • Build a realistic roadmap from “idea” to “first batch shipped”

Early‑Stage Hardware Startups

You’ve got early traction or a prototype, and now investors are asking tough questions.

  • Align design, manufacturing, and funding plans
  • Build a story that makes sense to investors and customers
  • Plan for your next 12 to 24 months with confidence

Scaling Product Brands & Scale‑Ups

You’re selling, but growth is messy or margins are tight.

  • Expand product lines while protecting focus
  • Improve margins with smarter manufacturing and supply chain
  • Prepare the business for acquisition or big‑box retail

Resellers, Distributors, OEMs & Private‑Label

You’re already a channel or manufacturer, and you want your own differentiated products.

  • Develop and validate new hardware concepts
  • Structure deals with factories and brand partners
  • Build portfolio strategy instead of one‑off bets

The Product Startup Podcast

Hear how I think about hardware on The Product Startup Podcast, the leading podcast show in the world for physical product founders.

Over 200 episodes of real conversations with inventors, startup founders, investors, and manufacturing experts on:

  • Validating hardware ideas without overspending
  • Raising capital for physical products
  • Working with factories and keeping quality under control
  • Launching on Shopify, Amazon, and into retail
  • Scaling teams and preparing for acquisition
Browse All Episodes

Every episode is designed so you walk away with at least one idea you can apply this week.

Four Ways to Work With Kevin

Different companies need different levels of support. Choose the engagement style that fits your stage, pace, and internal team.  Most clients use one option, and some combine two as they grow.

One-on-One Private Consultations

BEST FOR: Inventors, founders, and exec teams who want senior guidance without adding headcount.

How it works:

  • Book an hour to a few hours per month (or as needed).
  • Bring your highest-leverage decisions: roadmap, pricing, manufacturing quotes, investor strategy, retail positioning, hiring, etc.
  • You leave each session with clear next steps and priorities.

Typical cadence: 1 to 4 hours/month (flexible)

Part-Time Startup Support Role

Best for: Teams that need consistent momentum and a steady operator to keep workstreams aligned.

How it works:

  • A few hours per week, working directly with you and your team.
  • Help planning, execution, and decision-making across funding, design management (advisory), manufacturing, and go-to-market.
  • Ideal when you’re moving fast and need an experienced “second brain” every week.

Typical cadence: 2 to 8 hours/week

Publicly Listed Advisor or Team Member

Best for: Companies that benefit from credibility, strategic oversight, and visible senior backing (investors, partners, retail, etc.).

How it works:

  • Kevin is publicly listed as an advisor (or team member where appropriate).
  • Structured contributions tied to outcomes: key milestone reviews, high-stakes negotiations, strategy and investor readiness.
  • Optional: formal Board of Advisors arrangement (where there’s strong fit and mutual value).

Peer-to-Peer Hardware Leaders Group (Waitlist)

Best for: Leaders who want high-signal perspective from other operators—without fluff or generic masterminds.

How it works:

  • Kevin moderates a curated group of 5–10 hardware leaders.
  • Structured sessions focused on real-time challenges: manufacturing, retail, margin, supply chain, hiring, fundraising, positioning.
  • You get peer accountability plus Kevin’s moderation to keep it practical and actionable.

Status: Waitlist / invite-only

Book a Free Intro Call

Focused bursts, no retainers, no long-term commitment.  Use as much or as little support as you need.

About Kevin Mako

Kevin founded MAKO Invent, which grew into North America’s leading product design and development firm, helping more than 1,500 inventors and startups bring hardware products to life. In 2024, MAKO was acquired by TriMech in one of the largest design‑firm acquisitions in the space.

Today Kevin focuses on Product Startup Consulting: direct, no‑fluff advisory for a limited number of innovators ready to turn concept into reality, and then turn reality into scale.

  • Hardware startup entrepreneur since 1999
  • 30+ international design and business awards
  • Host of The Product Startup Podcast
  • Seen in major design and business media (add your outlets/logos)

“Hardware is unforgiving. The more of the map you can see before you start, the less tuition you pay to the School of Hard Knocks.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. I don’t compete with design, engineering, and/or prototyping firms. I help you plan, manage, and make smart decisions about features, timelines, and budgets.

Yes—as long as you’re serious. I work with many first‑time founders, but I expect us to treat this like a business, not a hobby. If you’re committed, I’ll help you avoid the classic traps and move faster.

As one of the top names in the hardware startup indusry, it’s not cheap to work with me; however, it’s a fraction of the cost of what you’ll save and a fraction of what opportunities I’ll open up for you. We start with a free intro call, then you can choose between one‑off deep dives or ongoing advisory at an hourly rate. Use me as much or as little as you would like, on your schedule.

Sometimes. In select cases I may take a small percentage of funds raised, or equity of joining publicly on your executive team or Board of Advisors. We only explore this after we’ve worked together and proven there’s real leverage in the relationship.

Yes. Most of my work is remote. As long as we can align on time zones, we can work together.

Ready to Plan, Launch, and Scale Your Product?

Whether you’re sketching your first idea, preparing for a major launch, or wrestling with the chaos of scale, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Book a Strategy Call Tell Me About Your Product

I take on a limited number of founders at a time so each engagement gets my full attention.