Prototype Development
Turn your idea into working hardware.
Grade takes physical products from rough concept through engineering, prototyping, testing, and design for manufacturing.
You bring us the problem, sketch, CAD, prototype, or half-finished machine. We get it working.
Core offer
Prototype Sprint
For teams that need to rapidly determine whether a physical concept can become a real product.
Includes, as appropriate
- Requirements development
- Mechanical architecture
- CAD
- Component selection
- Electronics integration
- Fabrication sourcing
- Assembly
- Testing
- Iteration
- DFM recommendations
- Preliminary BOM
Pricing
Concept / feasibility engagements from $7,500
Functional prototypes typically $25k–$75k+
Where teams come to us
“We have CAD, but no prototype.”
“Our prototype works, but it’s fragile and impossible to manufacture.”
“We need a custom machine that doesn’t exist.”
“We have an idea and need someone to own the engineering.”
Built by operators, not career consultants.
Grade was founded by Matt Hroma, a mechanical engineer and technology executive whose experience includes SpaceX, Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), Astra, and leadership roles building manufacturing systems, factories, products, and software.
- Ran launch vehicle assembly at SpaceX
- Built Astra’s first engine lines and a 100,000 sq ft rocket facility
- Authored the capital case for Amazon Leo’s $200M satellite factory and delivered it in under 18 months, scaling integration 30×
- CTO at Grounded through a 4× revenue turnaround, with work spanning mechanical engineering, automation, software, and operations
Matt Hroma · Founder · Detroit, MI
Prototype Development
Discuss a Prototype
Tell us what you’re trying to build and where you are today. We’ll come back with how we’d approach it.