Prototyping Your Prototype  - Practical steps, not perfection

Tech Valley Center of Gravity (501c3) is a makerspace, prototyping center, manufacturing incubator, STEAM education center, and creative community. In other words, we are a nonprofit that provides low-cost access to equipment, tools, technology and space, as well as business expertise, education and resources.At our core is the Makerspace: 15,000 square feet of equipment, tools, work stations, and collaborative spaces. From metal shop to 3D printing, welding to woodshop, laser etching to electronics, community room to consultation corners: every zone and its equipment is designed to promote collaboration, boost creative confidence, and spark creativity.While the Markerspace is the core, our Community is the Center of Gravity’s heart. We nurture a culture of inclusivity to enhance innovation among a community of enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and professionals of all ages, genders, ethnicities, interests, nationalities, life experiences and educational backgrounds. Courses, workshops, lectures and meet-ups ensure ongoing growth for participants. Affordable membership fees, our Community Outreach Fund, volunteer programs and internships ensure economic diversity, as well.TheTHINQubator, our children's makerspace, engages new generations of makers and doers in creative expression and idea development through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Many programs provide opportunities for families to grow together in these important subjects.TheManufacturing Incubatorat Tech Valley Center of Gravity provides expert coaching and incubation across industries, advisory services and support for product-related startups. For members launching entrepreneurial ventures, we offer resources for product development through thePrototyping Center, with its advanced manufacturing equipment and flexible workspace.

Tech Valley Center of Gravity

Join this workshop to learn more about customer discovery tools for entrepreneurs developing physical products.

How do you know there’s actually a market for your new product? Join this workshop to learn more about customer discovery tools for entrepreneurs developing physical products. We’ll cover market research basics, tips and tricks, and low-barrier prototyping tools to get you collecting data faster. You’ll also hear real-world examples from professional designers on how prototyping is used to determine final product specifications <a href="https://www.tvcog.net/" title="https://www.tvcog.net/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Tech Valley Center of Gravity</a> is a makerspace &amp; incubator that empowers makers to connect, collaborate, and create. Their fabrication shop is ideal for individuals and startups who need access to workspace and prototyping equipment in order to test new ideas and grow their business.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-falkenstrom/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-falkenstrom/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dan Falkenstrom</a>, Operations Director, has experience as a manufacturing engineer, and helps connect manufacturing startups with resources to overcome their roadblocks.<a href="https://funstuffdesign.com/" title="https://funstuffdesign.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Fun Stuff Design</a>, led by Julian Goldman and Dierdre Shea, is a Troy-based industrial design studio. Their focus is on biomaterials and objects that endure, with experience in sustainable supply chain, product strategy, and product development.

Agenda

Coffee, snacks, networking

Hands-on activity

About Customer Discovery

Fun Stuff Design - Examples of prototyping for customer discovery

Dan Falkenstrom, TVCOG -  Prototyping tools and resources

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