Stage 1 of the 2026 process map
Stage 1: Review/Analysis + Plan
Technical feasibility analysis, key risks, and a staged plan with the recommended next step. A fixed $800, paid up front, with results within 10 business days of receiving your files and the intake form.
The plan is yours to use with any team.
NDA required
What you get
What Stage 1 delivers
- A technical feasibility analysis of your product
- The key risks, ranked, and what each one would take to retire
- A staged plan with the recommended next step
- Results within 10 business days of receiving your files and the intake form
Price and terms
Fixed $800, paid up front
- Fixed $800, paid up front.
- The plan is yours to use with any team.
- Optional: simple products with clear CAD, sketches or a spec can start at Stage 2, with a fixed quote within 48 hours of your call.
- Every later stage gets its own fixed quote before it starts, billed 50% to start and 50% on delivery.
- NDA required: we sign one with you before the first call.
Stage 1
Review/Analysis + Plan
Fixed $800, paid up front.
A technical feasibility analysis, the key risks, and a staged plan with the recommended next step. Results within 10 business days of receiving your files and intake form.
Simple product with clear CAD, sketches or a spec? Skip to a fixed stage 2 quote within 48 hours of your call.
The process map
Every stage, from Stage 1 to launch
Stage 1 is the first of these stages. See the full product development process map for how they connect.
Stage 1
Review/Analysis + Plan
Technical feasibility analysis, key risks, and a staged plan with the recommended next step.
Stage 2
Concept Design
Concepts, initial product visuals, CAD, rough parts list (BOM) and a cost-to-make estimate.
Stage 3
Benchtop Proof of Concept
Proves the 1 to 2 riskiest functions on a test rig. Not yet a working version of the product.
Stage 4
Provisional Patent Application
Our team provides drawings and technical input for your patent attorney's provisional filing.
Stage 5
Technical Design & Engineering
Detailed mechanical, electrical and firmware design, ready for prototype build.
Stage 6
Alpha Prototyping & Testing
First working version of the product, built and tested against your requirements.
Stage 7
Beta Prototype
Refined units built from alpha findings, close to production look, feel and function.
Stage 8
Intellectual Property Protection
Our team provides technical support to your patent attorney for utility patents and other protection.
Stage 9
Manufacturing Planning & DFM
Production plan, cost and tooling tweaks, supplier quotes, then manufacturing handoff.
Stage 10
Marketing Materials
Renderings, photos and sales sheets for investors, buyers and campaigns.
Stage 11a
Licensing
License the product to a company that already sells into your market.
a1 Licensee Scouting, a2 Terms Negotiation
Stage 11b
Venturing
Fund and produce the product yourself.
b1 Funding Search, b2 Manufacturing
Then
Product Launch
Typical prices
Stage prices by product complexity
| Stage | A Basic | B Simple | C Moderate | D Complex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Review/Analysis + Plan | $800 | $800 | $800 | $800 |
| 2 Concept Design | $2,000 to $6,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 | $9,500 to $15,000 | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| 3 Benchtop Proof of Concept | $1,000 to $5,000 | $2,500 to $10,000 | $5,000 to $15,000 | $20,000 to $35,000 |
| 5 Technical Design & Engineering | $2,000 to $6,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 | $12,000 to $25,000 | $15,000 to $35,000 |
| 6 Alpha Prototyping & Testing | $2,000 to $6,000 | $6,000 to $12,000 | $8,000 to $22,000 | $15,000 to $30,000 |
| 7 Beta Prototype | $1,000 to $6,000 | $4,000 to $12,000 | $6,000 to $22,000 | $10,000 to $30,000 |
| 9 Manufacturing Planning & DFM | $2,500 to $7,000 | $5,000 to $12,000 | $8,000 to $12,000 | $11,000 to $20,000 |
| Whole program (stages 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9) | $11,300 to $36,800 | $28,300 to $66,800 | $49,300 to $111,800 | $86,800 to $175,800 |
| Typical timeline | 3 to 6 months | 5 to 9 months | 7 to 12 months | 9 to 15+ months |
- A Basic: One part, no moving parts, no electronics
- B Simple: One mechanism or simple electronics
- C Moderate: Several mechanisms, medium electronics and firmware
- D Complex: Multi-subsystem, firmware, hydraulics, app or custom tech
Not included: materials and parts (billed at cost), production tooling, certification and lab fees, patent and attorney fees (stages 4 and 8), marketing materials (stage 10), licensing or venturing (stage 11), app or cloud software. Labor only, including equipment and machine time. Materials, tooling, certification, patent fees and app or cloud software are extra. Ranges are typical, not a quote; your price may come in below or above. Large automated systems and regulated medical devices often run above Class D.
Optional add-ons
Add-ons you can order with Stage 1
Prior Art Search
from $600
Closest patents and products. Not a legal opinion.
Market Research
from $900
Market size, competitors, price points, target buyer.
Potential Consumer Survey
from $1,500 plus panel fees at cost
Concept survey of target buyers.
Client stories
What founders say about the first stage
Melanie Ritchie & Katie Nagji
Founders of a nursing aid startup
Read the case studyTia Williams
Nurse and first-time inventor
“I had no idea where to begin, and the discovery process gave me clarity. The research confirmed there was a need, and I couldn’t have pieced it all together myself. LA NPDT made it real and gave me the confidence to move forward.”
Jared Simon
Music tech innovator
Read the case study
Included tools
Realizr™ idea structuring, on request
Realizr™, our product idea development tool based on LA NPDT’s 3D Ideation Process, is available with Stage 1 on request. It structures a raw idea in three steps: Devise, Detail and Describe.
FAQ
Stage 1 questions
What does Stage 1 deliver?
Technical feasibility analysis, key risks, and a staged plan with the recommended next step. Results arrive within 10 business days of receiving your files and the intake form.
How much does Stage 1 cost?
Stage 1 is a fixed $800, paid up front. Optional add-ons: Prior Art Search from $600, Market Research from $900, Potential Consumer Survey from $1,500 plus panel fees at cost.
Can I skip Stage 1?
Yes. Simple products with clear CAD, sketches or a spec can skip Stage 1 and start at stage 2. Our team sends a fixed stage 2 quote within 48 hours of your call.
How does pricing work after Stage 1?
Stage 1 is a fixed $800, paid up front, with results within 10 business days of receiving your files and intake form. It is optional: simple products with clear CAD, sketches or a spec can start at stage 2, and our team sends a fixed quote within 48 hours of your call. Every later stage gets its own fixed quote before it starts, billed 50% to start and 50% on delivery. Ranges are typical, not a quote; your price may come in below or above.
What are the stages of the process?
1 Review/Analysis + Plan; 2 Concept Design; 3 Benchtop Proof of Concept; 4 Provisional Patent Application; 5 Technical Design & Engineering; 6 Alpha Prototyping & Testing; 7 Beta Prototype; 8 Intellectual Property Protection; 9 Manufacturing Planning & DFM; 10 Marketing Materials; 11a Licensing (Licensee Scouting, Terms Negotiation) or 11b Venturing (Funding Search, Manufacturing); then Product Launch.
Do you sign an NDA?
Yes. An NDA is required, and we sign one with you before the first call.
Where to go next
- Rapid prototypingWorking prototypes in days, from 3D printing to vacuum casting.
- Sketches vs CAD vs prototypeWhich deliverable you actually need at your stage, and what each one costs.
- Order a prototypeSend a part or an idea and get a build quote back.
- Low-volume manufacturingFirst production runs without full injection-mould tooling.