Author: Ray Bernoff

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Why Sourcing Prototypes Locally Can Accelerate Early Product Development

ByRay Bernoff

TechScale Solutions, a Friends of FORGE partner, is a leading engineering consulting firm providing guidance to clients to scale up prototypes into commercially viable products. TechScale Solutions specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical equipment for the renewable energy and climate technology industries. Early-stage hardware companies often default to overseas…

FORGE and BusinessWest AI and Manufacturing event

StratAI Series: AI in Manufacturing – Collaborator Event with BusinessWest

ByRay Bernoff

Mar. 26, 2026 – FORGE joined forces with BusinessWest and Innovate413 to co-host the first in a series of events to help businesses develop practical AI strategies, smarter operations, and stronger growth. AI developers, AI experts and manufacturers convened at the Brian Corridan Center at STCC Technology Park in Springfield for “StratAI: AI in Manufacturing”…

The startup demo floor at the FORGE Spring Startup Showcase in 2025

FORGE 2025 Spring Startup Showcase: Celebrating 10 years of the FORGE Manufacturing Initiative

ByRay Bernoff

Apr. 22, 2025 – FORGE’s Spring Startup Showcase celebrated some of the leading hardtech startups in our local innovation ecosystem, as well as 10 years of the FORGE Manufacturing Initiative. Tickets for the Showcase sold out early, so the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham, MA was packed with enthusiastic attendees. Local…

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Podcast: Made in America – Adam Rodrigues: Bringing Hard Tech Product Innovators and Manufacturing Together

ByRay Bernoff

In our newest Made in America episode, Ari sits down with Adam Rodrigues, Vice President of FORGE, to discuss hard tech innovation and startup success. With only 3% of hard tech startups making it to market, FORGE is helping founders overcome challenges through funding, education, and manufacturing connections. Watch below:

Scaling hardtech with machines in a factory

Best practices for scaling hardtech innovation

ByRay Bernoff

David Thompson, Program Director The journey from prototype to mass production can be full of twists and turns. Following these best practices for scaling hardtech innovation can smooth out the journey and help innovators and startups grow faster. For hardtech innovation mentorship, manufacturing readiness education, and connections to right-fit suppliers and manufacturers that can help…

Jack Crane, CONNSTEP Director of Growth Services, asks a question during the Earthos pitch

ClimateHaven and FORGE Rocket Pitch Event Recap

ByRay Bernoff

May 2, 2024 – In New Haven, Connecticut, regional manufacturing experts came together at the ClimateHaven innovation hub to advise startup founders on solving their hardest hardware challenges. Three hand-selected startups presented their physical product prototypes to a panel of eight seasoned manufacturing experts at the ClimateHaven and FORGE Rocket Pitch. Approximately thirty people joined the…