FORGE Manufacturing Readiness Workshops
FORGE will be holding a series of workshops in Spring 2025 around manufacturing readiness!
Please register for each individual event. The workshops are most valuable as a series, so feel free to register even if you may have a conflict with one of the dates.
The workshops will be held on April 29th, May 7th, May 20th, and May 27th.
Topics include:
Planning for Scaling Manufacturing – April 29th at 11:00 AM EST
This workshop provides an in-depth exploration of strategies for effectively scaling manufacturing processes for startups and small businesses. The session covers critical areas such as assessing manufacturing readiness and introducing Design for Excellence (DfX) principles. It also delves into prototyping, supplier selection, and supply chain optimization, emphasizing aligning resources and planning actionable steps for scalable growth. By featuring insights from a case study, participants will gain actionable tools to streamline operations and achieve sustainable scaling.
Attendees will leave equipped to address challenges in manufacturing scalability, leveraging best practices in team development, supply chain management, and operational efficiency. This hands-on, interactive workshop is tailored to engage participants at all build stages, fostering collaboration and open dialogue.
Funding Innovation from Idea to A-Round – May 6th at 11:00 AM EST
This presentation explores the critical stages of securing funding for hardware startups, from initial concepts to achieving A-Round financing. Key topics include understanding the diverse funding options such as grants, venture capital, and crowdfunding, and the considerations for determining company valuation. Attendees will gain insights into creating compelling financial projections, networking effectively, and navigating legal complexities. The session also addresses building a strong pitch deck and planning funding allocation strategically to meet business growth goals.
Expert Office Hours – May 13th at 11:00 AM EST
Questions about what you have learned so far? Want to pick the brains of our expert presenters? Join us for office hours!
Managing Your Primary Contract Manufacturer – May 20th at 1 PM EST
This presentation explores the critical process of selecting and managing a primary contract manufacturer (CM), equipping attendees with the tools and insights to make informed decisions. It covers key topics, including evaluating CMs through structured tools, understanding value-added services, and balancing technical and personal considerations for partnership success. A practical case study and interactive discussions help participants grasp decision matrices, risk assessments, and strategies for fostering strong supplier relationships. The workshop also emphasizes effective communication and collaboration, providing actionable guidance for scaling production and maintaining quality.
Innovating for Excellence: Product Development and DFX Strategies – May 27th at 11:00 AM EST
Discover how to streamline product development and optimize designs with the “Innovating for Excellence” presentation. This session explores critical stages of product development, including concept ideation, market research, prototyping, manufacturing preparation, and Design for Excellence (DFX) strategies. Gain actionable insights into reducing costs, improving efficiency, and ensuring product success in competitive markets. Key takeaways include understanding DFX principles, best practices for validating designs, and strategies to transition seamlessly from pilot production to mass production.
This series will be presented by FORGE Manufacturing Experts-in-Residence, Mark Michalski and Scott Longley, as well as Innovation Advisor Sera Evcimen.
Mark L Michalski brings over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing, technical operations and operations information systems to his role as a manufacturing expert in residence for FORGE. Mark has designed, built and implemented proven strategies in process development, new product introduction, supply chain management, and facilities engineering in startup, turnaround and growth phase environments both locally and globally.
Mark has worked in a wide range of industries such as semiconductor capital equipment, medical devices, massively parallel advanced computing, fuel cells and distributed power systems, for leaders in their fields like MKS Instruments, Zoll Medical and BBN Advanced Computers. He is also a dedicated leader in the advancement of engineering education as a past president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and current board of directors member of the SME Education Foundation. Mark has also volunteered his time as an advisor at several local career and technical education high school programs. Mark is the founder of sizzle&STEM Media where he supports local businesses with digital marketing and social media solutions, as well as mentoring in the operations and supply chain space.
Mark received his education in Operations Management at Northeastern University. He is also formally trained in culinary arts. He is an avid supporter of the local arts community, with particular interest all things dance, having been trained as a ballroom dancer.
Scott Longley brings more than 28 years of experience as an international operations executive to his role as a manufacturing expert in residence for FORGE. He draws on his deep knowledge of process engineering, production, and supply chain management to advise startups and innovators as they grow and scale.
Scott has worked for Fortune 100 Companies like Apple, HP and Sun Microsystems, where he built, managed, and maximized global supply chains and manufacturing to meet customer needs. He is the former Co-Founder and COO of a Net Zero BIPV startup/manufacturer where he designed, and selected the company’s supply chain and manufacturing partners. Scott is also a former FORGE Advisory Board Member, as well as an advisor and consultant for several venture capital firms.
Scott received his MBA in Supply Chain Management and e-Commerce from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. He volunteers as an instructor and advisor for the UCONN Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Disabled Veterans and mentors several local veteran-owned companies in his spare time.
Sera Evcimen is a mechanical engineer who has had a diverse career spanning roles in mechanical, manufacturing, and systems integration engineering, as well as program management.
She’s worked on developing hardware products like cubesat satellites, consumer electronic bracelets, a fusion reactor, ion thrusters, and tactile-sensing robots which inspired her involvement with Techstars, where she serves as a mentor in residence, concentrating on hardware portfolio companies. She now has a boutique consulting firm, Pratik Development, specializing in consulting hardware innovation and startups alongside her podcast The Builder Circle.