Instant matches to low-MOQ factories vetted for student hardware projects.
Students building hardware startups cannot manufacture small batches due to high MOQ requirements from factories, blocking their product launches.
FabLink curates factories offering 1-50 unit runs; students submit RFQs and get instant quotes/matches. Built-in negotiation templates and student discounts reduce barriers. Dashboard tracks quotes, orders, and quality feedback.
Students building hardware startups
Pre-negotiated student rates with factories, plus RFQ templates tailored to prototypes.
professional
Guided form for specs, files, quantity to generate RFQs.
AI sorts vetted factories by price, lead time, location.
Compare quotes side-by-side with one-click order.
Templates and chat for factory comms.
Auto-apply verified student pricing.
Rate factories post-order for community trust.
Archive past RFQs and re-order.
Send to multiple factories at once.
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| text | No | |
| is_student | bool | No |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| user_id | uuid | No |
| specs_json | text | No |
| quantity | int | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| name | text | No |
| student_rate | int | No |
| capabilities | text | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| rfq_id | uuid | No |
| factory_id | uuid | No |
| price | int | No |
Relationships:
/api/rfqsSubmit RFQ
/api/quotesGet quotes for RFQ
/api/factoriesList vetted factories
/api/ordersPlace order from quote
No discounts
None
None
| Month | Users | Conversion | MRR | ARR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 40 | 3% | $120 | $1,440 |
| Month 6 | 250 | 6% | $900 | $10,800 |
FabLink connects you to factories ready for 1-50 units with student pricing.
Email hardware profs at top 10 unis for intros to clubs, run targeted LinkedIn ads to 'hardware student' keywords, offer free Pro for first RFQ.
Fast PCBs
Limited to electronics, no RFQ matching
All hardware types, student-focused matching
Curated factory network with student data improving matches over time.
Global supply chain recovery enabling more flexible factories post-COVID.
Factory API integration fails
Manual quotes initially
Factories ignore small orders
Pre-sign MOUs
Payment disputes
Escrow via Stripe
Success: 15 need low MOQ now
Success: 5 orders placed
Success: 20% repeat rate
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