AI-powered discovery of low-MOQ suppliers for solo hardware testing batches.
Solo hardware founders can't test small batches due to high MOQs from overseas suppliers requiring massive upfront costs.
ProtoScout scans global and local suppliers for low-MOQ options matching your specs, delivering instant quotes. Founders upload CAD/STP files for automated RFQ blasts and supplier scoring. Central dashboard tracks quotes, negotiations, and orders.
Solo founders in hardware manufacturing startups
ML-scored suppliers based on real founder reviews and delivery success rates, prioritizing US/EU for faster low-volume runs.
professional
Upload files to auto-generate RFQs sent to 100+ low-MOQ suppliers.
AI ranks suppliers by MOQ, price, speed, and reviews.
Aggregate and compare quotes in real-time dashboard.
One-click counteroffers and chat with suppliers.
Place orders, track production/shipping from dashboard.
Rate suppliers to improve future matches.
Save reusable RFQ templates.
PDF quote comparisons.
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| text | No | |
| company | text | Yes |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| name | text | No |
| moq_min | int | No |
| location | text | Yes |
| score | int | Yes |
| updated_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| user_id | uuid | No |
| specs_url | text | No |
| quantity | int | No |
| status | text | No |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| rfq_id | uuid | No |
| supplier_id | uuid | No |
| price | int | No |
| lead_time | int | Yes |
Relationships:
/api/rfqsCreate RFQ from CAD upload
/api/quotes/:rfqIdFetch quotes for RFQ
/api/suppliersSearch scored suppliers
/api/ordersPlace order from quote
/api/reviewsSubmit supplier review
No negotiations
50 quotes/mo
Unlimited
| Month | Users | Conversion | MRR | ARR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 150 | 3% | $36 | $432 |
| Month 6 | 1,200 | 6% | $576 | $6,912 |
Upload your design, get matched quotes from vetted makers – no more overseas minimums.
Share MVP on Hacker News 'Ask HN: Hardware prototyping?' and Twitter searches for 'struggling with MOQ'. Offer free Pro to first 10 from hardware Slack groups like Makerlog. Cold email founders from recent Kickstarter hardware campaigns.
Cheap large runs
High MOQ for customs
Low-MOQ focus with matching
Fast prototypes
Limited supplier variety
Multi-supplier AI scouting
Proprietary supplier scoring data from user reviews creates flywheel.
AI parsing of CAD files now viable; reshoring trends post-COVID boost local low-MOQ demand.
CAD parsing errors
Support common formats first, manual fallback
Suppliers ignore RFQs
Seed with partnerships
IP concerns with uploads
Secure storage, no-share policy
Success: 80% want low-MOQ tool
Success: 10 quotes converted
Success: 200 organic users
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