RAPID PROTOTYPING SERVICE BUSINESS PLAN

I. Executive Summary

Company Description

ForgeVector Labs (named to combine "forge" for manufacturing and "vector" for directed innovation) is an Austin, Texas‑based high‑tech manufacturing service provider launching in 2026. We operate in the rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing sector, delivering functional prototype parts to US R&D teams. Our core services pair industrial SLA and SLS 3D printing with multi‑axis CNC machining to produce complex geometries with production‑grade strength in days. One line: We turn design iterations into testable parts within business days, not weeks.

We run a hybrid digital shop floor with automated job queuing, in‑house material characterization, and tight quality workflows to serve product developers at startups, OEMs, and university labs. What sets us apart is the precise handoff between additive freedom and subtractive finish, documented material data, and a quality SLA that targets +/-0.1 mm on critical features. Short‑term goal: achieve 60% capacity utilization and 30 active enterprise R&D clients in year one. Long‑term goal: scale to three regional hubs and a recurring enterprise subscription offering. One line: We cut prototype cycle time, reduce iteration cost, and de‑risk product launches for R&D teams.

Problem

Product designers and hardware innovators face excessive lead times for functional prototypes—often stretching into months—and high small-batch costs that limit iteration frequency and slow time-to-market for regulated sectors such as aerospace and medical devices.

The disconnect between digital design and physical manufacturing forces engineers to accept sub-optimal designs because traditional shops require significant tooling, setup fees, and long runs to handle complex geometries; this raises costs, increases regulatory risk, and reduces the number of design iterations.

One-liner: Slow, costly prototyping forces fewer iterations and delays product-market fit.

Solution

Engineers face slow, costly prototyping because traditional vendors separate additive and subtractive work, inflate setup costs, and stretch lead times. Our platform solves this by combining industrial-grade additive printing and multi-axis CNC machining with a proprietary digital interface that provides instant quoting and design-for-manufacturability feedback, delivering functional, high-tolerance prototypes in days and removing multi-vendor handoffs.

One-liner: Hybrid additive-plus-CNC workflow that turns CAD into test-ready prototypes in days.

Mission Statement

We turn digital designs into high-quality physical reality with industry-leading speed, precision, and quality. We enable innovators to accelerate product development and solve complex engineering challenges by combining advanced manufacturing technology with expert engineering support. We commit to customer success, continuous improvement, and responsible operations that reduce waste and shorten time to market.

Key Success Factors

These factors directly enable fast, repeatable delivery of high-value R&D parts to aerospace and medical customers.

• Sub-five-day lead time for prototypes and small runs.
• Hybrid manufacturing capability offering multiple technologies in-house.
• Established customer relationships in aerospace and medical sectors.
• Proprietary digital quoting engine that lowers overhead and improves retention.
• Skilled machinists and engineers delivering parts to demanding specifications.

Financial Summary

Brief financial snapshot of the rapid prototyping service for the Executive Summary.

Financial requirements: total capital investment $1,940,000 for equipment and facility; anticipated return: Return on Equity 3.73% and IRR 1.13%.

Outlook: breakeven expected Feb-2028 with escalating EBITDA to $2,675,000 by year five.

Funding Requirements

The project requires a total of 3,091,000 USD at start to buy equipment, complete a controlled facility fit-out, install inspection/support systems, and hold minimum cash; breakeven is forecast for February 2028.