Design, Prototype, Protect: Startup Launch Blueprint

This week on the Bold Inventor Show, co-hosts J.D. Houvener and Matt Kulseth welcome engineering innovator Justin Knowles, founder of boutique product design firm Facture Design. From his early days in mechanical engineering to co-founding a startup acquired by Leatherman, Justin brings a rare blend of hands-on design experience, startup savvy, and deep empathy for inventors.

Based in Seattle but serving clients nationwide, Facture Design helps inventors turn napkin sketches into real, manufacturable products—with IP protection built in from day one. Whether you’re building the next big hardware product, scaling a pre-seed startup, or navigating manufacturing challenges, this episode is your roadmap to smart product development.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

🛠️ How Facture helps inventors at all stages
From first prototypes to manufacturing runs, learn how Justin and his team bring engineering, firmware, and industrial design under one roof.

💡 When design becomes invention
Justin shares when and how his firm is named as co-inventors—and how they navigate confidentiality and ownership with clients.

📦 Designing with the end in mind
Why you must define packaging, distribution, and sales channels before you finalize a design.

🔍 The real risks of skipping trademark checks
Matt breaks down a common mistake: investing in logos before securing brand protection—and Justin shares how his team flags those red flags early.

🧪 Prototype Sooner: The core philosophy of Facture
Get inspired by their team mantra: “Prototype Sooner.” Justin explains how rapid prototyping drives innovation and de-risks hardware development.

💼 From napkin sketch to retail shelf
Real-world examples of products Facture helped bring to life—from consumer coffee roasters to vertical wind turbines to IoT devices.

🚀 Startup strategy meets engineering design
Learn how Facture tailors their approach for Kickstarter brands, D2C companies, and those aiming for big-box retail partnerships.

👣 What founders should do before hiring a designer
Justin offers golden insights on product-market fit, IP strategy, packaging, and pricing before starting the design process.

This is more than just an interview—it’s a masterclass in how to launch physical products the right way. If you're an inventor, startup founder, or product manager looking to bring a new idea into the world, this episode is for you.

📬 Reach out to Justin at justin@facture.design
🔗 Learn more at facture.design