Product development for entrepreneurs and small companies

Product development that survives first contact with the market — focused on specification, feasibility and commercial logic.

Product development from prototype to specification and testing
What this service solves

The biggest cost of product development isn't development — it's developing the wrong product. We help ask the right questions earlier: who buys, at what price, what is the minimum needed for the first sale, and which specification can realistically reach those numbers.

Before / After

What changes after we work together

Before
  • An idea without a specification or commercial thesis.
  • Unclear price, MOQ and market acceptance.
  • Prototypes that don't match what the market asks for.
After
  • Commercial thesis and a clear must-have / nice-to-have spec.
  • A development plan with risks and priorities.
  • Manufacturer-ready preparation and the first commercial batch.
Business situation

When this service makes sense

Who it's for
  • Founders developing their first physical product.
  • Companies adding a new product to an existing line.
  • Founders with an idea and an early prototype but no structure for the next steps.
When to get in touch
  • You have an idea and an early prototype and need a structured path to production.
  • You are turning a hobby into a business and need real structure.
  • Development has dragged on without clear metrics for 'done'.
Commercial funnel

From idea to a product that can actually be sold

Product development is not a creative exercise — it is a chain of decisions that reduces risk before money leaves the account. These steps separate an idea from a product on the shelf.

  1. 01

    Idea

    What the product solves and why on this market.

  2. 02

    Validation

    Testing assumptions against market, competition and real customers.

  3. 03

    Specification

    A concrete description that can be sent to a manufacturer.

  4. 04

    Supplier / manufacturer

    A partner that can deliver the required quality and volume.

  5. 05

    Cost build-up

    Realistic cost, margin and price including risks.

  6. 06

    Testing

    A smaller batch and real-world validation before full launch.

  7. 07

    Launch

    A plan to enter the market through defined channels and messaging.

Approach

How we work

  1. Commercial thesis

    Who buys, at what price, through what channel — before finalizing specification.

  2. Specification

    Technical spec with a clear must-have / nice-to-have line.

  3. Prototype and validation

    Iterative prototyping with feedback from the market.

  4. Production preparation

    Manufacturer-ready spec and the first commercial batch.

What you receive

Concrete outcomes

  • Commercial thesis and product positioning.
  • Technical product specification.
  • Prototype development plan with milestones.
  • Manufacturer specification and prep for first commercial talks.
Meridian Consulting
Document
Sample deliverable

Product development plan

  • 01Product idea
  • 02Specification
  • 03Market validation
  • 04Cost structure
  • 05Prototype / first batch
  • 06Commercialisation
Development phases
Specificationdone
Validationdone
Prototypeactive
First batchnext
Go-to-marketnext
meridian-consulting.hr
Sample deliverable
Next step

Let's develop a product with a future

The first conversation is about understanding the idea and current stage. No obligation.

The first conversation is informative and without obligation.

Questions

Questions clients most often ask before we start working together.