On May 8, the Hardtech Innovators Network gathered at Electric Works in Fort Wayne to explore one of innovation’s toughest challenges: frameworks and best practices for new product development.
Hosted by Conexus Indiana and powered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the quarterly Hardtech Innovators Network events are designed to connect advanced manufacturing and logistics professionals with hardtech entrepreneurs. By fostering relationships among engineers, product developers, corporate innovators and entrepreneurs, the network helps strengthen Indiana’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and logistics.
The May event, which was held in partnership with Plug and Play Indiana and sponsored by Junction 36, powered by Indiana Tech, continued that mission with three focused presentations on what it takes to successfully bring a new product from concept to market—especially when the stakes are high and the technology is complex. 96 attendees heard from thought leaders with expertise in new product development, including:
Developing with Purpose: Translating User Needs into Innovative Product Solutions from Fort Wayne Metals
Caitlin Smith, new product development engineer at Fort Wayne Metals, kicked off the morning by highlighting the company’s approach to user-centered design (UCD). In her presentation, she shared how Fort Wayne Metals collaborated with a medical device customer and the end-users (surgeons) to design a next-generation product used in pulmonary endoscopy procedures.
Her key takeaway was that successful product development hinges on precisely understanding the end user’s needs, particularly when they are not the buyer or purchaser of the product. Involving end users early and often in the product development process helps align the manufacturer to the specific requirements, avoids costly missteps and ultimately builds products that solve real-world problems.
“Where Are We?”- A Product Development Recovery Guide from Riverside Mfg.
Next up, Scott Maddox, president of Riverside Mfg., offered a candid look at how product development can sometimes go off track, and what to do when it does. Using Riverside’s own SmartTek™ product line as a case study, Maddox illustrated how even the most promising concepts can stumble without consistently revisiting your product development process and understanding where you in that ongoing journey.
His advice for the group: Have a clearly defined product development process, continuously train your team on it, and regularly ask, “Where are we in the process?”. Honest introspection, combined with a structured framework, can help product development teams reset, refocus and recover before missteps become costly failures.
Zero to Product: What Corporates Can Learn from Hardtech Startups from HeavyTech, Inc.
Rounding out the speaker lineup was Michael Terzo, co-Founder and CEO of HeavyTech, Inc., who shared lessons learned from years in the hardtech startup space. Drawing on his experience building everything from mobility equipment to industrial powertrain systems, Terzo encouraged established manufacturers to embrace startup-style agility.
Among his top recommendations was to move quickly, even without perfect information; prototype early and often; give small, cross-functional teams full ownership of projects; and treat startup partners as true collaborators. Through a case study involving a rapid-response team that salvaged a key customer relationship, Terzo underscored the value of trust, speed and hands-on problem solving.
A Fort Wayne First
This marked the Hardtech Innovators Network’s first event in Fort Wayne and the energy at Electric Works proved the Northeast Indiana region is eager to be a leader in the next wave of industrial innovation and new product development.
Up next, the Network heads to Launch Fishers on August 14, 2025, to discuss “Making it Here: The Power of Local Product Development.” Stay tuned and join us as we continue to build Indiana’s hardtech innovation community.
