For entrepreneurs and indie inventors, turning a brilliant concept into an actual product on store shelves is one of the biggest make-or-break moments. The traditional path of working with a large, established product development firm seems logical — they’ve got deep pockets and resources, after all. But Noah McNeely, founder of Product QuickStart, knows from hard-won experience that those large companies are often a terrible idea for startups and entrepreneurs just starting out.
“The big product development firms have established processes locked in for their Fortune 500 clients,” Noah explains. “But that structure tries to squeeze a startup through something like an industrialized assembly line. It’s a total mismatch and very inefficient.”
The stats reveal an ugly truth about those massive firms and startups. Out of every 1,000 inventions that newcomers bring through their doors dreaming of success, only around one actually makes it to market. These are not great odds for passionate entrepreneurs pouring their heart, soul, and life savings into launching that revolutionary gadget or product.
Noah’s passion for helping entrepreneurs stems from his own lifelong entrepreneurial spirit. “I’ve always been driven to find successes in my own way,” he says. “Even from age 12 when I started working, there was an element of entrepreneurialism. In grad school, I juggled five different jobs, some official and others more entrepreneurial ventures like freelance design work and selling t-shirts to pay expenses. I understand the passion and drive of the entrepreneurs I work with because I see a bit of myself in them. That’s why I want to help them succeed.”
Through Product QuickStart, Noah offers a more efficient alternative for entrepreneurs striving to get to market efficiently. Leveraging over two decades of designing, engineering, and manufacturing cutting-edge products himself, he’s crafted a streamlined model that provides the heavy-hitting capabilities of larger firms with a precise approach tailored carefully to the needs of inventors and startups.
“We bring in precisely the specialized services each client needs at just the right moment — nothing more, nothing less,” he says. “It’s surgical precision rather than a shotgun approach. This nuanced strategy saves our clients a boatload of time, money, and headaches upfront.”
But the true differentiator lies in Noah’s background, fusing mechanical engineering with industrial design instincts. “I’ve seen too many product designs over the years that looked amazing in renderings but were basically unbuildable in reality,” he mentions. “From day one, we carefully consider materials, processes, and suppliers that can actually manufacture the initial vision. We’re not just making pretty pictures, we’re crafting a complete pathway to product launch.”
This approach has proven immensely valuable, with Product QuickStart achieving an impressive 30-50% success rate in helping clients launch products and enter the market — a major difference from the 1-in-1,000 odds at larger firms.
Through their model, Noah’s team has now guided over 250 startups, inventors, and entrepreneurs in their efforts to commercialize innovative offerings across a wide range of categories, including consumer goods, medical devices, electronics, professional equipment, and more.
Noah’s first priority is ensuring every project has a legitimate product/market fit and viable business model — not chasing fads or rehashing existing ideas. This is evidenced in the success stories of his clients, including those who have gone on to launch scalable businesses and those who have achieved multi-million dollar exit events.
“The coolest, most advanced product is still dead on arrival if it doesn’t genuinely solve a problem customers will pay for,” Noah stresses.
In addition to Product QuickStart’s full lifecycle services spanning concepts to manufacturing, Noah coaches fellow entrepreneurs through inevitable challenges. He hosts the Product Genius podcast, demystifying the invention and startup process. Additionally, Noah serves on the advisory board for Georgia Tech’s elite mechanical engineering program, which continues to inspire the next generation of innovators.
As a devoted, lifelong entrepreneur himself, Noah has a deep conviction for empowering other underdogs to realize their visions against the odds. “There are so many amazing ideas from independent inventors and small companies that get squashed by lack of resources,” Noah says. “Our goal is to remove those roadblocks and give clients an efficient on-ramp to bring incredible products successfully to market.”
