Solving Problems Through New Product Development and Product Design for ACT
Great products solve real problems. That’s why every product journey should start with a deep understanding of the problem and its context. Whether the solution is straightforward or technically uncertain, we’re here to help navigate the path from concept to reality.
Some ideas have clear engineering paths. Others involve unknowns, trials, and experiments. Both are valid, but require different expectations around time, cost, and risk. Our team specializes in identifying the right approach early — whether that’s rapid prototyping, simulation, or scientific investigation — and adapting as we go.
Whether you’re seeking help with product design, industrial design, electronics, or embedded systems, our team can support you through all phases of development — from concept sketches and mood boards to working prototypes and full production.
Our Process
Every project is different, but most follow these core phases:
- Project Review: Define the product goals, target users, and key functions. We collaborate closely to understand your vision and refine any early concepts.
- Planning: Outline possible technical paths, draft a rough BOM, estimate unit costs, and propose a high-level plan. We keep planning lean so your idea can evolve.
- Design: Turn ideas into computer-aided designs (CAD) with a focus on cost-effective prototyping, product aesthetics, and functionality. We often support this with mood boards, industrial design refinement, and rapid iteration using modern 3D CAD tools.
- Prototyping: Build physical or digital prototypes for testing and feedback. We often recommend multiple iterations to ensure your product is ready for market or investors.
- Production: Transition from prototype to manufacture-ready design. We assist with DFM reports, supplier quotes, and production planning.
- Promotion: Optionally, we can help you prepare promotional materials such as logos, renders, brochures, and videos.
In some cases, we may suggest an early feasibility study or proof-of-concept (PoC) build before formal development starts. This helps reduce technical and financial risk.
Funding Your New Product Development and Product Design for ACT
Development costs are typically one-off investments. They shift your breakeven point but don’t directly affect long-term profit. Focus instead on reducing unit (marginal) costs and ensuring your product has real demand.
If self-funding isn’t an option, here are some alternatives:
Government Grants
Equity Investment
Some founders self-fund an early prototype, then pitch to an industry-aligned investor for further support. This can lead to reimbursement of early costs, mentorship, and shared equity arrangements.
Other Sources
- Angel Investors: Often fund pre-revenue concepts
- Venture Capital: More common once traction is proven
- Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter allow pre-sales to fund development
Why Choose COLETEK for New Product Development and Product Design for ACT?
Our core team includes robotics engineers and PhD scientists with decades of combined experience. This lets us bridge disciplines and solve hard problems quickly — saving you time and cost versus siloed firms.
We work lean, embrace agility, and treat each project as a partnership. Whether you’re building a proof-of-concept (PoC), a commercial minimal viable product (MVP) or validating a high-risk idea, we tailor the process to suit your goals, budget, and stage.
We also offer a private client dashboard to keep your project organised, with timelines, file sharing, and chat in one place. It’s like your own project cockpit, purpose-built for hardware and product teams.
Tools, Capabilities & Examples
We bring together electronics, software, industrial design, and mechanical engineering under one roof. Our private dashboard ensures clear communication throughout your journey, while our capabilities and portfolio showcase our technical depth and product range.
Our Engagement Model
- Time and Materials basis (hourly + materials)
- No guarantees – we work on a best-effort R&D model
- Weekly billing with itemised timesheets
- 15-minute billing increments
- 7-day invoice terms or deposit-based
Next Steps
Ready to begin? Contact us with your concept or goals, and we’ll guide you through the review phase to identify the right development approach for your idea.
Explore Related Services
New Product Development and Product Design for ACT often draws on several of our specialised service areas. Depending on your project's scope, you may also be interested in:
- Electronics Design – Custom PCB design, component selection, and circuit prototyping.
- Software and Firmware Development – Backend, frontend, bare-metal and app development to support your product ecosystem.
- 3D Computer-aided Modeling (CAD) – Concept visualisation, enclosure design, and mechanical integration.
- Rapid 3D Prototyping – Fast-turnaround 3D printing and CNC machining or vacuum casting for test-fit, enclosures, PoCs and MVPs.
- Embedded Systems – Firmware development, microcontroller programming, and system integration.
- IoT & Edge-AI Systems – IoT & Edge-AI system design and development for data logging, control, and cloud integration.
- Robotics Prototyping – Autonomous systems, mobility solutions, and field-ready mechatronics.
- Artificial Intelligence – Vision systems, language systems, predictive models, and intelligent automation for smarter products.
Unlocking Innovation in Australian Capital Territory: COLETEK Engineering Solutions
Let’s build something remarkable together.
Contact UsNew Product Development and Product Design for ACT – Our Clients: Big Brands & Small Businesses
New Product Development and Product Design for ACT – Amazing Customer Testimonials
We've worked with Luke and the team on and off for the past two years. We've found them very accessible and extremely thorough in their dealings. Their documentation is second to none and we’d have no hesitation recommending them on this basis alone.
Skykraft is a Canberra based company designing and developing spacecraft for the delivery of global space-based services. Luke and the team have been very responsive with quotes and delivery of machined parts for our company. Looking forward to working with COLETEK on our space programmes.
Skykraft is a Canberra based company designing and developing spacecraft for the delivery of global space-based services. Luke and the team have been very responsive with quotes and delivery of machined parts for our company. Looking forward to working with COLETEK on our space programmes.
We've worked with Luke and the team on and off for the past two years. We've found them very accessible and extremely thorough in their dealings. Their documentation is second to none and we’d have no hesitation recommending them on this basis alone.
We had the opportunity to work with Coletek on the re-work of some complex SMD PCB assemblies during 2019. The work was carried out to a very high standard and we were extremely pleased with the outcome. We would not hesitate to recommend COLETEK for any type of complex technology work requiring high accuracy and professionalism.
COLETEK have been absolutely fantastic in their support and manufacture of various components for us. Our designs are always bespoke, intricate and low volume and it’s great to have an Australian company like COLETEK as a trusted and quality manufacturer for our spacecraft mechanical components and assemblies – which have been flight proven through successful mission operations. Keep up the great work!
We had the opportunity to work with Coletek on the re-work of some complex SMD PCB assemblies during 2019. The work was carried out to a very high standard and we were extremely pleased with the outcome. We would not hesitate to recommend COLETEK for any type of complex technology work requiring high accuracy and professionalism.
Delivered excellence on time, great work and great team, thanks!
Delivered excellence on time, great work and great team, thanks!
COLETEK have been absolutely fantastic in their support and manufacture of various components for us. Our designs are always bespoke, intricate and low volume and it’s great to have an Australian company like COLETEK as a trusted and quality manufacturer for our spacecraft mechanical components and assemblies – which have been flight proven through successful mission operations. Keep up the great work!
Founded in 2001, we are a multiple award winning, highly experienced multidisciplinary company specialising in lean product development through rapid prototyping - transforming ideas from concept to life. Our industry-leading team combines deep expertise, cutting-edge technology, and advanced equipment to validate emerging ideas—transforming them into market-ready hardware and software solutions.
Our experience dates back to the 1990s with ANU "Robotics Systems Lab", CSIRO, NICTA (aka Data61), Seeing Machines, Location Aware Technologies, and Hemisphere GPS (aka BEELINE). For over 10 years now, we've been focused on validating R&D and taking ideas to commercialisation.
Useful Links
Location
Servicing Inner South, Belconnen, Gungahlin, Woden Valley, Inner North, Tuggeranong, Weston Creek, Canberra