Free Tools · No Sales Call Required

Free Planning Tools to Start Developing Your New Product

Whether you're exploring an idea or ready to build, these tools help you estimate costs, find funding, and document your product requirements — all before your first meeting.

Stage 1

Concept Sketch

Stage 2

CAD & Engineering

Stage 3

Prototype & Test

Stage 4

Manufacture & Ship

Choose a Tool to Get Started

These tools are designed for Stage 1 — Concept Planning. Start here before engaging a design team.

Each tool is free, takes under 5 minutes, and gives you real planning data — no account needed.

MOST POPULAR

Product Development Budget Estimator

Describe your product idea or pick from examples ranging in complexity. Get instant estimates for development cost, timeline, required engineering disciplines, and technical challenges.

Timeline estimate

Engineering disciplines

Complexity assessment

Launch Tool

Funding Search

Find grants, programs, and funding sources relevant to your product category and location. Covers Canadian and US funding for product development and commercialization.

Grants & programs

Canada & US coverage

Filtered by product category

Launch Tool

Capture Requirements

Document your product idea with our guided Product Sketcher. Capture design requirements, target users, constraints, and functionality — creating a brief that any engineering team can work from.

Describe your product and instantly generate 4 detailed user personas — complete with demographics, goals, pain points, and willingness to pay. Understand who you're designing for before you start building.

4 diverse personas

Demographics & goals

Editable & exportable

Launch Tool

Need an Experienced Product Development Team?

Design 1st has developed 1,200+ physical products since 1996. Our integrated team takes products from concept through manufacturing, ready for first customer sales.

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