Prototype production is the first barrier to entry for manufacturing startups. This is because prototype production is not achieved solely through manufacturing capabilities in a specific field. Large companies can create prototypes by having experts in each field perform their respective duties, but startups often consist of a small number of non-experts, making prototype production itself difficult. Even if the founder is an expert in the manufacturing field, the lack of knowledge in other technical areas inevitably leads to trial and error in prototype production.

The main reasons for the difficulty in prototype production include ▲ cost burden ▲ lack of technical and design capabilities ▲ lack of access to manufacturing infrastructure ▲ difficulties in mass production ▲ financial and policy limitations. Even when using commercial parts, prototype production requires more than several million KRW, and the unit cost and product completeness vary for each manufacturing expert commissioned. For non-expert entrepreneurs, it is challenging to design products or find specialized personnel, and software experts are essential if AI or operational functions are to be included.


Moreover, a significant budget is required for all processes. Even a simple part used in a prototype requires hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of KRW if molds are used for direct production and processing. Additionally, since a small number of parts are manufactured manually, expert labor costs are needed, and finding PCB manufacturing or injection companies, as well as the precise manufacturing equipment required for production, is challenging. If the initial model is incomplete and needs to be remade several times, the costs double.

Overwhelming Prototype Production, Seoul Tech Maker Space Assists

Even after prototype production is completed, it is only the beginning. It is extremely difficult to create a system for making prototypes accessible to consumers at an affordable price and with completeness, and for mass production. Even if a prototype is completed, entrepreneurs face frustration in converting it into a mass-production structure. From an investor's perspective, it is difficult to make an investment decision without mass-produced products, and there are non-technical barriers to entry such as standards, certification procedures, and patents. Only after overcoming all these hurdles and delivering mass-produced products to consumers can entrepreneurs take their first steps as businesspeople. Trial and error are inevitable in this structure.

‘Maker Spaces,’ the institutions closest to manufacturing entrepreneurs, operate programs to reduce trial and error for manufacturing entrepreneurs and further open the path to commercialization. The Maker Space Construction and Operation Business Center under the Startup Support Group at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (hereafter referred to as the Maker Space Center) operates the ‘Prototype Advancement Support Program’ to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs with groundbreaking ideas or high commercialization potential to overcome technical constraints encountered in the product creation process and advance their prototypes to the next level.

The Maker Space resolves issues such as cost burden, lack of technical and design capabilities, lack of access to manufacturing infrastructure, and difficulties in mass production, which approach as obstacles in prototype production, by leveraging years of accumulated know-how and institutional support. Entrepreneurs receive consultations and are provided with everything from the funds needed for prototype production to budgeting and expert mentoring. A spotlight is placed on one company participating in the 'Prototype Production Program,' moving from the idea stage to the dream of mass-produced products.

Always Challenging Student Startups, 'Brave' Team Rising from Seoul Tech


In May this year, the Maker Space Center at Seoul National University of Science and Technology held the ‘2025 IoT Re:Designathon,’ where students could actually manufacture their startup items. Following this, in July, the ‘2025 AI Startup Camp’ was held, providing students with a process that simulated real-world startup education, prototype advancement, pre-work for product sales, and company introductions. The Brave team won the grand prize among the 8 participating teams at that time and expressed their intention to receive preliminary startup packages and prototype production consultations in their victory speech.


Although there were options like graduation and employment, members of the Brave team decided to bring this idea to reality. Subsequently, the Brave team applied for prototype production at the Maker Space Center to advance the braille device for the visually impaired they developed at that time into an actual product, receiving budget and manufacturing consulting support. Prospective entrepreneur Lee Chae-eun stated, “The cost and process of prototype production are difficult to handle at the student level. Through the startup camp, I participated in the prototype production program at the Maker Space Center of Seoul Tech and am in the process of productizing the idea,” explaining the background of their involvement.


The device they are producing physically outputs braille based on voice recognition and assists in braille learning through quiz, learning, and AI search modes. It also utilizes on-device AI, involving circuit board and coding work, and requires a complex product design including the exterior, buttons, speakers, and industrial design. Prospective entrepreneur Lee Chae-eun stated, “Through mentoring, I received opinions on software and even hardware manufacturing know-how that is difficult to grasp from a student’s perspective. I am also receiving multifaceted help, from opinions on making the product within a limited unit cost to labor cost reduction,” she said.


With the support of prototype production, the Brave team completed a prototype at a level that can be practically used and will start testing it with visually impaired individuals from early November. Prospective entrepreneur Lee Chae-eun stated, “Our product generates letters in the same size as actual braille, making it good for learning purposes, and supports AI-based learning without connecting to external devices with on-device AI. If you have an idea, schools or the government are well-equipped to help you create products, so I hope prospective entrepreneurs in similar situations will explore business opportunities,” she said.

The Maker Space Center at Seoul Tech is also supporting prototype production for manufacturing entrepreneurs such as ‘Mine3DP,’ which manufactures pet memorials using 3D printing, ‘DNA,’ which produces custom premium lighting, ‘HiLow,’ which makes functional pillows, ‘Molado,’ which creates no-code-based educational board games, and ‘Sleepy,’ which makes a guided intubation system.

Many Prototype Production Supports, but More Efficient and Customized Support Needed


There are four main types of programs supporting prototype production for manufacturing startup companies. SMEs that have reached a certain growth trajectory can participate in the ‘SME Innovation Voucher Project’ by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, and in the design field, there is the ‘Design-Online Manufacturing Platform Service’ by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion. Idea and invention-based entrepreneurs can participate in the ‘Living Invention Korea’ by the Intellectual Property Office. The preliminary startup package and Youth Startup Academy are also applicable. However, each project has its own entry barriers and conditions, making it difficult to easily receive support.

To address these blind spots, Maker Spaces across the country support local entrepreneurs by providing access to manufacturing equipment, and some centers, like the Maker Space Center at Seoul Tech, offer specialized startup and prototype production support. Particularly, the prototype production support program at Seoul Tech is advantageous because it allows companies to receive benefits in a timely manner through ongoing support. It is hoped that more projects tailored to the needs of companies will emerge to support the growth of domestic startup companies.

IT Donga Reporter Nam Si-hyun (sh@itdonga.com)

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