You Pay:
Prototype:
Payment:
Residual Cost:
Materials Covered:
Hardware:
Firmware:
Industrial Design:
Housing:
* Residual cost
The purchase amount of plan covers only the base cost for the team during the project development. You receive exclusive rights to produce your product, while we retain the IP until the license is fully paid.
The license cost depends on the selected plan and is paid as percentage of the revenue you generate once you start generating it. However, there should be a minimum of $2,000 paid each 6 months after project start as a license retainer.
You can cancel the license retainer at any time without any additional fees. In this case you lose your rights to the IP, which will then remain Zekeng’s property.
** Equity deal
Leasing is covered by a certain percentage of your company. This is a limited option and Zekeng’s team decides whether to invest.
Zekeng serves as an Operational Investor and is invested in the success of your startup. We will provide ongoing technical support and consultation and also ensure smooth transition to internal team, giving you the option to transfer the project developers to your payroll or include them as co-founders if they also express this interest.
Feature | INSPIRATION | DISCOVERY | DISCOVERY+ | ASCENSION |
---|---|---|---|---|
Idea Feasibility Check | ||||
Discussing Business and Design Goals | ||||
Practical Product Roadmap | ||||
Requirements Specification | ||||
Technology Feasibility Check | ||||
Proof of Concept | ||||
Engineering Validation | ||||
Market Validation | ||||
Advanced Technology Research | ||||
Breadboard Prototype | ||||
Close-to-final- product Prototype | ||||
Custom Hardware | ||||
Custom Firmware | ||||
Schematic Design | ||||
PCB Design & Assembly | ||||
Custom PCB Form Factor | ||||
Industrial Design | ||||
Mechanical Design | ||||
Photorealistic Aesthetics Design | ||||
Reusable Design | ||||
Design For Manufacturing | ||||
Regulatory Compliance Design | ||||
Materials Cost Optimization | ||||
PCB Assembly | ||||
Housing Production * | ||||
Custom Mechanical Parts * | ||||
Form Models (Mockups) | ||||
Prototype Aesthetics (Finish) | ||||
System Integration and Tests | ||||
Supporting Regulatory Testing for Product Marks |
* Residual cost
The purchase amount of plan covers only the base cost for the team during the project development. You receive exclusive rights to produce your product, while we retain the IP until the license is fully paid.
The license cost depends on the selected plan and is paid as percentage of the revenue you generate once you start generating it. However, there should be a minimum of $2,000 paid each 6 months after project start as a license retainer.
You can cancel the license retainer at any time without any additional fees. In this case you lose your rights to the IP, which will then remain Zekeng’s property.
** Equity deal
Leasing is covered by a certain percentage of your company. This is a limited option and Zekeng’s team decides whether to invest.
Zekeng serves as an Operational Investor and is invested in the success of your startup. We will provide ongoing technical support and consultation and also ensure smooth transition to internal team, giving you the option to transfer the project developers to your payroll or include them as co-founders if they also express this interest.
Feature | INSP | DISC | DISC+ | ASCE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Idea Feasibility Check | ||||
Discussing Business and Design Goals | ||||
Practical Product Roadmap | ||||
Requirements Specification | ||||
Technology Feasibility Check | ||||
Proof of Concept | ||||
Engineering Validation | ||||
Market Validation | ||||
Advanced Technology Research | ||||
Breadboard Prototype | ||||
Close-to-final- product Prototype | ||||
Custom Hardware | ||||
Custom Firmware | ||||
Schematic Design | ||||
PCB Design & Assembly | ||||
Custom PCB Form Factor | ||||
Industrial Design | ||||
Mechanical Design | ||||
Photorealistic Aesthetics Design | ||||
Reusable Design | ||||
Design For Manufacturing | ||||
Regulatory Compliance Design | ||||
Materials Cost Optimization | ||||
PCB Assembly | ||||
Housing Production * | ||||
Custom Mechanical Parts * | ||||
Form Models (Mockups) | ||||
Prototype Aesthetics (Finish) | ||||
System Integration and Tests | ||||
Supporting Regulatory Testing for Product Marks |
dummy line
For INSPIRATION plan, we create a concept proof device a.k.a. breadboard or ‘duct-tape’ prototype, which is essential for exploring your product idea. Sometimes it is possible to examine user experience as well. For the hardware we use off-the-shelf components and development kits. For firmware/software we use free open source software and services.
The INSPIRATION plan is suitable for early stage startups which need a concept proof or validation of their idea, before investing much money, time and energy.
Consulting
Development
Note: Usually, the prototypes made are not very robust and easy to transport without breaking out. However, we do our best to ship them if needed. Shipping cost is NOT covered by the plan and is paid separately.
By signing up for INSPIRATION plan you:
DISCOVERY plan is geared toward startups which have already proven their concept and idea with a concept proof prototype or are using already established technology. This plan is highly suitable for software companies that have experience in app development, websites and cloud services but don’t have experience in hardware.
This plan is geared toward startups which have already proven their concept and idea with a concept proof prototype or are using already established technology. This plan is highly suitable for software companies that have experience in app development, websites and cloud services but don’t have experience in hardware.
Consulting
Development
Manufacturing
The ASCENSION plan covers a full-product development cycle in which 2-3 prototypes are made. The final prototype is a pre-producton version of the desired product. It is fully operational and suitable for showing to potential customers and investors.
This plan is suitable for companies that are ‘already in the business’ and want to develop a completely new product or improve a pre-existing product. It is also suitable for startups that already have funding.
Consulting
Development
Manufacturing
Other
Note: The ASCENSION plan covers moldable design but DOES NOT cover the molding or any related tools. Rapid prototyping approach is used instead.
By signing up for ASCENSION plan you:
Don’t worry. That’s why we’re here. Go ahead and order a basic consultation plan and a Zekeng representative will call you. Together, you can select the most appropriate plan. If you cannot decide, you’ll only be billed for the consultation. If we cannot help you with your project, you will receive a full refund. The consultation price is deductable from the plan.
The main goal of the initial consultation is to understand your goals and decide what resources you will need to do the project. A few days after consulting, you will receive a report that contains a detailed record of meeting, idea feasibility check, and basic technology research.
Normally, this doesn’t happen. Zekeng has enough experience to estimate the initial production costs. However, there are always exceptions. In this case Zekeng assumes the risk.
Of course you can, but we will add markup that will cover the bank and administration expenses.
Sometimes we find really good projects that resonate with us. Why? Because we believe we can add additional value to the project’s success. By evaluating the project, we may decide to invest the leasing payment in your project by acquiring equity. Unfortunatelly, we cannot invest in all projects.
Payments are collected at the beginning of each month. The upfront payment is considered payment for the first month.
We do our best to maintain an efficient schedule. Time periods for each plan are approximations. In the hardware world, unlike software, we wait for suppliers, components and production. This always add overhead. Sometimes it is predictable, sometimes it is not.
You are free to do so, and we encourage it!
With the exception of MVPs, all packages can be canceled but doesn’t include upfront and current-month payments.
After selecting a plan, you have to fill a short questionnaire and order the basic consulting plan. Within the next few days, a representative of the Zekeng team will contact you to set up a consulting call. If we’re unable to move forward with your project, you will receive a full refund.
The material costs is the price of materials and components for production that is included in the package. If the price is higher, it is paid as an extra expense without markup.
In order to preserve the intellectual property, you should pay the residual cost. Residual cost is paid only in case of product success or further investment stage. However, the payments shouldn’t be less than $2000 during a 6-month period. You can always cancel the leasing but you will forfeit the IP.
You can communicate through the project managers. This ensures that your thoughts and concerns are taken into account while the team is able to focus on your project with no distractions.
This is contingent on the particular plan. We try to allow clients to test working prototype as much as possible.
Cost optimization is the choosing of components at the best cost-to-quality ratio. This is important because parts should maintain the right balance of quality and cost-effectiveness, ensuring efficient and successful production.
We define it as a successful product launch with expected sales or successful funding.