Title: Practical Prototyping
Author: mfucilli
Published: October 25, 2024
Last modified: January 17, 2025

---

   Registration is closed for this event

 Join us for dinner and learn something new! Get expert insight into the prototyping
process for new entrepreneurs and inventors. 

![](https://www.tvcog.net/wp-content/uploads/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/prototyping%
202026-04-14%20145022.jpg)

**This program is for:**
   • Individuals that have an idea for a new product, but
aren’t sure how to turn it into a business.    • Researchers and professionals who’ve
developed new tech in a lab or at work, and see an opportunity for commercialization•
New entrepreneurs who sell unique products as a hobby, and want to improve their
product and grow sales   • Anyone who wants to learn the basics of starting a product-
based business  

**We’ll cover:** 
   • The typical lifecycle of a new hardware product business •
Examples of prototyping for customer discovery   • What tools & resources modern
hardware engineers are using   • Some real-life examples of how doing early market
research with basic prototypes changed the course of a product   • Q&A - Read our
presenter bios, and bring them your questions!  

**Dan Falkenstrom** is the Operations Director at Tech Valley Center of Gravity,
the Capital Region's premier makerspace & incubator. Dan oversees the day-to-day
operations of the organization, ensuring that hobbyists, entrepreneurs, startups
and small businesses have the resources, support, and collaborative environment 
they need to build and thrive. He has a background in manufacturing, with prior 
engineering positions at Pratt & Whitney and GE. 

**Troy Fischer** is a veteran toy inventor of 25 years with hundreds of products
under his belt. After 14 years with the Toy Biz division of Marvel Entertainment,
he established Fishco Innovation in 2007. Fishco has developed mechanical and optical
innovations in toy design for Hasbro, Fisher-Price, Spin Master, and Jakks Pacific.

**Dinner:** Chicken Parm buffet with non-alcoholic beverages. 

When

 April 23rd, 2026 from  6:00 PM to  8:00 PM

Event Fee(s)

 |  Event Fee |   $10.00  |

## Help spread the word

 Please help us and let your friends, colleagues and followers know about: **[Practical Prototyping](https://www.tvcog.net/civicrm/event/info/?id=3759&reset=1)**

 
**You can also share the below link in an email or on your website:** [https://www.tvcog.net/civicrm/event/info/?id=3759&reset=1](https://www.tvcog.net/civicrm/event/info/?id=3759&reset=1)