CARDO leverages more than a decade of hands-on experience across product development, product optimization, manufacturing technologies, and industrial production to support start-ups and investors in turning complex ideas into viable businesses. Our background spans the full lifecycle — from early concept and technology validation to industrialization, series production, and market scaling.What differentiates CARDO is the integration of technical depth with business development and start-up experience. We understand how engineering decisions directly impact cost structures, scalability, risk exposure, and ultimately investment success. This allows us to identify critical issues early and translate technical complexity into clear, decision-ready insights.Through dedicated consulting services, proven methods, and structured processes, we support start-ups in building robust products and help investors assess and de-risk opportunities. Our approach combines systematic analysis with pragmatic execution — from defining product and cost targets to securing production readiness and supply-chain resilience. The result is reduced risk, faster execution, and sustainable value creation for both founders and investors.
The Product Health Check provides a structured and objective assessment of a product’s technical and economic condition. We analyze material and substance costs, product maturity, functional performance, and technical risks across the entire system. By combining engineering insight with cost transparency, we identify weak points, hidden risks, and cost drivers early on. The result is a clear, fact-based overview of where the product stands today — including a prioritized catalogue of measures that defines concrete actions to improve performance, reduce risks, and stabilize the business case.
Start-upsface elevated technical and operational risks due to limited experience,resources, and time. We support the systematic identification, evaluation, andmitigation of risks across product development and production. This includestechnical feasibility, supply-chain robustness, manufacturing readiness, andorganizational interfaces. Our structured approach helps teams focus on themost critical risk drivers early, rather than reacting to problems late. Theresult is a more resilient product roadmap and significantly reduced executionrisk on the path to market.
Our Technical Product Due Diligence provides investors and decision-makers with an independent, in-depth evaluation of a product’s technical foundation. We assess competitiveness, functional fulfillment, degree of innovation, IP position, technical risks, and supply-chain dependencies. Beyond identifying strengths and weaknesses, we derive concrete optimization measures and risk mitigation strategies. The result is a clear, decision-ready assessment that supports investment decisions, acquisitions, or strategic repositioning — grounded in engineering reality and market relevance.
Effective cost management must start early in product development, long before series production begins. We support startups and product teams in establishing transparent cost structures from concept phase onwards. This includes material selection, design-to-cost approaches, make-or-buy decisions, and supplier strategies. By linking technical decisions directly to cost impact, we help avoid late-stage surprises and uncontrolled cost growth. The result is a realistic, controllable cost baseline that aligns technical ambition with the targeted business case and long-term scalability.
Securing series production requires more than technical feasibility — it demands robustness, cost control, and scalability. We support companies throughout the transition from concept and prototype to stable serial manufacturing. Our focus lies on value engineering, industrialization strategy, supplier readiness, and technical risk mitigation. By working closely with development, purchasing, and manufacturing teams, we help ensure that products are not only buildable, but economically viable at scale. The outcome is a production-ready product with predictable costs and minimized ramp-up risks.
Transparent product control is essential for managing complexity over time. We design and implement monitoring systems that enable continuous visibility into key product KPIs such as cost, maturity, and risk exposure. This includes defining relevant indicators, establishing governance processes, and selecting or developing suitable toolsets. Our approach ensures that deviations are identified early and decisions are based on reliable data rather than assumptions. The result is a structured monitoring framework that supports proactive management throughout the entire product lifecycle.
When products drift away from their cost framework or business case, fast and structured intervention is critical. We support product turnarounds by identifying root causes in design, materials, manufacturing processes, or organizational setup. Based on this analysis, we redefine technical targets, cost structures, and priorities, and actively support implementation. Our hands-on approach ensures that corrective measures are not only defined but executed effectively. The goal is to restore economic viability and long-term competitiveness under real-world constraints.
Complex products require strong leadership, clear decision-making, and aligned stakeholders. Our coaching and mentoring services provide continuous, pragmatic support for founders, product owners, and technical leaders. We act as sparring partners in reviews, key meetings, and critical project phases, helping teams focus on what truly matters. Through regular interaction, we strengthen technical judgment, improve communication across disciplines, and enable faster, more confident decisions. The result is improved execution capability and reduced friction in complex product environments.
Bringinga product from prototype to series production is one of the most criticalphases for startups. We support this transition by bridging development andmanufacturing realities. Our services include industrialization planning,supplier selection, production concept development, and ramp-up support. Wehelp ensure that designs are manufacturable, scalable, and robust under realproduction conditions. The result is a smoother ramp-up, faster time to market,and reduced risk during the most capital-intensive phase of productdevelopment.
CValue engineering ensures that every function in a product delivers measurable value at the lowest possible cost. We support teams in analyzing functional requirements, identifying over-engineering, and evaluating alternative materials, designs, and processes. Our approach balances performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability — without compromising the product’s core value proposition. By integrating value engineering early in development, we enable sustainable cost optimization and improved competitiveness throughout the entire product lifecycle.
For inquiries, email us at contact@cardo.ag
