Industrial Design for Start-Ups & Scale-Ups.
Whistle provides tailored Industrial Design for Start-Ups and Scale-Ups who have a vision to introduce a new product or technology into the market. Typically these are newly established businesses who are in the early stages of the product development journey.
Both Start-ups and Scale-ups are characterised by their innovative ideas, disruptive business models, and high growth potential. Scale-ups have successfully transitioned from Start-up phase, by establishing a customer base and proving their business model.
Whistle works with Start-ups & Scale Ups to helping navigate them through the product development journey and develop their product for first market release. We work with Scale-Ups to optimise their product for sustained market growth and ongoing profitability.
What Do These Projects Look Like?
- High level of innovation and new thinking.
- Potential for great success with High Risk / High Reward Proposition.
- Technical challenges requiring dedicated Industrial Design and Product Engineering (Mechanical, Electronics) to achieve vision.
We work with those who have:
- Clear goals & business plan.
- Funding for early phases secured so we can hit the ground running.
Whistle has successfully collaborated with Start-Ups and Scale-Ups. We will bring valuable expertise, creative insights, and a structured design process to your start-up venture. We will help you navigate the complex journey of product development and enhance your chances of success in the market.
If you are a Start-Up or Scale-Up we’d love to support your project. Reach out to us for a confidential discussion.
Case Studies.
CSBP Detect.
See how we helped CSBP Fertilisers develop the Detect device, a unique combination of spectroscopy and machine learning to measure plant nitrogen status and provide real-time nitrogen recommendations.
KT360 Injury Prevention Platform.
See how we helped Kangatech develop the world class Sports Performance Technology that helps elite sporting and athletic teams around the world proactively manage and improve athlete health and performance.
vabsRider by AtaraxyBSC.
See how we helped ataraxyBSC develop a revolutionary split-seat bicycle seat design that glides with the natural movement of the body, creating a pain-free, enjoyable cycling experience for all riders.
Frequently Asked Questions.
At our industrial design firm, we work with founders—from first‑time entrepreneurs to seasoned startup teams—to turn ambitious product ideas into real, manufacturable solutions. Below are the most common questions we receive and how we support you through each stage.
We help you transform your product idea into a functional, desirable, and production‑ready product. Our capabilities include:
- Research and discovery
- Concept generation and refinement
- Ergonomics and user experience design
- CAD development
- Prototyping
- Design for manufacturing (DFM)
- Support through tooling, supplier communications, and production
- Product renderings and animations
We bridge the gap between early concepts and mass manufacturing.
You don’t need a completed design to work with us. The ideal time is when you:
- Have identified a clear problem to solve
- Understand your key features or value proposition
- Are ready to translate your idea into something tangible
If you’re still validating your market or business model, you may want to complete that first. But once you’re confident in your direction, we can help you move forward quickly.
Every product is different, but most startup projects fall into these ranges:
- Simple complexity: $15k–$50k
- Moderate complexity: $50k–$150k
- High complexity: $150k+
We price work on clear budgets so you always know what you’re getting and when.
A typical project could look like the following:
- Discovery: 2–4 weeks
- Concept Development: 3–6 weeks
- Product Engineering: 4–8 weeks
- Production Handover: 4–10 weeks
- Product Support: 2–6 weeks
Some projects move faster, some require more exploration—timelines are customised to your individual project’s needs.
Don’t worry about polish. We simply ask for:
- A clear product problem or opportunity
- Any known requirements or constraints
- Target customer or user information
- Competitive examples or inspiration
- Sketches, prototypes, or notes (optional)
If all you have is an idea and a clear vision, that’s enough to start a conversation.
Yes. We work closely with manufacturers and can support you through:
- DFM (design for manufacturing)
- Reviewing off tool factory samples
- Supplier communication
- Hand‑off packages for production
Some clients manage manufacturing themselves—we support whichever model suits your team.
You do.
Unless agreed otherwise, all designs, CAD files, and creative output generated during your project become your intellectual property once the agreed‑upon payments are completed. We believe you should own your product’s future.
Yes. While we’re not patent attorneys, we regularly support clients with:
- Patent‑ready drawings
- Developing and highlighting unique features worth protecting
- Working closely with your attorney to refine submissions
We ensure your design and innovation story is clearly communicated.
Industrial design focuses on appearance, usability, ergonomics, and user experience.
Engineering focuses on mechanics, materials, electronic systems, and feasibility.
We collaborate with engineering teams (yours or ours) from the beginning to create a product that looks great and functions reliably.
Not at all. Many clients come to us with sketches or early ideas.
As part of our process, we develop:
- Looks-like models
- Works-like models
- Complete system prototypes
We build the prototypes appropriate for your stage of development.
A great design partnership is based on:
- Transparent communication
- Shared design values
- Alignment on process and timeline
- A portfolio that reflects relevant experience
- A team you enjoy working with
We encourage you to speak with a few firms—including us—and choose the one that feels like the best long‑term partner.
Some patterns we see:
- Waiting too long to involve design
- Approaching with incomplete or unclear requirements
- Underestimating manufacturing challenges
- Viewing design as only “aesthetic”
- Not budgeting for multiple prototype cycles
We help guide you around these pitfalls from the start.
Your involvement is essential. We collaborate through:
- Scheduled check‑ins
- Milestone reviews
- Meetings as required
Your vision + our expertise = an exceptional product.
Absolutely. We often support clients with:
- High‑quality renderings
- Pitch‑deck visuals
- Prototypes for fundraising meetings
Strong design can significantly strengthen your pitch.
In our experience the most widely used grant for product development is the research and development tax incentive, we recommend starting here to see if your project qualifies. See business.gov.au – Research and Development Tax Incentive
business.gov.au also has a grants and program finder for more specific grants that may be available to you. See business.gov.au – Grants and Programs Finder