Name of the Organization: Root3 Labs
Industry: Medical Equipment Manufacturing
CEO/Founder: Chad Schneider
1) How has MTIP impacted your company or ability to hire interns?
MTIP has been a great resource for our internship program. We take on a cohort of interns each summer across a wide range of engineering disciplines, and thanks to MTIP funding, we’ve been able to add an additional 1-2 interns!
2) What inspired the founder to start the company?
Chad founded the company to work on fun projects with smart people. He’s always focused on finding practical solutions to complex problems and implementing those solutions quickly. That’s why we have an epic prototyping workshop with a wide array of tools for building all kinds of parts, prototypes, and devices.
3) What problem is the company solving, or what service or feature is the company providing?
We are a device engineering and product development consulting firm. We specialize in applied research, rapid prototyping, and design-for-manufacture for the medical and defense industries.
4) Can you share a major milestone or success that has had a significant impact on your company’s growth?
Since the company was founded over 12 years ago, Chad has been responsible for all of our sales & marketing efforts. Last year, we hired a Marketing Coordinator that’s really stepped up the quality and breadth of our content. And, we just recently hired a Director of Business Development to help expand our reach to bring in new customers.
5) What is your company aiming to achieve in the next 5 to 10 years?
Over the last 10 years, we’ve been steadily growing our staff to cover all design disciplines and to help us build out an epic prototyping workshop. Having accomplished those goals, over the next 5-10 years, we’d like to expand our staff to increase our capacity across disciplines while improving our operational processes.
6) What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a company in your industry?
For anyone considering starting their engineering consulting firm, first start by gaining the experience needed to be an expert in the field as well as learn the business of consulting. Surround yourself with people smarter than you that you enjoy working with. Get good at sales, business development, networking, and customer service.