Hans Stam
Hardware & Supply Chain Consultant · Berlin

I help hardware founders get from prototype to mass production — and get unstuck when things go wrong.

Every hardware project hits a wall. I identify the roadblock and help you break through it — whether you're in EVT, DVT, PVT, or staring down a mass production problem you didn't see coming.

Get in touch See how I work →
150+
Cities across Europe where Voi hardware operates
EVT→MP
Full hardware lifecycle from prototype to mass production
China
Deep supplier relationships across Shenzhen, Guangdong & Jiangsu
Book
Author of The Hardest Hardware Lessons — 45 copies sold in week one

Two ways to work together.

Service 01
Get Unstuck

Your hardware project has hit a wall. I come in, identify the specific roadblock, and help you break through it. One focused engagement, one clear outcome.

  • Prototype not performing as expected
  • Stuck in the DFM phase
  • Mass production yield problems
  • Supply chain or sourcing crisis
  • Factory relationship breaking down
Service 02
Prototype to Mass Production

You need an experienced partner alongside you for the full journey — from early prototype through EVT, DVT, PVT, and into mass production.

  • Development gate reviews (EVT, DVT, PVT)
  • DFM and manufacturing readiness
  • China supplier identification and qualification
  • Supply chain risk management
  • Mass production ramp support
⚠️
Before our engagement

Need an FMEA, project charter, or build timeline?

DFM Insights generates all three from your PRD and BOM in 48 hours — giving us a structured starting point. Consultants charge €8,000 for these documents. We charge €499.

Generate your documents at dfminsights.com →

Every way to work with me.

📖
The Hardest Hardware Lessons — Book
Everything nobody tells you about building a physical product. PDF/ebook + paperback · €29.
€29 →
🎓
China Sourcing Masterclass — Online Course
18 years of China sourcing experience in one course. How to find, evaluate, negotiate, and manage Chinese factories.
€29 →
⚠️
DFM Insights — FMEA, Charter & Timeline
AI generates your FMEA report, project charter, and build timeline from your PRD and BOM. Hans reviews and signs off.
From €499 →
🏭
Factory Truth — China Sourcing Concierge
Done-for-you factory sourcing. Vetted shortlist of 3–5 suppliers with warm WeChat introductions. Flat fee.
€2,000 →
🔧
Consulting — Get Unstuck or Prototype to MP
One-on-one hardware advisory. Identify your roadblock and break through it, or partner for the full EVT→MP journey.
Enquire →

Who I am.

I'm a hardware practitioner based in Berlin with years of experience across the full product lifecycle — from first prototype through EVT, DVT, and PVT to mass production and end-of-life. I currently work as Category Manager in Supply Chain & Hardware at Voi Technology, one of Europe's leading shared micromobility operators, where I manage international supplier sourcing and hardware lifecycle across 150+ cities.

I've watched hardware projects stall at every phase. Sometimes it's a technical problem. More often it's a process problem — a gate that wasn't held honestly, a DFM issue nobody caught early enough, a supplier relationship that isn't working. I'm good at identifying exactly where a project is stuck and what it will take to move it forward.

I have deep experience with Chinese manufacturing partners across Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, and attend the Canton Fair annually. I know what good manufacturing relationships look like, what bad ones cost, and how to tell the difference before you've committed a purchase order.

I wrote The Hardest Hardware Lessons because I watched the same expensive mistakes repeat across hardware teams, year after year — and nobody had written them down. The book sold 45 copies in its first week through word of mouth alone.

I take on a small number of advisory engagements where I can make a genuine difference. If your company is navigating hardware development or China sourcing and needs an experienced outside perspective, I'd like to hear from you.

The Hardest Hardware Lessons.

Everything nobody tells you about building a physical product.

Every phase of a hardware product's life — from first prototype to end-of-life — with the specific mistakes named, the financial costs quantified, and the decision frameworks made explicit.

Get the book → Follow the Substack

Let's talk about what's blocking you.

I take on a small number of engagements at a time. If your hardware project is stuck — or you want an experienced partner for the prototype to mass production journey — reach out directly.

[email protected]