From Concept to Production in 90 Days: How Post-Series C Companies Ship Standalone Products Without Disrupting Their Core

For post-series C companies with large R&D organizations, internal bureaucracy can often slow down innovation and make it difficult to ship standalone products outside their core business. I’ve seen this firsthand while working with clients who struggle to navigate the complexities of compliance, security reviews, and committee-driven decisions.

As a seasoned technical leader with over 20 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of co-founding and leading teams at various startups, including Caaresys, an automotive company acquired by Harman/Samsung in 2022. In my role as VP R&D, we successfully developed a radar-based sensor for in-cabin monitoring of passenger vital signs, working closely with large Tier 1 companies. This experience taught me the importance of agility and speed in product development.

While leading teams at various startups, I’ve learned that shipping standalone products requires a unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and innovation. In this article, we’ll explore a 13-week playbook for setting up and running standalone product teams at startup speed, with enterprise-grade security and quality. We’ll cover team setup, tech stack selection, and launch strategies to help post-series C companies ship their products quickly and efficiently.

Breaking Down Silos: Setting Up Standalone Product Teams

The first step in shipping standalone products is to break down silos within the organization. This involves setting up a dedicated team with a clear mandate, goals, and objectives. The team should be responsible for developing and launching the product, working closely with stakeholders from various departments.

When I was leading the R&D team at Caaresys, we adopted an Agile approach to product development. This allowed us to work in short sprints, prioritize features based on customer feedback, and iterate quickly. By breaking down silos, we were able to develop a high-quality product that met the needs of our customers.

Here are some key steps to follow when setting up standalone product teams:

  • Define clear goals and objectives: The team should have a clear understanding of what they’re trying to achieve, including market size, target audience, and revenue projections.
  • Establish a cross-functional team: Bring together experts from various departments, including product management, engineering, design, and marketing.
  • Define a governance model: Establish a governance framework that outlines decision-making processes, communication channels, and escalation procedures.
  • Set up agile methodologies: Adopt Agile practices such as Scrum or Kanban to facilitate collaboration, prioritize features, and iterate quickly.

 

Selecting the Right Tech Stack: A Guide for Post-Series C Companies

The next step in shipping standalone products is to select a tech stack that meets the needs of your product. This involves evaluating various options based on factors such as scalability, security, and integration with existing systems.

When I was working at Cyren, a web security company, we developed a flagship product that required a high level of security and scalability. We chose to use a combination of AWS, Docker, and Kubernetes to ensure our product met the needs of our customers.

Here are some key considerations when selecting a tech stack:

  • Scalability: Choose technologies that can scale with your product’s growth.
  • Security: Select technologies that meet enterprise-grade security standards, including data encryption and access controls.
  • Integration: Ensure the tech stack integrates seamlessly with existing systems and processes.
  • Cost: Consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) when selecting a tech stack.

 

Launch Strategies: Bringing Your Product to Market Quickly and Efficiently

The final step in shipping standalone products is to develop a launch strategy that brings your product to market quickly and efficiently. This involves creating a go-to-market plan, establishing a marketing budget, and executing a product launch.

When I was working at Sunbit, a financial services company, we developed a mobile payment splitting app from scratch for a small startup. We worked closely with the client to develop a go-to-market strategy that included social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and paid advertising.

Here are some key considerations when developing a launch strategy:

  • Create a go-to-market plan: Outline your marketing goals, target audience, and product positioning.
  • Establish a marketing budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on marketing and advertising.
  • Execute a product launch: Plan and execute a product launch that includes social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and paid advertising.

 

Conclusion: Shipping Standalone Products Without Disrupting Your Core Business

Shipping standalone products requires a unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and innovation. By breaking down silos within your organization, selecting the right tech stack, and developing a launch strategy, you can ship your products quickly and efficiently.

I hope this article has provided valuable insights into shipping standalone products outside your core R&D department. If you’re facing similar challenges or have questions about setting up standalone product teams, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’ve helped teams ship from zero to production in exactly this timeframe.