In a groundbreaking move aimed at transforming the hardware procurement landscape, engineer brothers Emir and Haris Sahmanovic have launched Forge, a startup dedicated to modernizing the process of acquiring parts for complex engineering projects. Their innovative approach has recently garnered significant attention, culminating in a $2.1 million seed funding round led by Google’s Gradient Ventures, with additional support from Y Combinator and various angel investors.
Tackling the Procurement Problem
The idea for Forge emerged from Emir Sahmanovic’s firsthand experiences as a mechanical engineer at leading defense and space companies such as L3Harris, Blue Origin, and Stoke Space. Throughout his career, Emir encountered repeated frustrations with the inefficiencies and complexities inherent in the hardware procurement process.
“Hardware companies are at the cutting edge of technology, yet they are held back by outdated procurement tools,” Emir explained. “The current software tools create inefficiencies that hamper progress and innovation.”
Identifying the critical pain points, Emir teamed up with his brother Haris, a former software engineer at Meta, to establish Forge in May 2023. The company aims to simplify and streamline the procurement process for hardware firms through advanced software solutions.
Innovating the Procurement Process
Forge addresses the convoluted nature of traditional hardware procurement, which often involves extensive manual processes, fragmented communication, and a lack of transparency. Engineers typically face hurdles in ordering parts, tracking approvals, and managing delivery schedules. This lack of coordination can result in costly delays and miscommunications.
According to Emir, large firms particularly suffer from a “black box” procurement system where engineers are disconnected from the procurement process, leading to inefficiencies and wasted resources. This is exemplified by scenarios where expedited shipping is paid for parts that eventually face delays due to misaligned schedules within the team.
Forge’s platform leverages AI to integrate and analyze supplier responses from various formats—be it spreadsheets, text emails, or PDFs. This integration allows for real-time updates and visibility across the procurement pipeline without requiring suppliers to adopt new systems, a common stumbling block in previous standardization efforts.
Tailored Solutions for Diverse Needs
Forge’s software is designed with flexibility in mind, enabling engineers to create custom workflows suited to their company’s specific requirements. The platform’s functionalities extend beyond simple order tracking to include intake request management, purchasing workflows, quote comparison, and automated onboarding and performance tracking of suppliers.
This holistic approach not only saves time and money but also enhances the overall efficiency of the supply chain and procurement teams. As a result, engineers can focus more on innovation and less on administrative tasks.
Growing Forward
With paying customers already on board, Forge plans to utilize its seed funding to refine its product and expand its team. The brothers’ vision for Forge is to become the go-to platform for hardware procurement, ensuring that companies of all sizes can benefit from improved efficiency and transparency.
Emir highlighted the significance of their current progress, stating, “Forge is set to eliminate the inefficiencies that have long plagued the hardware industry. Our goal is to bring about a new era of streamlined, efficient procurement processes.”
A Perspective on Forge’s Impact
From my point of view, Forge represents a significant leap forward in addressing long-standing issues within the hardware industry. The blend of Emir’s engineering insights and Haris’s software expertise positions Forge uniquely to tackle these challenges effectively.
The major advantage of Forge is its non-reliance on supplier adoption, which removes a significant barrier to entry and ensures seamless integration within existing workflows. This approach could set a new standard in hardware procurement, encouraging more companies to adopt similar strategies.
However, Forge’s success will depend on its ability to continuously adapt and cater to the evolving needs of its users. As the company scales, maintaining the quality and flexibility of its offerings will be crucial.
In conclusion, Forge is poised to transform the hardware procurement landscape, bringing much-needed modernization to an industry critical to technological advancement. As they continue to innovate and expand, the Sahmanovic brothers’ vision for a more efficient and transparent procurement process is likely to have a lasting impact on the engineering sector.
