Struggling to Find Manufacturers, 59-YO Serial Entrepreneur Launches Global Marketplace with 20,000 Manufacturers Listed on its Platform

In 2018, Prashant Singh, a successful Indian-origin entrepreneur based in the U.S., found himself travelling frequently to India to visit his ailing father. During one such journey, he received an urgent call from his manufacturing team, who were struggling to find a suitable manufacturer for their needs.

With nearly three decades of experience in the U.S. manufacturing industry, Prashant instinctively turned to online searches. Luckily, WiFi was available on the flight back then, allowing him to browse through multiple manufacturers and make calls in an attempt to find the right match. 

However, as he went through the tedious process of contacting potential partners one by one, a question struck him:

“Why isn’t there a dedicated platform where businesses can easily connect with manufacturers—just like consumers find products on e-commerce platforms?” recalled Prashant in an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia. 

That thought became the foundation of Finding MFG.

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Building the marketplace for manufacturers: 

Without wasting time, Prashant delved into researching how to create a digital marketplace for manufacturers. By early 2019, Finding MFG was officially incorporated, and development began.

"It took nearly two years to build the platform. We wanted a system that could house manufacturers globally, allowing businesses to search, filter, and connect based on specific needs," explained the 59-year-old serial entrepreneur. 

Unlike traditional marketplaces that take a commission on transactions, Finding MFG operates on a subscription-based model and also earns revenue through advertisements.

How Finding MFG Works: 

Finding MFG serves three key user groups:

1. For Businesses: If you have a product design—whether a complex PCB or a simple product idea on a handkerchief—you can search for manufacturers and designers based on categories like electronics, plastic, rubber, and metal.
2. For Manufacturers: They can list their services, showcase expertise, and receive direct inquiries from businesses.
3. For Design Engineers: The platform provides free access to a global community of engineers who can help refine product designs.

One of the platform’s standout features is its prioritization of local suppliers. 

"If you’re in Mumbai, it’ll first show manufacturers nearby before expanding the search globally. This ensures businesses find efficient, cost-effective options close to home," said the serial entrepreneur during the Startup Pedia interview. 

The manufacturer's marketplace offers a subscription model for product sellers and suppliers at $299 per year (approximately ₹25,000). Additionally,  the platform generates revenue through advertisements, ensuring long-term sustainability.

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From Engineer to Entrepreneur: 

The serial entrepreneur's journey to entrepreneurship began much earlier. He started his career as a service engineer with Wipro and other tech firms before transitioning to PCB designer. His expertise earned him an opportunity to work in the U.S. in 1996.

By 2003, the founder of Finding MFG decided to shift from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. "After working for years as an employee, I thought, Why not work for myself and create a bigger impact?" recalled the serial entrepreneur during a Startup Pedia interview. 

With his background in electronics engineering and PCB manufacturing, he launched A3 Electronics in 2003. Over the years, he grew the company into a $3 million enterprise before exiting in 2014 to become a consultant.

Scaling Finding MFG:

Having spent years as an entrepreneur, Prashant had the financial means to invest in this manufacturer's marketplace platform- FindingMFG. He funded this with an initial investment of $45,000 to $50,000.

Although the platform was ready by 2019, actual business traction began in 2021 during the pandemic. What started with just 10 registered manufacturers has now grown to over 20,000 manufacturers worldwide. Among them, 500 to 1,000 manufacturers are paid subscribers.

Currently, the highest number of registered manufacturers come from China, India, and the U.S. The platform categorizes manufacturers into electronics, plastic, rubber, and metal industries.

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Market Trends and Growth: 

As global manufacturing needs fluctuate, electronics, plastic manufacturing, and metal machining have emerged as the most in-demand sectors on the platform. "Rubber manufacturing sees the least demand, but electronics and PCB production are booming," emphasized the serial entrepreneur during the Startup Pedia interview. 

By 2023, Finding MFG had achieved ₹2.5 crore in revenue, and the company has ambitious plans for the future.

The Road Ahead: 

Prashant envisions expanding Finding MFG into a dominant global platform, onboarding more manufacturers, and introducing new features to enhance user experience. The company aims to grow its user base to over 50,000 manufacturers in the next two years.

"FindingMFG's vision is to build the largest network of manufacturers globally, helping businesses not only find suppliers but also foster innovation and collaboration. Our goal is to change how the world manufactures and create a more connected, efficient, and transparent global supply chain," concluded Prashant Singh, founder of FindingMFG, in the end of Startup Pedia interview.

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