What FirstBuild is and who can use it

FirstBuild is a digital manufacturing community owned by GE Appliances where members design, prototype, and produce small appliances and kitchen gadgets. You can join as an individual maker, submit your own product ideas, vote on which community designs should move to production, or buy finished products that the community has already built. There is no membership fee to browse or vote, though some features require a paid account.

The platform connects three groups: makers who design products, the FirstBuild community who votes on which designs to fund, and manufacturers who produce the winning designs. If your design wins community support, FirstBuild handles the manufacturing and you receive royalties on sales. If you want to make something yourself rather than submit it for production, you can use FirstBuild's resources and network to source parts, find collaborators, and learn manufacturing basics.

FirstBuild is open to anyone over 18 in most countries where GE Appliances operates. You do not need prior design or engineering experience to participate, though the platform is most useful if you have a specific product idea or want to learn how consumer products move from concept to store shelf.

Key Takeaways

  • FirstBuild lets you submit product designs to a community vote, and winning designs are manufactured and sold with royalties paid to the designer.
  • You can browse and vote on other makers' designs for free, but submitting your own design or accessing advanced tools requires a paid membership.
  • The platform provides access to manufacturing partners, supply chain guidance, and production support rather than a physical workshop space.
  • Royalty rates and production timelines vary by product category and depend on manufacturing complexity and market demand.
  • FirstBuild is owned by GE Appliances and focuses on kitchen and small appliance products, not general-purpose making or 3D printing.

How to submit a design and move it toward production

To submit a product idea, you create a FirstBuild account and fill out a design submission form describing your product, its intended use, and why you think the community would want it. You include sketches, photos, or renderings—these do not need to be professional; many successful submissions start with hand drawings or straightforward digital mockups. FirstBuild's team reviews submissions for safety, feasibility, and fit with the platform's focus on kitchen and small appliances.

Once your design is posted, the FirstBuild community votes on it over a set period. Designs that reach a funding threshold move into the next phase, where FirstBuild's engineers and manufacturers assess production costs, refine the design, and set a retail price. If the design clears that stage, FirstBuild launches a pre-order campaign. When enough people pre-order to justify manufacturing, production begins. The timeline from submission to first units shipping typically ranges from six months to over a year, depending on design complexity and tooling requirements.

Throughout this process, you remain the designer and receive royalties on each unit sold. Royalty percentages are not fixed and depend on the product's production cost, retail price, and sales volume. FirstBuild handles manufacturing, fulfillment, customer service, and returns; you do not manage any of those tasks.

Membership tiers and what each includes

FirstBuild offers a free account that lets you browse all designs, vote on which products should be made, and comment on other makers' work. You can also purchase finished products that have already been manufactured. This tier does not let you submit your own designs.

Paid membership tiers unlock design submission, access to FirstBuild's design tools and templates, and priority support from the team. Membership costs vary depending on the tier and are typically charged monthly or annually. Higher tiers may include additional features like early access to new manufacturing partners, invitations to FirstBuild events, or discounts on parts and materials from partner suppliers. Check FirstBuild's website directly for current pricing, as rates change and may differ by region.

Some makers use FirstBuild's community and resources without submitting designs for production—they may be learning product design, networking with other makers, or exploring whether an idea has market interest before investing time in a full submission.

What FirstBuild provides versus what you provide

FirstBuild provides the manufacturing network, supply chain management, quality control, and distribution. They handle tooling costs, production runs, packaging, shipping to retailers or direct to customers, and customer service for products that go into production. They also provide design feedback, market research data, and guidance on which features or price points are most likely to succeed.

You provide the original idea, initial design concept, and iteration based on community feedback and FirstBuild's engineering team. You are expected to be responsive during the design refinement phase and to participate in marketing your product once it launches—this might include social media posts, interviews, or appearances at maker events. You do not need to fund any part of production or tooling; FirstBuild and its manufacturing partners cover those costs.

If your design does not reach the community funding threshold or does not pass FirstBuild's feasibility review, you retain ownership of your design and can pursue it independently, though FirstBuild's terms of service specify what you can and cannot do with designs you have submitted to the platform.

How FirstBuild differs from other maker platforms and spaces

FirstBuild is not a physical makerspace with tools, equipment, or workshop access. It is a digital platform focused specifically on consumer product design and manufacturing. If you need access to 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, or welding equipment, you would use a local makerspace instead. FirstBuild is for people who have a product idea and want to move it toward commercial production, not for people who want to build one-off projects or learn hands-on fabrication skills.

Unlike crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, FirstBuild does not require you to run a campaign or handle pre-orders yourself. FirstBuild manages the entire path from design to retail. You also do not need to have a working prototype before submitting; many successful FirstBuild products started as sketches or CAD drawings.

FirstBuild is also narrower in scope than general maker platforms. It focuses on kitchen appliances, cooking tools, and small household products—categories where GE Appliances has manufacturing informed and retail relationships. If your idea is for furniture, clothing, electronics, or industrial equipment, FirstBuild is not the right platform.

Royalties, timelines, and what happens if your product sells

Royalty rates on FirstBuild products are not published as a fixed percentage. Instead, they are negotiated based on the product's production cost, retail price, and sales forecast. A product that costs $15 to manufacture and retails for $50 will have a different royalty structure than one that costs $40 to make and retails for $60. FirstBuild's team discusses royalty terms with you before you commit to moving forward with production.

Royalties are typically paid quarterly or semi-annually once the product is in retail or being sold directly. Payment is made to the account you registered with FirstBuild. If a product sells well, you may earn royalties for years; if it sells slowly or is discontinued, royalties stop. FirstBuild does not may provide minimum sales or minimum royalty payments.

The timeline from design submission to first sale is usually 12 to 18 months for a straightforward product, though it can be shorter for straightforward designs or longer for products requiring new tooling or regulatory approval. Kitchen appliances sometimes require testing or certification before they can be sold, which adds time. FirstBuild communicates timelines clearly before you move into production, but delays can happen due to supply chain issues, manufacturing problems, or changes in market demand.

Getting feedback and iterating before production

The FirstBuild community provides feedback on your design through comments and votes. This feedback is often practical—people point out features they would want, price points they would pay, or problems they see with the design as described. You can use this feedback to refine your concept before FirstBuild's engineering team formally reviews it.

Once FirstBuild's team takes your design into the feasibility phase, they conduct more detailed reviews. Engineers assess manufacturability, cost, safety, and compliance with regulations. They may suggest design changes to reduce cost, improve durability, or simplify production. You work with FirstBuild's team on these iterations; the goal is to create a product that is both manufacturable and true to your original vision.

This iterative process is one of FirstBuild's main advantages over trying to manufacture a product independently. You get professional feedback and access to manufacturing informed before you have spent money on tooling or production. If FirstBuild's team identifies a fatal flaw—a design that cannot be made safely or affordably—you learn that before committing resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a working prototype to submit a design to FirstBuild?

No. Many successful FirstBuild submissions are sketches, renderings, or written descriptions. FirstBuild's team and community can evaluate the concept without a physical prototype. However, the clearer your description and the better your visuals, the more useful feedback you will receive from the community.

What happens if my design is submitted but does not reach the funding threshold?

Your design remains your property. FirstBuild's terms specify what you can do with it afterward, but you are not obligated to keep it on the platform or to pursue it further. Some makers resubmit refined versions of rejected designs; others move on to new ideas.

Can I manufacture and sell my FirstBuild design independently if it does not get produced through the platform?

This depends on FirstBuild's terms of service for submitted designs. Generally, you retain ownership, but there may be restrictions on how you can use the design or sell it if you have submitted it to FirstBuild. Review the terms before submitting if this is important to you.

How much can I expect to earn in royalties if my product is produced?

Royalty rates vary widely and depend on production cost, retail price, and sales volume. FirstBuild negotiates rates individually with designers. There is no may provide minimum, and royalties depend entirely on how many units sell. Ask FirstBuild's team for examples from similar products in your category.

Is FirstBuild available outside the United States?

FirstBuild operates in multiple countries where GE Appliances has manufacturing and retail partnerships, but not everywhere. Check the FirstBuild website to see if your country is supported, as availability and terms may differ by region.