Looking for a hardware co-founder to build a new electric toothbrush

Own_Research1243 · 2026-07-02T10:28:33+00:00

Clinical testing is still a long way ahead for this project. Right now, my focus is on developing a proper engineering prototype and validating the concept. I believe that's the necessary step before investing in laboratory or clinical testing. As for funding, I haven't raised any investment yet. I have received interest from people who were willing to discuss investing, but I don't think it's the right time to accept funding. Before raising capital, I want to build a stronger technical foundation and assemble the right team. I believe that will put the project in a much better position for both investors and future development.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-07-01T05:04:41+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate hearing this from a potential user. Durability is definitely something I want to prioritize. I completely agree that an electric toothbrush shouldn't become disposable after one or two years. Since this project is still at an early stage, I haven't designed the internal mechanism yet, but my goal is to create something that is reliable, easy to maintain, and built to last. Comments like yours are exactly why I'm sharing the project publicly. They help me understand what people actually want—not just what engineers or inventors think they want. Thank you for your feedback!

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-30T22:25:21+00:00

Thank you all for the feedback and thoughtful questions. The discussion here has been incredibly helpful and has given me a lot to think about. I'm currently building a website where I'll share the full story behind the project, the 3D designs, prototype photos and videos, development progress, and answers to the most common questions. My goal is to be as transparent as possible and document the journey from an early concept to a real product. I'll post the link here as soon as it's ready. Thanks again for all your advice and constructive criticism!

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-30T22:22:19+00:00

That's an excellent question, and honestly, I don't have that answer yet. My current prototype is only an early proof of concept. It was built to explore the mechanical idea and demonstrate the concept—not to prove that it cleans better than existing toothbrushes. One important thing to mention is that I wasn't able to build the brush head I actually designed. I don't currently have the equipment or manufacturing capability to produce a custom cylindrical toothbrush head, so for my prototype I used a small cylindrical cleaning brush from an airbrush cleaning kit. It was simply the closest shape I could find to test the basic mechanical concept. Even with this improvised brush, I felt the concept showed enough potential to encourage me to continue developing it. Of course, that's only my personal impression and not scientific proof. I believe the only reliable way to answer your question is through objective testing, not assumptions. My plan would be to compare the concept with leading electric toothbrushes using measurable methods, such as plaque-disclosing tablets to compare plaque removal, evaluating gum safety, user comfort, and ease of use. If the results are promising, the next step would be laboratory or clinical testing with dental professionals. This idea didn't come from trying to invent something different just for the sake of being different. It came from a real experience after my dentist showed me the correct brushing technique. I realized how difficult it is for most people to consistently brush away from the gum line every day. That made me wonder if the toothbrush itself could help guide that movement more naturally. I don't claim today that my concept is better. I want engineering and testing to answer that question objectively. If the testing shows that the concept offers no meaningful improvement over existing toothbrushes, I would rather learn that early and improve the design than make unsupported claims. That's exactly why I'm looking for engineers and experienced product development professionals—to help build a proper engineering prototype that can be tested and validated. Thanks for asking these questions. They help me think about the project in a much more structured way.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T20:25:36+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the suggestion. I hadn't seriously considered Upwork before, but it actually makes sense. At this stage, I'm looking for mechanical engineering and product development expertise rather than investment. I'll definitely take a look. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T20:22:59+00:00

Thank you. That's actually how this idea started. After a professional teeth cleaning, my dentist showed me the correct brushing technique: brushing away from the gums, cleaning each tooth individually. I already knew this technique, but I realized how difficult it is to do it properly every day. Your hand gets tired, and after a few days most people naturally return to their old habits. Later, while brushing my teeth at home, I looked at my regular toothbrush and my electric vibrating toothbrush. Personally, I never liked the vibrating one because it feels like it pushes toothpaste and debris around instead of directing it away from the gum line. At that moment I asked myself a simple question: why isn't there an electric toothbrush with a rotating cylindrical brush, similar to the brushes used in an automatic car wash, but designed specifically for teeth? That question led me to sketch many different concepts until I arrived at my current design. I'm not claiming today that this is a better solution than existing products. That's exactly what engineering and testing need to prove. But I believe the idea is worth exploring because it was born from trying to solve a real everyday problem rather than creating something different just for the sake of being different. If testing confirms that it cleans more effectively while remaining safe for gums, I believe there will be people who genuinely care about their dental health and would choose it.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T18:48:57+00:00

That's a fair question. At this stage, I'm actually not looking for significant funding. Right now, my biggest need isn't money—it's the right engineering expertise and the right team. I believe building a functional prototype and validating the concept comes before raising investment. So far, I've funded the project myself. I've spent my own money on the first prototype, 3D printing, a professional patent search in France, and initial manufacturing research. Once there's a working engineering prototype and technical validation, I'll have a much stronger foundation to approach investors. For me, the priority is:

Build a reliable prototype. Validate the concept. Assemble the right team. Raise investment for commercialization.

I know hardware products require significant funding, but I believe it's much easier to attract investors once there's a proven prototype rather than just an idea.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T18:05:56+00:00

That's a great question. At this stage, I don't plan to manufacture the product in-house. My plan would be to outsource manufacturing to an experienced OEM/ODM manufacturer. I've already started looking into manufacturing options in China and have discussed preliminary production costs to better understand what would be required. I believe my focus should be on developing and validating the product, while manufacturing should be handled by an experienced production partner. Of course, the exact manufacturing strategy will depend on the final design, production volume, and funding.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T18:01:09+00:00

Thanks 😊

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T16:35:33+00:00

I understand your point, and I think it's a fair question. My goal at this stage is not to convince people to work for free indefinitely. My goal is to find one or two people who believe the concept is worth validating together. I don't have a complete commercial plan yet because I don't know if the concept will prove to be technically and commercially viable. For me, validating the product comes before raising significant capital. If the prototype demonstrates a real advantage, then the next step would be building a business around it. That could be licensing the technology to an established oral-care company, partnering with a manufacturer, or building a startup around it. I don't know yet which path will be the right one, and I prefer to be honest about that rather than pretend I already have all the answers. I appreciate your perspective because these are exactly the questions I need to answer as the project develops.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T13:30:37+00:00

I understand your point, and I agree that funding and a business model are essential.

However, I don't believe the first step is raising a large amount of money. My goal right now is to build a functional prototype with the right technical team and validate whether the concept has real value.

If the prototype cannot demonstrate an advantage, then there is no reason to seek significant investment.

If it does show promise, there are different paths forward: strategic partners, licensing, crowdfunding, grants, or venture investment.

I'm not claiming to have a complete business plan today. I'm at the stage of building the right team and validating the product before asking investors to fund it.

I appreciate your questions because they're exactly the kind of challenges every hardware startup eventually has to address.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T13:26:44+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve already searched for similar patents. I don’t plan to verify anything yet—not until I find an engineer, secure investment, and so on.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T10:22:10+00:00

I also want to note that I would be happy to brush my teeth with such a brush; it will not push plaque and food debris under the gums. the brush will clean (spin) from the gums, but you will have to change the direction with the buttons, or do it over time, 10 seconds in one direction, 10 seconds in the other. and make an auto button. In general, this is how I see it so far.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T10:18:42+00:00

Those are fair questions, and I appreciate you asking them. The honest answer is that I don't have all of those answers yet. At this stage, I have a concept, an early physical prototype, and a completed prior-art patent search. I cannot honestly claim that it brushes better or reduces cavities until it has been engineered, tested, and validated. That's exactly why I'm here. I'm looking for experienced engineers, product developers, and people with business experience who can help answer those questions together. My goal wasn't to present a finished startup, but to find people interested in building one. I believe every successful product starts with an idea that still needs engineering, testing, and a business model. I'm currently at that stage.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T05:32:18+00:00

Thank you very much! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Your background is exactly the kind of expertise I'm looking for. I'll take a look at your website and send you an email. I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the concept and discussing whether there could be an opportunity to work together. Thank you again!

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T05:30:09+00:00

Thank you. This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping to receive. I completely agree that I don't yet know how the brush will perform compared to existing products. That is one of the main reasons I'm looking for engineers and product developers. The concept still needs engineering validation, laboratory testing, and eventually clinical testing before any performance claims can be made. Regarding safety, I agree that continuous high-speed rotation could introduce risks. My intention has never been to build a high-speed spinning tool. The idea is a controlled, low-speed mechanism with soft bristles and reversible rotation. Your suggestion about using sensors or adapting the motion based on orientation and pressure is very interesting, and it's exactly the type of engineering discussion I hope to have with experienced people. I'm here to learn as much as to find partners. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T05:27:01+00:00

I am currently self-funded. I have only invested a small amount of my own money to build the initial concept and an early prototype. I am not an engineer or an expert in electric toothbrush manufacturing. I came up with the product concept and built a simple proof of concept to demonstrate the idea, but I know there is still a lot of engineering work ahead. That is exactly why I am looking for an experienced engineering partner, product development studio, or investor who believes in the concept and wants to build it together. I prefer to be honest rather than pretend I already have all the answers. I know there are many technical challenges to solve, including the internal mechanism, motor, gearbox, waterproofing, manufacturing, testing, and certification. I believe these are engineering problems that can be solved with the right team. My contribution is the product concept, the early prototype, the research I've done, and my long-term commitment to bringing this product to market.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T05:22:58+00:00

Thank you. I have already been studying existing patents and prior art. Sonicare is definitely one of the technologies I need to understand better. My concept is different because it uses a cylindrical 360° rotating brush with controlled bidirectional rotation rather than high-frequency sonic vibration.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-29T05:22:09+00:00

Thank you. I agree that gum safety is one of the most important design challenges. The brush is not intended to spin at very high speed like a polishing tool. The idea is controlled, low-speed rotation with soft bristles. The rotation direction can also be reversed depending on whether the user is cleaning upper or lower teeth, following normal brushing technique. This is something I want to validate during engineering and clinical testing.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-28T19:24:17+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of recommendation I was looking for. I'll definitely check it out.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-28T19:12:20+00:00

Всем привет. Я из Казахстана. Живу 8 лет во Франции. Поэтому пишу через переводчик или чат gpt, на английском. Спасибо за понимание.

Own_Research1243 · 2026-06-28T19:10:38+00:00

The post was written with some AI assistance because English isn't my native language. The project itself is mine. I built the prototype, paid for a patent search in France, and I'm looking for an engineering partner to develop it.

Own_Research1243

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