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From Functional to Exceptional: How SPARK helped GridPoint design a product they’re proud of
The challenge
GridPoint, a climate-tech company specializing in energy management, helps enterprise clients like Panda Express and Chipotle optimize energy use in their buildings. Their smart thermostats and temperature sensors feed data into a dashboard, allowing businesses to reduce energy waste and save money.
As the company expanded, GridPoint wanted to develop a new commercial gateway hardware product and thermostat. But past experiences with custom circuit boards and contract manufacturers had led to mixed results. Their previous approach, where manufacturers tried to piece together solutions based on rough sketches, had resulted in a product they weren’t fully proud of.
They needed a strong industrial and mechanical design process—one that would streamline manufacturing, improve aesthetics, and create a cohesive visual brand language for their hardware.
Our approach
SPARK took GridPoint through a Definition and Concept phase, ensuring the new design was not only functional and manufacturable but also aligned with their long-term product vision.
Our process included:
Defining the product environment: Understanding the real-world conditions the gateway hardware would need to withstand
Clarifying design intent: Making sure GridPoint’s goals were captured and translated into industrial design choices
Step-by-step guidance: Walking GridPoint through the design and manufacturing process, creating clear, standalone project briefs to align all stakeholders
The solution
SPARK helped GridPoint develop a design they could be truly proud of—one that met both functional and aesthetic standards while being optimized for manufacturing.
By guiding them through a structured, thoughtful design process, SPARK helped GridPoint:
Avoid the frustrating back-and-forth with manufacturers that had plagued past projects
Create a product that integrates better with their energy management ecosystem
Ensure a high-quality final design that meets the expectations of enterprise clients
The impact
GridPoint is now deploying the new units in the field, starting with a few hundred per month
Instead of struggling with design uncertainties, they now have a streamlined, repeatable approach for future hardware development
The company has gained internal confidence in its product design process, ensuring better collaboration between engineering, design, and manufacturing moving forward
GridPoint is still tapping SPARK for ongoing engineering and manufacturing expertise and support as they switch manufacturers
“It gives me real confidence knowing SPARK is there. They make it easy for us to keep momentum, even when our team is pulled in other directions. They jump in quickly, understand exactly what needs to be done, and keep things moving forward. It’s been great having a partner we can rely on.”
— Greg Morehead, VP of Hardware Engineering, GridPoint