Case Study
Stun Gun: A Girly Innovation
We partnered with a young woman entrepreneur who took it to market despite all hurdles her way.
Where It Began
It all started with Sydney, a student in an entrepreneurship program. Her idea was bold: a self-defense device designed by and for women. The market was already flooded with aggressive-looking stun guns—but Sydney wanted something different:
"Can protection feel empowering, not intimidating?"
Her concept fused three functions into one compact device:
- a high-intensity LED for visibility,
- a pepper-spray capsule, and
- a rechargeable stun system built for reliability.
Early Experiments
We began on a literal wooden benchboard, wiring prototypes by hand. When the first high-voltage arc crackled across the test leads, the lab fell silent—then laughter. It worked. It was dangerous. And it was fun.
With validation complete, we jumped into PCBA development—balancing Sydney's design vision with electrical safety and power-density limits.
Engineering the Impossible
The challenge was miniaturization.
- A heavy lithium-ion battery,
- high-voltage transformers,
- a zillion-lumen LED,
All had to live inside a palm-sized enclosure that felt secure in the hand.
Dozens of iterations later—and more than a few accidental zaps—we achieved a solid MVP: rough on the outside, perfect in the grip.
Design Meets Purpose
- Sydney's requirement wasn't just functional—it was psychological.
- The grip had to convey control and confidence, especially in stressful moments.
- Every curve, texture, and button was sculpted to fit a woman's hand naturally.
Testing & Validation
Before launch, we partnered with a certification lab to test voltage waveforms, safety tolerances, and thermal behavior. Each parameter cleared its mark. That first production-ready prototype wasn't pretty—but it worked flawlessly.
To Market and Beyond
Sydney went on to found Stunner Safety, manufacturing small-batch runs and selling her first units online—proving that a young founder with grit could bring real protection to market.
The best part? She's already preparing follow-up models with improved ergonomics and new colorways.
Takeaway
This project reminded us that courage and design go hand in hand.
From a rough schematic on wood to a polished, market-ready product, the Stun Gun story isn't about fear—it's about empowerment engineered into form.
Gallery
