We build and own next-gen hardware companies designed for profitability
Sailfish Labs originates, launches, and grows standalone hardware companies through our custom operating system, venture studio, shared infrastructure, and experienced teams. We selectively partner with founders and aligned capital to move faster, reduce risk, and build without the constraints of traditional VC funding.
Building companies not concepts
Each venture is built around an innovation and an unmet need and becomes a standalone company supported by the Sailfish operating system, shared infrastructure, and dedicated leadership. Every company strengthens the system behind the next one.
Medical Diagnostics
Clinician-used pepsin activity evidence for faster reflux evaluation.
Automotive
Premium EV accessories built for fit, finish, and function.
Sporting Goods
Adjustable golf hardware and AI fitting, converged into one platform.
Consumer Pet Care
Daily dog dental care, made simpler and cleaner.
What's next?
The same engine is built to keep producing new physical product companies.
A repeatable system for building companies
Originate
We identify innovations and unmet needs with the potential to support a standalone company.
De-risk
We test the market, technology, regulatory path, supply chain, and economics before significant capital goes in.
Build on the system
Each venture gains access to proven development systems, shared infrastructure, manufacturing resources, and specialist expertise.
Form the company
We establish a standalone business with clean ownership, dedicated leadership, and the resources needed to grow.
Own and grow
We build for long-term profitability while remaining open to strategic licensing, partnerships, or exits.
A better foundation for ventures
Hardware startups often spend years building the core capabilities. Sailfish gives every venture a proven operating foundation while integrating experienced leadership and infrastructure.
Infrastructure from day one
Development systems, prototyping, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and launch resources support every venture.
Experience that compounds
Knowledge gained across companies strengthens the system and helps us avoid repeating mistakes.
Risk before capital
We test the market, technology, regulatory path, supply chain, and economics before significant investment.
Capital aligned by venture
Capital is organized around specific companies, defined opportunities, and clear milestones.
Invest in Sailfish-built ventures
Sailfish Founders is the accredited investor access point to get in on select internally built startups with dedicated leadership and accelerated business models. Own a piece of a startup.
- ✓Select company access.Review opportunities in specific Sailfish-built portfolio companies when an offering is available.
- ✓Invest directly.Ownership, if offered, is through the applicable operating company, not a passive pooled promise.
- ✓Clean operating model.Separate records, clean books, transparent materials, and clear ownership from the beginning.
Led by a product-development expert and serial founder
Rich Thompson
Rich Thompson
Rich has more than 27 years of experience turning product ideas into market-ready products and companies. He has helped launch more than 25 products for organizations ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies, serving in roles including director, CTO, president, cofounder, and CEO.
He holds more than 24 US patents across medical devices, consumer products, automotive accessories, and sporting goods. His experience spans design, engineering, manufacturing, operations, commercialization, team building, and company creation.
Rich founded Sailfish Labs to build capital-efficient hardware companies from the inside out, combining a repeatable operating system, shared infrastructure, manufacturing access, AI enabled workflows, aligned capital, and dedicated leadership.