Lessons from the foundry
The principles of how we've built Forge
A foundry is a place for creating things—raw materials are shaped into something useful and enduring. There is no alchemy here, no magic shortcuts. What works is a deliberate, straightforward process that anyone can follow, as long as they have the desire to see it through. We believe the parallels to building a successful software company provide a compelling metaphor for how to approach the beautiful chaos of early-stage creation.
1. Patternmaking: shaping the idea
Every creation starts with a vision, a pattern that provides structure and clarity. In the foundry, this means designing the template that will guide the rest of the process. In a startup, this is defining your purpose:
Who is your product for? What problem are you solving for them? Why does this solution matter?
Patternmaking is about stripping away noise and focusing on the essentials. Without a clear template, the final product lacks direction, no matter how innovative the idea.
2. Creating the mold: defining the framework
We often like to believe that our challenges are unique, that we require bold new ways of doing the same work. But even the most groundbreaking software companies have to tackle the same foundational questions:
Who is the user?
What is their pain point?
How will we solve it, practically and effectively?
In the foundry, the mold takes the vision from the abstract to the tangible. For startups, this means creating a framework for execution: user personas, problem statements, and product roadmaps. The mold ensures consistency and clarity as you move forward.
3. Gathering materials: preparing for execution
Once the mold is ready, the focus shifts to sourcing the materials. In software, this step is driven by research and data:
Market research: What does the industry landscape look like?
Competitive analysis: What gaps exist in the market?
User interviews: What do your users need most?
Just as the quality of materials determines the strength of the final product in the foundry, the depth of your research shapes the foundation of your software. The scientific process—test, validate, refine—takes over here, leaving no assumption unchallenged.
4. Adding materials to the mold: building the product
With the materials gathered, it’s time to combine them with precision and care. In the foundry, this involves pouring molten metal into the mold. In software, it means using research to drive decisions:
Prioritize work items: Which features deliver the most value to your users?
Inform design: What data supports your UI/UX choices?
Guide development: How can your code best reflect the user’s needs?
This stage is about creating alignment—between teams, tools, and the product itself. The market, industry, and user research all inform how the product takes shape, ensuring that the end result addresses the needs identified earlier.
5. Processing the final product
The final step in the foundry is processing—ensuring the product meets the intended specifications. In software, this is where iteration and refinement happen. Testing, feedback loops, and continuous improvement transform the raw output into something polished and ready for use.
Usability testing: Does the product solve the user’s problem effectively?
Feedback incorporation: What can be improved?
Scalability checks: Is the product ready for broader deployment?
Processing is not the end of the journey—it’s the start of continuous evolution.
Reflecting on the Foundry Mindset
Foundry work is demanding. It requires precision, attention to detail, and craftsmanship under intense conditions. It’s not unlike the work of an early-stage software company, where every decision carries weight, and every effort builds toward something meaningful.
The rewards, however, are immense. A foundry transforms raw ideas into lasting impact, and the same is true for startups. By embracing this structured, methodical approach, you can turn your vision into a product that resonates with users, withstands challenges, and truly delivers value.
Foundries are not known for hype, egos, and bold promises. This humble, curious, and intentional focus reminds us that while ideas might grab the headlines, execution is where real success lies. Whether you’re shaping molten metal or building software, the process is everything. Focus on your patterns, create your molds, gather your materials, and execute with care. The rest will follow.
If you’re looking for early access, drop your name here: https://cms.helensfoundry.com/forge-beta
