Framework, the company behind the innovative modular laptops, has set its sights beyond the realm of notebooks. CEO Nirav Patel reveals their aspiration to venture into additional product categories, hinting at a diverse portfolio in the future. Originally, Framework considered multiple viable ideas beyond laptops but strategically chose to focus on the notebook space first. With the success of their laptops, Patel believes they have laid the foundation to tackle a wider range of products.
Patel remains tight-lipped about the specifics of Framework’s upcoming products, offering only subtle clues. He suggests that they may tackle an equally challenging category or opt for something more modest and manageable, leveraging their existing infrastructure. The target audience, whether enthusiast gadget lovers or everyday consumers, also remains undisclosed, although Patel acknowledges that their marketing approach may adapt to reach a broader audience.
Framework’s commitment to repairability extends beyond their laptops. Patel emphasizes that their future products will also embody this principle, with each new product category accompanied by a long-term roadmap. The company’s funding rounds have played a crucial role in their growth, with the initial $9 million seed round supporting the original 13-inch laptop design and the $18 million Series A funding the 16-inch model.
Framework’s team structure is designed to adapt to their evolving product portfolio. While some teams, such as industrial designers, may scale back after a design is finalized, the laptop teams will continue to grow. Both the Framework Laptop 13 and 16 have ample room for future enhancements, including GPU upgrades for the 16-inch model.
Framework currently employs around 50 people and plans to expand to 60 by the end of 2023, with further growth in 2025. The company relies on partnerships to produce its hardware, including Compal for assembly lines. Clues about Framework’s future plans may lie in their expanding network of relationships, as hinted in their recent press release. Collaborations with startups in their investors’ portfolios and with Cooler Master, the designer of the thermal solution in the Framework Laptop 16, suggest potential joint ventures in the development of new products.
Additionally, Framework has announced an initiative to allow 100 community members to invest $10,000 each in the company. This move reinforces their commitment to community involvement and may provide insights into their future endeavors.
