It is possible. I work for a high tech manufacturing company and our minimum bid for work (especially if it's prototyping that could lead to either an ODM/JDM

It is possible. I work for a high tech manufacturing company and our minimum bid for work (especially if it's prototyping that could lead to either an ODM/JDM relationship or a more significant mass manufacturing contract) is only a couple thousand dollars. There isn't an Alibaba-type marketplace, but that doesn't mean there aren't a ton of options for hobbyists, startups, universities, or anyone else who just want to build a few of something... and do it in the US/Canada/Western Europe.