Alternate to CArbide

I am no expert (been there, watched, listened, did learn something) but I do know that the solutions are dependant of the type of die processes you are using.
Punching, forming or a combination?

Cutting and punching can be quickly set up on computerized cutting systems - laser, plasma, water stream, etc. As for forming there are flexible robot systems that could be implemented for very low to medium production levels.

The solutions are capital intensive but overall cost savings should be fairly easy to calculate with shortened lead times and lower consumables use over the amortization period of the equipment.

The engineers here should be able to give some more insight to a solution based on some more details of the process and materials involved.

Machine the "die" out of tool steel and heat treat it to require hardness. It won't last as long as carbide but should last long enough for prototyping.

Pineapple

The tool steel we used for that sort of thing was D-2, offered pretty good wear resistance.

There were 2 temper temperatures that would give our desired hardness (~62Rc), i preferred the higher because the result was more stable (less retained austenite)

Use a controlled atmosphere to limit surface decarburisation

Have manufactured very short runs of stainless steel products, mainly 409,304 & 316 and have used plain ordainary mild steel for draw dies with 1.5 X mat thickness corner rad & 4 x mat draw rad ... the trick is to use filled drawing oil ... which I purchase from fuchs ... thick as honey ...have made longer running draw dies from mild steel case hardened which gives a very hard slippery skin ... usally for proper dies we use the recommended tool steels. In 409 we would get up to a 1000 usable draws from soft mild steel and mild steel hardened 10000.