Cadstrom Continuous AI Validation

Cadstrom is a Canadian electronics design software company founded in 2023 by Margot Blouin and Scott Bright. It targets the cost of PCB respins: schematic-level functional errors that design rule checks cannot catch often force boards to be rebuilt, adding weeks of delay and tens of thousands of dollars per respin.

Its platform provides continuous AI validation of schematics. The Sigma Engine combines AI that reads schematics and datasheets with expert-system rules based on physics and electronics, plus simulation. It checks voltage compatibility between interfacing parts, I2C, SPI and UART bus connections, logic polarity, component ratings and margins, and pin and signal assignments, and it works on incomplete designs so checks can be rerun at every revision. Each run produces a report with the evidence behind every finding. It supports Altium, OrCAD, Xpedition, KiCad and Fusion 360. Users include Texas Instruments, StarFish Medical and Lunar Energy.

• Interface checks: voltage compatibility between connected components.
• Bus validation: I2C, SPI and UART connections and logic polarity.
• Ratings and margins: component stress, ratings and pin assignment checks.
• Hybrid engine: AI datasheet reading plus expert rules and simulation.
• Evidence reports: each finding linked to its supporting evidence.
• ECAD support: Altium, OrCAD, Xpedition, KiCad and Fusion 360 designs.

A Vietnamese medical device maker can validate controller schematics before ordering prototypes. An electronics design service firm can attach evidence-backed validation reports to deliverables for foreign clients. An industrial IoT company can rerun checks automatically after every component substitution.

Teams catch schematic errors before boards reach the bench, avoiding respins that the company estimates cost more than 30,000 USD and over ten weeks each. Validation runs continuously from early drafts, not only at stage-gate reviews. Evidence-backed reports help reviewers verify findings quickly. SOC 2 compliance and no training on customer IP address confidentiality concerns.

Hardware programmes are under pressure to ship faster with fewer prototype cycles, and AI verification is moving into electronics the way automated testing transformed software. Medical, industrial and consumer device makers in Vietnam and Southeast Asia that design boards for export can reduce costly respins and protect delivery schedules with earlier validation.

Founded in 2023 by Margot Blouin (CEO) and Scott Bright (COO); the website carries a Made in Canada mark. In December 2024 it raised 6.8 million USD in seed funding led by Bison Ventures, with Innovation Endeavors and AI2 Incubator. SOC 2 compliant and externally audited.