The electronics supply chain has never been more volatile — and the companies that ignore AI risk getting left behind entirely. In this episode of the Ctrl+Listen Podcast, host James sits down with Matthew Haber (CEO) and Phillip Gulley (CSO), co-founders of Cofactr, for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is fundamentally reshaping hardware procurement, component sourcing, and supply chain management. From their unexpected origin story — building tours for Coachella acts and escape rooms for The Walking Dead — to solving year-long lead times for autonomous vehicle pioneer Zoox, Matt and Phil reveal how frustration with electronics supply chain chaos led them to build Cofactr from the ground up.Cofactr is now transforming how hardware teams go from bill of materials to kitted components delivered on schedule — with a free platform tier that removes friction for manufacturers of all sizes. Tune in to hear how AI handles everything from scrubbing supplier quotes to warehouse receiving verification, why 5 procurement professionals at Cofactr can do the work of 50, and why supply chain volatility isn't going away anytime soon. Whether you're a startup engineer or a Fortune 10 procurement manager, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating today's unpredictable electronics market.Resources from this Episode:

Connect with MatthewConnect with PhillipLearn more about CofactrBrowse Octopart for Parts & Tech News

Discover how Partsimony is transforming the manufacturing landscape by bridging the critical gap between engineering and supply chain management. In this compelling conversation, CEO Rich Mokuolu shares how their AI-powered software optimizes supply chain structures directly from design files, enabling companies to scale production more effectively in an era of tariffs, regional conflicts, and reshoring initiatives. Rich discusses the fundamental disconnect that has long plagued the industry—where supply chain managers negotiate pricing while engineers see opportunities for design optimization that could dramatically improve yield, pricing, and lead times. He explains how Partsimony's technology analyzes designs to unlock new supply chain possibilities, whether that means finding local Brooklyn manufacturers to retool for ventilator production or identifying emerging manufacturing hubs in Vietnam, India, and Mexico. Resources from this Episode:

- Connect with Rich on LinkedIn- Check out Partsimony- Browse Partsimony's Blog- Browse Octopart for Parts & Tech News#SupplyChain #Manufacturing #AI

Firmware and embedded engineers face a unique challenge: bridging the gap between hardware design and software implementation while working under tight constraints and mission-critical requirements. In this episode of the Ctrl+Listen Podcast, Ryan Eppley (CEO) and Samarpita Chowdhury (CTO) of Root Access explain how their AI-native platform Hideout is transforming the embedded systems workflow. From generating accurate drivers directly from datasheets to eliminating tedious configuration work, discover how this New York-based startup is helping engineers go from schematics to field testing in days instead of months.The conversation explores what makes embedded engineering so challenging, why traditional AI coding tools fall short for low-level programming, and how Root Access is partnering with Altium and Octopart to create a seamless development environment. - Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-eppley/

- Connect with Samarpita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarpita-chowdhury/

- Root Access on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-access-ai/

- Root Access on X: https://x.com/root_access_

- Learn More about Root Access: https://rootaccess.ai/- Browse Octopart for Parts & Tech News: https://octopart.com/#Podcast #EmbeddedSystems #FirmwareEngineering #AIDeveloperTools