# Expanding Horizons: Microboard's Growth Strategy and Cultural Values, with Owner and CEO Nicole Russo

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2025-07-08
- Length: 8m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an

## Summary

Nicole Russo, CEO of Microboard, discusses the company's strategy to double its size by 2028 through a second manufacturing site, weighing greenfield development against acquisition or partnership models. She emphasizes the critical role of AI in addressing workforce shortages and driving profit, noting that Microboard is working with extremely rare components, with only 100 existing worldwide. Russo also highlights the company's commitment to remaining family-owned, rejecting private equity, and its dual mission of producing cutting-edge technology while supporting humanitarian efforts for those living on less than a dollar a day.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an#t=8) Introduction: Nicole Russo and Microboard at APEX 2025
- [1:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an#t=85) AI Strategy: Harnessing data for profit and productivity
- [3:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an#t=224) Expansion Plans: Doubling size by 2028 and site selection
- [5:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an#t=306) Company Culture: Family-owned status and humanitarian mission
- [6:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an#t=382) Market Outlook: Defense strength, tariffs, and rare components
- [7:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-07-08-expanding-horizons-microboards-growth-strategy-and-cultural-values-with-owner-an#t=449) Workforce Diversity: Challenges and successes with neurodiversity

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Microboard (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Luminovo (company)
- APEX 2025 (other)

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- [EP 135: Talking Semiconductor Recruiting](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting) (The Circuit)
- [On-Demand Labor, Operations, and Finding a Co-Founder with Veryable CEO Mike Kinder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-09-21-on-demand-labor-operations-and-finding-a-co-founder-with-veryable-ceo-mike-kinde) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [It's Not a Workforce Issue, It's a Workflow Issue w/ Alex Torrey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-08-25-its-not-a-workforce-issue-its-a-workflow-issue-w-alex-torrey) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [271: Preparing Manufacturers for the Semiconductor Boom: Insights from SEMICON West and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Scaling Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2025-09-19-scaling-manufacturing) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

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