# Publicly Traded Hobby with Ben Jordan

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2022-06-14
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 593
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/593-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan/

## Summary

Ben Jordan, a former Altium employee and current YouTube educator, and Dave Jones, a former Altium and Autodesk FAE, discuss their shared history at Altium and the company's evolution. They analyze Altium's strategic missteps, including the failed pivot to modular FPGA-based hardware, the disastrous price drop during the GFC, and the cultural shift after founder Nick Martin was ousted. The conversation also covers the technical legacy of Altium's software, such as its Delphi codebase and file compatibility, before touching on Jones's current work in CAD consulting and DSP.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan#t=1) Introduction and Altium History
- [1:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan#t=60) The China Relocation and Nick Martin's Ouster
- [29:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan#t=1792) Altium's Modular Hardware Vision and Nano Board
- [43:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan#t=2580) Software Pricing, Delphi, and Product Strategy
- [48:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan#t=2935) CAD Software Analytics, Bugs, and User Habits
- [1:00:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-06-14-publicly-traded-hobby-with-ben-jordan#t=3600) Dave Jones's Career Transition and Current Work

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Altium (company)
- Autodesk (company)
- Fusion 360 (product)
- Nano Board (product)
- Gumsticks (company)
- Geppetto (product)
- Upverter (product)
- Mentor (company)
- SolidWorks (company)
- Dassault (company)
- ProTel (product)
- Auto Tracks (product)
- Nick Martin (other)
- Matt Schwager (other)
- Bill Hurd (other)
- Steve Howell (other)
- Ben Wells (other)
- Andy Ball (other)
- Emma LaRusso (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Altium Develop: Returning to Our Roots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-10-28-altium-develop-returning-to-our-roots) (OnTrack)
- [Altium Is Coming Home to the Designer | Lawrence Romine on OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-08-18-altium-is-coming-home-to-the-designer-lawrence-romine-on-ontrack) (OnTrack)
- [Burning Man Maker, Music Mogul, and PCB Revolutionary—Flux CEO Matthias Wagner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2023-05-02-burning-man-maker-music-mogul-and-pcb-revolutionary-flux-ceo-matthias-wagner) (Moore's Lobby)
- [251. Michael Corr & Justin Sears on How Altium & Duro Are Fueling the Next Generation of Hardware Startups](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-28-251-michael-corr-justin-sears-on-how-altium-duro-are-fueling-the-next-generation) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL 2022 Season Episode #1 with Altium and MacroFab](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-02-20-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-1-with-altium-and-macrofab) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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