# 251. Michael Corr & Justin Sears on How Altium & Duro Are Fueling the Next Generation of Hardware Startups

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-28
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: 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
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/251-michael-corr-justin-sears-on-how-altium-duro-are-fueling-the-next-generation-of-hardware-startups-FZvcUEbH

## Summary

Michael Corr, co-founder and CEO of Duro, and Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing at Altium, discuss how Duro’s cloud-based PLM platform and Altium’s Agile Teams are breaking down silos between electrical, mechanical, and procurement teams. They explain how Duro’s API-first architecture enables specialized AI agents to automate tasks like BOM analysis and part sourcing, addressing the critical need for real-time supply chain visibility. The conversation highlights the acquisition of Duro by Altium, the shift from selling 'vitamins' to 'medicine' for hardware startups, and the resurgence of small, fast-moving hardware companies leveraging modern tooling.

## Chapters

- [0:00](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#t=0) Introduction: Michael Corr and Justin Sears
- [1:34](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#t=94) Duro’s Origin and Pivot to Mid-Market
- [6:28](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#t=388) Supply Chain Visibility During COVID
- [14:13](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#t=853) Altium’s Evolution to a Collaborative Platform
- [22:40](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#t=1360) Benchmark Electronics Case Study
- [27:48](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#t=1668) The API-First Approach and AI Agents
- [28:48](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#t=1728) Customer Stories: Proper Voltage and Asteroid Mining
- [41:16](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#t=2476) Future of Engineering: Specialized Agents and Supply Chain
- [55:21](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#t=3321) Hot Takes: Garage Startups vs. Building Your Own Software

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Duro (product)
- Altium (company)
- Altium Agile Teams (product)
- Altium 365 (product)
- Benchmark Electronics (company)
- Proper Voltage (company)
- Astra Forge (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Claude (tool)
- ChatGPT (tool)
- Kickstarter (company)
- Indiegogo (company)
- Horton Works (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Apple (company)
- Mouser (company)
- DigiKey (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Altium & Duro: The PLM Software Built for Hardware Startups](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-30-altium-duro-the-plm-software-built-for-hardware-startups) (OnTrack)
- [AI-Powered PLM: The Future of Hardware Product Lifecycle Management](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-07-01-ai-powered-plm-the-future-of-hardware-product-lifecycle-management) (OnTrack)
- [Product Lifecycle Management with Michael Corr](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-02-14-product-lifecycle-management-with-michael-corr) (The Amp Hour)
- [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)
- [PCB Design Tools for Every Team Size: Altium's New Approach](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-10-22-pcb-design-tools-for-every-team-size-altiums-new-approach) (OnTrack)

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