Quilter

About Quilter

Quilter is a Los Angeles-based AI company developing generative software to automate printed circuit board (PCB) design. Founded in 2019 by CEO Sergiy Nesterenko, a former EMI & Radiation Engineer at SpaceX, Quilter aims to address the traditionally manual and time-consuming process of PCB layout. Nesterenko's experience developing avionics for SpaceX's rockets highlighted the inefficiencies in PCB design, inspiring him to create a solution that functions as a "compiler for circuit boards."

The company's platform utilizes a combination of machine learning and high-performance computing to convert circuit schematics into manufacturable PCB layouts. Rather than using large language models, Quilter employs reinforcement learning, similar to Google DeepMind's approach, combined with computational physics to generate and optimize designs. This physics-driven engine simulates real-world constraints to produce dozens of layout options, allowing engineers to bypass manual placement and routing. The technology is designed to condense the layout process from weeks to hours, with a computational cost significantly lower than traditional third-party services.

Quilter serves electronics companies, startups, and small teams focused on rapid prototyping. The business model, while the platform is in open beta, allows users to test the system for free. The company plans to implement a usage-based pricing model based on design volume and complexity after the beta phase. In February 2024, Quilter secured $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Benchmark, with participation from Coatue, Root Ventures, and Harrison Metal Capital. The funds are intended to accelerate research and development, expand operations, and increase product adoption.