FixturFab Company Profile

Background

Overview

FixturFab, founded in 2019 by Duncan Lowder and Joe Selvik, is a Seattle-based company specializing in the design and manufacturing of custom test fixtures and turnkey test systems for the electronics industry. The company focuses on providing solutions for functional testing of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), offering both low-volume development and high-volume production test fixtures, as well as fully integrated test systems that include hardware, software, and instrumentation.

Mission and Vision

FixturFab's mission is to modernize hardware testing by developing a design platform that automates the design process for PCBA functional test fixtures. The company envisions hardware testing at the speed of software, empowering design teams with AI-driven test plans and equipment for electronics testing from prototype to production.

Primary Area of Focus

The company's primary focus is on providing efficient and reliable testing solutions for electronic components, ensuring that devices operate as expected during the testing process. FixturFab's expertise lies in creating test fixtures for PCBA functional testing, such as Automated Optical Inspection, Automated X-Ray Inspection, Flying Probe, In-Circuit Testing, and Functional Testing.

Industry Significance

FixturFab plays a crucial role in the electronics manufacturing industry by addressing the challenges associated with hardware testing. By offering modern engineering tools and automated design solutions, the company enables faster and more efficient testing processes, thereby reducing lead times and improving product quality.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Accelerate Hardware Testing: FixturFab aims to streamline the hardware testing process, reducing development time and enhancing product quality.

• Automate Design Processes: The company focuses on automating the design of test fixtures to improve efficiency and reduce errors.

• Support Scalable Solutions: FixturFab provides solutions that cater to both low-volume development and high-volume production needs.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• Test Fixtures: Design and manufacture of custom test fixtures for various testing requirements.

• Test Systems: Development of turnkey test systems that integrate hardware, software, and instrumentation.

• Test Software: Provision of modern tools for automated testing, including test development and analytics.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Generative CAD: Automated design of PCBA functional test fixtures.

• Rapid Manufacturing Techniques: Utilization of 3D printing and laser-cutting for quick-turn development fixtures.

• AI-Driven Test Plans: Implementation of artificial intelligence to optimize test planning and execution.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

FixturFab primarily serves sectors that require rigorous testing of electronic components and systems, including consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, and medical devices.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

• Total Funds Raised: FixturFab has raised a total of $980,000 across two funding rounds.

• Recent Funding Rounds:

• Seed Round: $350,000 raised in August 2023, led by Calm Company Fund.

• Pre-Seed Round: Amount undisclosed, raised in November 2020.

Notable Investors

• Calm Company Fund: Led both the seed and pre-seed funding rounds.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The raised capital is intended to support strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.

Pipeline Development

As a private company, FixturFab has not publicly disclosed specific details about its pipeline candidates, stages of clinical trials, or product development timelines. The company focuses on providing customized test solutions tailored to the unique needs of its clients, which may vary across different projects.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• Automated Test Fixture Design: FixturFab's design platform automates the creation of test fixtures, reducing manual design time and potential errors.

• Integrated Test Systems: Development of comprehensive test systems that combine hardware, software, and instrumentation for seamless testing processes.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Automated Test Development: Utilization of modern libraries and tools to expedite test development and execution.

• Test Analytics: Implementation of advanced analytics to monitor test performance and identify defects in real-time.

AI-Driven Capabilities

• Test Planning Optimization: Use of artificial intelligence to generate efficient test plans based on design specifications.

• Defect Detection: AI algorithms analyze test data to detect and diagnose defects promptly.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

• Duncan Lowder: Founder and CEO. Duncan focuses on working with customers and improving the product based on their feedback.

• Joe Selvik: Co-Founder and COO. Joe focuses on growth, operations, and hardening the product.

Professional Backgrounds

• Duncan Lowder: An engineer turned first-time founder, Duncan has experience in various consumer electronics startups, where he was involved in designing test fixtures from scratch.

• Joe Selvik: With a background in computer engineering, Joe has experience in engineering and operations, contributing to the development and scaling of FixturFab's products.