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Zenode offers an AI-powered search engine that revolutionizes the discovery and selection of electronic components. The platform enables engineers and hardware developers to utilize natural language queries, searching across millions of parts within extensive distributor and manufacturer catalogs. Its custom-built AI reads intricate component documentation, providing deep insights and helping users efficiently filter and identify the most suitable parts for their designs, effectively modernizing the traditional component catalog experience.
The company was co-founded in 2023 by Brandon Bourn and Collin Stoner, emerging from its earlier iteration as Hardware.AI. Bourn and Stoner identified a significant challenge within hardware engineering: the inefficient and time-consuming process of sifting through vast amounts of technical documentation to find specific electronic components. Their insight led to the development of an intelligent system designed to streamline this critical aspect of product development.
Zenode primarily serves professionals within hardware development and engineering sectors who require rapid, accurate component sourcing. The company's vision is to foster greater AI collaboration in component selection, making the complex world of electronic parts more accessible and manageable. By empowering engineers with advanced search and documentation analysis capabilities, Zenode aims to fundamentally reshape the electronic design process.
Zenode has raised $500K across 1 funding round.
Zenode has raised $500K in total across 1 funding round.
Zenode has raised $500K in total across 1 funding round.
Zenode's investors include Afore Capital, Rexhep Dollaku, Coelius Capital, Fuel Ventures, Hustle Fund, Jazz Venture Partners, Omni Ventures, Unpopular Ventures, Virta Ventures, Zetta Venture Partners.
Zenode has raised $500K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $500K Seed in February 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2024 | $500K Seed | — | Afore Capital, Rexhep Dollaku, Coelius Capital, Fuel Ventures, Hustle Fund, JAZZ Venture Partners, Omni Ventures, Unpopular Ventures, Virta Ventures, Zetta Venture Partners | Announced |
Zenode is an AI-powered search engine for electronic components, enabling hardware engineers to query millions of parts using natural language, apply parametric filters, and interact directly with datasheets to streamline PCB design and component selection.[1][2][5] It serves electrical engineers and hardware teams at companies building devices from consumer electronics to industrial hardware, solving the pain of sifting through outdated catalogs and complex datasheets that slow development and risk costly errors.[1][5][6] Launched in August 2025, Zenode has seen rapid adoption, doubling metrics like user engagement nearly every month since June, with hundreds of engineers onboard early and backing from investors like Augment Ventures and Bee Partners in a pre-seed round totaling $600K.[1][3][4][5]
Zenode was founded by electrical engineers Brandon Bourn (CEO) and Collin Stoner, who together bring decades of experience including over 250 PCB designs and frustration with the tedious, time-intensive process of hardware development—especially component selection, where most costs accrue downstream.[1][2][5][6] Self-taught in AI, they built a custom large language model (LLM) trained on datasheets to read and interpret technical specs 1000x faster than humans, targeting repetitive tasks that make electronics design expensive.[1][2][3] The idea emerged from their real-world pain: engineers deciding on million-dollar purchases using 2000s-era tools from distributors like Digi-Key, forcing manual datasheet reviews.[1] Pivotal early traction came post-launch in August 2025, attracting hundreds of users amid explosive growth, with Bourn demoing at events like the F50 Physical AI Summit.[1][4]
Zenode rides the Physical AI wave, applying LLMs to hardware design where software AI has outpaced electronics innovation, positioning hardware as the new bottleneck amid AI-driven product explosions.[2][3][4] Timing is ideal in 2025's AI hype peak, as aging tools from Digi-Key/Mouser fail millions of parts, while Zenode's datasheet mastery unlocks faster, cheaper PCB development—critical for scaling everything from EVs to IoT.[1][2] Market forces like supply chain pressures and rising hardware costs favor it, with early investor validation from Augment and Bee Partners signaling ecosystem buy-in for "Hardware.AI" tools rivaling CAD's 1980s impact.[3][5] By accelerating component selection, Zenode influences the startup ecosystem, enabling faster prototyping and reducing failure risks for hardware ventures.
Zenode's momentum—doubling monthly since mid-2025—positions it to dominate AI-EDA, expanding from search into full automation as its component knowledge deepens.[3][4][5] Trends like Physical AI proliferation and machine-to-machine learning will propel it, especially as hardware lags software innovation.[2][3][5] Expect schematic tools next, amplifying influence in a market ripe for disruption, evolving from niche search to essential engineering companion—turning founder frustration into industry standard.[1][2]
