CEO Interview with Karim Beguir of InstaDeep

Karim Beguir is InstaDeep’s Chief Executive Officer. He helps companies get to grips with the latest AI breakthroughs and deploy these in order to improve efficiency and ROI. As a graduate of France’s Ecole Polytechnique and former Program Fellow at NYU’s Courant Institute, Karim has a passion for teaching and using applied mathematics. He is also a mentor at Google for Startups Accelerator and is a steering committee member of Deep Learning Indaba. Karim is on a mission to democratise AI and make it accessible to a wide audience.

Tell us about your company?

InstaDeep delivers AI-powered decision-making systems for enterprises, at scale, thanks to expertise in Artificial Intelligence research, software development, and high-performance computing. InstaDeep has a track record in several industries such as biotechnology, logistics, and electronics. In 2024, InstaDeep launched the Pro version of DeepPCB, a cloud-based AI Place & Route solution.

What problems are you solving?

DeepPCB addresses the time-consuming and complex process of manual placement and routing for printed circuit boards (PCBs). DeepPCB is not an EDA solution, it’s complimentary to EDA companies that have PCB design tools. Its AI-powered approach leverages reinforcement learning to deliver high-quality routing that meets modern PCB design requirements beyond the capabilities of traditional auto-routers. DeepPCB accelerates design cycles, produces DRC-clean layouts, and optimizes routing paths to eliminate violations. By overcoming the limitations of manual and traditional PCB design methods, DeepPCB provides engineers and designers with a more efficient, accurate, and scalable solution, ultimately reducing time-to-market, overall design effort and faster product deployment.

What application areas are your strongest?

DeepPCB is built for companies designing complex PCBs, especially in areas like consumer electronics, automation, and industrial tech, where quality control isn’t optional. If speed, precision, and efficiency matter to your business, our automated PCB placement and routing will save you significant time, deliver higher-quality boards, and make your team more productive.

What keeps your customers up at night? Engineering teams are focused on meeting aggressive tape-out schedules by working backward from final deadlines through prototyping and the entire PCB design process. They are seeking ways to leverage new technologies to streamline this workflow and manage increasing complexity. With growing demand and limited resources, simply adding headcount may not resolve these challenges, prompting the need for smarter, more automated solutions to ensure timelines are met without compromising quality.

What does the competitive landscape look like and how do you differentiate?

DeepPCB faces competition from established players who are integrating AI into their existing solutions, as well as from specialized AI-focused startups and even community-driven initiatives. DeepPCB distinguishes itself by transforming the PCB design process from a manual, time-consuming endeavor into an efficient, AI-driven, and cloud-based workflow, resulting in faster development cycles, optimized designs, and greater accessibility for engineers and businesses of all sizes.

What new features/technology are you working on?

DeepPCB is actively working on adding new features to its offering, with the goal to support more use-cases and serve more enterprise customers. The team is also focusing on scaling the solution to bigger and more complex boards. The online platform is also constantly evolving, with fresh new interfaces and interactivity features.

How do customers normally engage with your company?

Customers typically engage with DeepPCB in several ways. Companies involved in PCB design often approach DeepPCB to address current design challenges, while many are also planning for future projects and seeking a competitive edge. Organizations with existing PCB design technology turn to DeepPCB to enhance their capabilities beyond traditional tools. Additionally, resellers look to expand their offerings by partnering with DeepPCB, and research groups engage to stay updated on the latest advancements in AI for PCB design.

DeepPCB offers multiple engagement models, including its cloud-based platform and API integration. The company remains active in the PCB design community by publishing blogs, providing free trials, and offering flexible pricing options to meet diverse customer needs.

Also Read:

CEO Interview with Dr. Avi Madisetti of Mixed-Signal Devices

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CEO Interview with Jutta Meier of IQE

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