Instrumental Inc.

Instrumental is a manufacturing optimisation platform founded in 2015 by former Apple engineers Anna-Katrina Shedletsky and Samuel Weiss. Having identified inefficiencies and waste in electronics manufacturing during their tenure at Apple, they developed a software solution to replace on-site inspections. Instrumental collects data from manufacturers' normal testing processes and uses high-resolution cameras to monitor the assembly line. By combining this data with machine learning models, Instrumental helps engineers identify and resolve issues more quickly.

The company serves global brands such as Honeywell, Motorola Mobility, and Bose, enabling them to improve product margins by reducing waste and accelerating product development. Instrumental's solution has proven to be highly effective, boasting a net revenue retention rate of 150% in 2021.

Instrumental employs 75 people and is actively expanding its team. They focus on fair hiring practices, ensuring a diverse workforce that aligns with the company's mission. The company recently secured over $80 million in Series C funding led by BAM Elevate, with contributions from Canaan, Root Ventures, and Eclipse Ventures. Instrumental continues to lead the industry by offering innovative solutions that enhance manufacturing efficiency and transparency.
 

Instrumental is a pioneering manufacturing optimisation platform launched in 2015 by Anna-Katrina Shedletsky and Samuel Weiss, former engineers at Apple. The founders identified significant inefficiencies and waste in the electronics manufacturing sector during their tenure at Apple, where they worked on high-profile products like the iPod and Apple Watch. Realising the limitations of traditional on-site inspections, they envisioned a software solution that would enable engineers to perform quality control remotely, thereby addressing the industry's pressing challenges.

The initial concept for Instrumental was born out of Shedletsky and Weiss's experiences in Asia, where they frequently travelled to oversee manufacturing processes. Logging thousands of air miles, they recognised the need for a more efficient and comprehensive approach to monitoring and improving manufacturing quality. This led to the creation of Instrumental, which integrates data collection, high-resolution imaging, and machine learning to offer a holistic view of the manufacturing process.

Instrumental's platform collects data from manufacturers' standard testing procedures and uses cameras to capture detailed images of the assembly line. By combining these data sets and applying machine learning algorithms, the platform identifies potential issues and their root causes. This innovation allows brands to enhance product quality, reduce waste, and accelerate time-to-market.

The company's solution has been widely adopted by leading global brands, including Honeywell, Motorola Mobility, and Bose. Instrumental's effectiveness is reflected in its impressive net revenue retention rate of 150% in 2021, indicating strong customer loyalty and satisfaction. The platform supports 30 customers working on 50 programmes across 10 countries, demonstrating its broad applicability and impact.

Instrumental's growth has been supported by significant investment. In a recent Series C funding round, the company secured over $80 million from investors such as BAM Elevate, Canaan, Root Ventures, and Eclipse Ventures. This funding is being used to further develop the platform and expand the team, which currently comprises 75 employees.

The company is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Its hiring process is designed to be fair and transparent, focusing on candidates' competencies and providing opportunities for them to demonstrate their skills through work samples. This approach has helped Instrumental attract a diverse pool of talent and build a culturally inclusive environment.

Instrumental's leadership team, including Shedletsky as CEO and Weiss as CTO, continues to drive the company's mission to transform manufacturing. Their vision is to create a future where data-driven insights and advanced technology lead to greater efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in manufacturing. Instrumental remains at the forefront of this transformation, setting new standards for the industry and helping companies optimise their operations in an increasingly competitive global market.
 

Instrumental's mission is to halve manufacturing waste by leveraging advanced technology to optimise the production process. Through data-driven insights and innovative solutions, the company empowers global brands to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and accelerate product development.

Instrumental envisions a future where manufacturing processes are entirely transparent, efficient, and sustainable. By integrating cutting-edge AI and data analytics, the company strives to revolutionise the industry, ensuring that every product is manufactured with the highest quality and minimal waste.

Instrumental offers a comprehensive AI and data platform designed to optimise the entire product lifecycle. The platform aggregates all serialised product data into a single, user-friendly interface. By connecting existing data and generating new data through AI-powered visual inspections, Instrumental provides 100% traceability and real-time manufacturing data records.
The platform's AI capabilities enable users to discover novel defects, intercept known defects, and solve failures efficiently. With features such as anomaly detection, operator-augmented AI, and root cause analysis, Instrumental helps manufacturers avoid extra builds, improve quality, and accelerate failure analysis.

Instrumental supports various manufacturing scenarios, from low- to high-mix production and different volume scales. The platform can be hosted on a secure managed cloud or self-hosted on AWS, and it works with existing hardware or Instrumental's drop-in stations. Near real-time data and no coding requirements make Instrumental accessible and effective for any manufacturing setup.

Additionally, Instrumental offers seamless integration with major MES systems, pulling and pushing data to ensure comprehensive analysis and proper unit routing. Guided integration and installation services ensure that the platform fits seamlessly into manufacturing processes. With secure, encrypted data handling and dedicated customer support, Instrumental provides a reliable and transformative solution for modern manufacturing challenges.