In this episode, we’re joined by Nick Theoret of Centri Group, a client of Amtech and like-minded leader to Amtech CEO Jay Patel. Developing platform-agnostic hardware comes with unique challenges and opens up incredible business opportunities. Jay and Nick share how they’re navigating these complexities as we explore Nick’s journey from building a prototype to developing a scalable IoT hardware business without being tied to specific platforms. Jay highlights the importance of adaptability and close partnerships in hardware development, while Nick explains the benefits of staying flexible in a fast-evolving technology landscape. Plus, we discuss practical insights on entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, and making long-term growth a reality in the dynamic IoT space.
The evolution of platform-agnostic hardware, as highlighted in this conversation, offers essential lessons for businesses adapting to the fast pace of technological change. One of the key takeaways from their discussion is the importance of flexibility. By focusing on building hardware that can integrate seamlessly with any platform, Centri has positioned itself to adapt to future technological advancements without being locked into proprietary systems. This foresight is something many businesses can learn from when it comes to developing products that are both scalable and future-proof.
Nick’s journey with Centri Connect also sheds light on the power of starting small and iterating over time. From an initial experiment at his parents’ home to a product line that connects propane tanks to IoT platforms, his story emphasizes that innovation doesn’t always begin with grand ideas but often starts with solving simple, real-world problems. Sometimes, the best way forward is to address immediate, manageable issues and expand from there.
The partnership between Nick and Jay also highlights the importance of collaboration in hardware development. Maintaining close relationships with suppliers, as Nick does with Amtech, ensures a streamlined process from concept to production. This close collaboration enables a feedback loop where both parties can focus on improving efficiency and quality. Investing in strong partnerships and communication with suppliers can be critical for long-term success.
These insights apply to hardware startups as well as to any business focused on innovation. By embracing flexibility, starting small, and maintaining key partnerships, leaders can create resilient systems equipped to handle the fast pace of change in today’s business world.
Below is a tidied up transcript of our conversation together.
Question: What does Centri do, and how do you approach hardware development?
Nick Theoret of Centri Connect: At Centri, we build platform-agnostic hardware. Our first product was a propane tank monitor, and we’ve got more in development. Our goal is to make hardware that can connect to any IoT platform, whether it’s for B2B or B2C. We started during COVID, and it’s been an interesting journey seeing how technology and consumer behavior have evolved since then.
Question: How do you manage changes in technology when things evolve so quickly?
Jay Patel of Amtech: One of the key things Nick has done is create hardware that’s platform-agnostic, meaning it can evolve with the cloud or other technologies without needing to start over. This flexibility gives them the ability to iterate and scale quickly. It’s all about building a foundation that can adapt, and Nick has set up Centri in a way that allows for that.
Nick: Exactly. The biggest issue in the IoT space is companies developing both hardware and software platforms, which can become obsolete if they don’t integrate well with existing systems. Our strategy was to focus on hardware that can integrate into any platform, avoiding the need to develop proprietary software. This has allowed us to stay flexible and avoid a lot of wasted development time.
Question: How did the propane tank monitor come about?
Nick: It actually started at my parents’ place. They had a propane tank, and I thought, “Why isn’t there a sensor on this?” That led to me experimenting with AWS IoT, building a basic prototype that connected to the cloud. I hooked it up to my dad’s propane tank, and while it was a simple project at first, it laid the groundwork for what we’re doing today.
Question: How did your relationship with Jay and AmTech come about?
Jay: We met by chance. Nick and his colleague were promoting a product, and I offered my card, saying we did electronics manufacturing. We stayed in touch, and eventually, Nick came to me looking for some help with engineering and hardware development. Over time, our partnership grew, and we’ve worked on multiple projects together.
Nick: Jay introduced me to some people in his network, and we started working on a product together. Initially, we didn’t have funding, so we applied for a BAF grant in Michigan. That grant funded our first batch of prototypes, and we used those to get our product into the hands of customers.
Question: How has your business evolved over the last four years?
Nick: It’s definitely more like running a business now, but the startup mentality is still there. We’ve learned a lot from the early days of bootstrapping and continue to apply those lessons. We’re still growing, but we rely on the same hustle and resourcefulness that got us started.
Question: What’s your vision for the future, especially considering how fast technology is evolving?
Nick: We’ve kept things simple. We rely on cloud and cellular technology, which are stable and will continue to grow. If AWS or cellular networks experience disruptions, we’ve planned for it by partitioning our data across multiple locations. We’re also exploring emerging technologies like SpaceX’s Skylink, which could be valuable in the future. For now, our focus is on adding real value to the customer, whether it’s through AI or more efficient home energy use.
Question: How do you see your partnership with Amtech evolving?
Nick: We’ve kept our hardware manufacturing close to home, following Deming’s principles of keeping suppliers close. Amtech has been a great partner in helping us maintain quality from start to finish, and our collaboration has improved both efficiency and the overall product.
Jay: Nick’s journey is a great example of entrepreneurship. He’s worked hard, built strong relationships, and never waited for things to happen. He made them happen. As we continue working together, I think this partnership will keep driving innovation and growth.
Nick: Absolutely. Building something from scratch takes time and persistence, but the relationships we’ve built, like the one with Amtech, have been key to our success.