When engineers design new technologies, every detail comes down to the parts they choose. But finding the right component often means sorting through mountains of data.
As Chris Dagher, Founder and CEO of QTex AI, pointed across the table during our conversation, he motioned to a stack of paper nearly eight inches tall. That was just one resource out of the tens or even hundreds that an electrical engineer might need to parse before locking in a design.
Chris knows this challenge well. With more than a decade of experience designing circuit boards and developing electronics, he has spent countless hours sifting through data sheets. His Co-Founder and COO, Oliver MacDonald, has had similar experiences in robotics and systems engineering, where power supplies and part sourcing often feel like a bottleneck to innovation. Together, they decided to build something better.
About QTex AI and PartWise
QTex AI runs an AI-powered platform called PartWise, built to give engineers time back in their day. By combining artificial intelligence with a deep understanding of engineering design, electronics, and component sourcing, the platform delivers part information instantly. What used to take hours (or sometimes days) can now be completed in minutes.
The scale of the challenge is staggering. Some distributors have over 10 million parts in their catalogs. One distributor even told Chris and Oliver that they “probably have somewhere around two billion” but had lost count. With numbers like that, it is no wonder engineers can feel overwhelmed. PartWise takes that complexity and turns it into clarity, offering a SaaS solution that is both scalable and accessible for engineers who need speed without sacrificing precision.
Recognition and Community
The team’s vision has already earned attention. QTex AI took home awards at both the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge and the Treefort Hackfort Tech Challenge, validating the need for their solution and the strength of their approach.
Like many early-stage companies, QTex AI has found support and momentum through Boise’s entrepreneurial community. Dagher and MacDonald credit Trailhead with offering mentorship and opportunities for early feedback as they refine and expand their platform. They are now seeking partners for fundraising and pilot testing to continue growing their reach.
A Faster Path to Innovation
For Chris and Oliver, PartWise is about more than saving time. It is about unleashing creativity and giving engineers the freedom to focus on building the future. The difference, as they describe it, is like going from a horse-drawn carriage to a sports car. Engineers can finally move at the speed their ideas deserve.
This blog is written by Liz Raphael, a writer, actor, and producer in Boise, Idaho.