There’s a quiet kind of swagger that comes from solving problems most people can’t even pronounce. That’s Fidus Systems. Founded in 2001 by Michael Wakim, this Ottawa-born engineering powerhouse has spent 20+ years building the backbone of high-performance tech, FPGA, ASIC, embedded systems, signal and power integrity, thermal design, RF, and validation. They don’t just design boards; they design belief. The company’s “First Time Right” mantra isn’t marketing, it’s math. 4,000+ projects, 500+ clients, 95% return rate. That’s what mastery looks like when precision is the product.
Catchment Capital just made its debut move since launching in 2024, and they didn’t start small. The PE firm has taken a majority stake in Fidus, its inaugural investment, and it’s a statement piece. Founded by Alex Rose and Robby Berner, Catchment isn’t chasing headlines; they’re chasing transformation. Their CaST Strategic Transformation (CaST™) process is built to turn exceptional companies into global benchmarks. With Fidus, they’ve found a team already operating at the edge of engineering excellence.
At the controls, President and CEO Alan Coady leads a team that turns complexity into clarity. CFO and COO Vicki Coughey keeps the gears tight, the growth tighter. CTO Scott Turnbull has been bending electrons to his will for 25 years, while CRO Colin Wood and EVP of Sales Cameron Redmond turn that expertise into real market dominance. Founder and Board Member Michael Wakim, MIT alum, visionary engineer, and still the pulse of Fidus, proves that deep tech can have deep roots.
For Catchment, this isn’t a transaction, it’s ignition. The goal: transform Fidus from North American leader to global force. With investment aimed at scaling talent, tech, and systems, Fidus is set to capitalize on powerful tailwinds: AI at the edge, aerospace and defense expansion, rising processing demands, and the massive $173.8 billion embedded systems market projected by 2029. Add in a booming FPGA services sector expected to hit $12.5 billion by 2033, and you can feel the current shift.
