While working at the University of Chicago's Computation Center, Collard joined up with Casey Cowell, Stephen Muka, Stan Metcalf, and Tom Rossen to form U.S. Robotics. Paul began designing modems using the digital Design skills he learned at the University of Sussex. Paul left U.S. Robotics in 1987.
Midway Labs
After attending a lecture at the University of Chicago on solar power, Collard left to start Midway Labs a solar power company using Roland Winston's non-imaging optics to build concentrator solar electric panels.
Personal life
Paul Collard married Rebecca Janowitz from Chicago. They had two children.
