What eSmart Systems does

eSmart Systems AS is a Norway-based private software company founded in 2002 that provides AI-powered computer vision solutions for inspection and asset intelligence of critical electrical grid infrastructure. Its core platform, Grid Vision®, processes aerial imagery captured by drones, helicopters, or ground teams to detect defects, identify components, and generate GPS-linked digital asset inventories across transmission, distribution, and substation networks. The platform is built on Microsoft Azure and trained on one of the largest proprietary datasets for utility infrastructure, derived from deployments at 75+ utilities globally, and is supplemented by the AI Studio developer platform launched in March 2026 which exposes proprietary computer vision models as API-first services for autonomous agent integration.

The company operates a hybrid business model combining recurring SaaS subscriptions (Grid Vision) with managed Inspection-as-a-Service (IaaS) programs in which it coordinates drone operators, runs AI analysis, and delivers actionable insights to utility operators. Customers are primarily large electric utilities, transmission system operators, and distribution system operators across North America and EMEA, including named enterprise accounts Xcel Energy, TenneT, E.ON, Alliander, Naturgy, AllgäuNetz, Repower, WEB Bonaire, and Coldwater Board of Public Utilities. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by a global partner ecosystem that includes Microsoft (foundational cloud and AI partner), Quanta Services (North American strategic investor and field services partner), EDM International, Phase One, and TRC Companies, plus regional drone operators for image capture.

eSmart Systems has raised approximately EUR 70 million cumulatively across multiple funding rounds, with notable Series B rounds of EUR 40 million in August 2022 (led by Arosa Capital) and EUR 30 million in October 2024 (led by TiLT Capital Partners with Quanta Services as a strategic investor). The company holds ISO 27001:2022, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, is GDPR- and CCPA-compliant, and operates from offices in Norway, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States following its 2022 acquisition of Stavanger-based Verico (now eSmart Systems NL BV).

Name

eSmart Systems

Legal name

eSmart Systems AS

Website

https://esmartsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

eSmart Systems is a Norway-based AI software company that provides computer vision and asset intelligence solutions — including its Grid Vision platform and AI Studio developer platform — to electric utilities and grid operators for AI-powered virtual inspection, defect detection, and digital asset management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Utility Asset Intelligence Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Asset & Maintenance Management (EAM/CMMS) Platforms (HDAEAEAM), Control Room HMI/Visualization, Alarm & Event Management (EUADAEAJ)

Keywords

• AI grid inspection
• Utility asset intelligence
• Computer vision software
• Power line inspection
• Grid digitalization

Headquarters

HQ city

Halden

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Software as a Service (SaaS): Grid Vision® platform delivered as cloud-based subscription service for grid digitalization and asset intelligence. Utilities access the platform for inspection management, asset data management, and analytics.
2. Inspection as a Service (IaaS): End-to-end inspection services where eSmart manages the full inspection program including image capture coordination, virtual inspection delivery, and actionable insights. Drone operators and aerial survey firms are engaged as subcontractors.
3. AI Studio Platform Services: API-first AI development and deployment platform with modular services for building, tuning, and deploying custom computer vision models. Accessible via web interface and documented APIs for AI agents and enterprise integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

eSmart Systems provides AI-powered computer vision software for virtual inspection and intelligent asset management of electric grid infrastructure. The Grid Vision® platform analyzes aerial imagery captured by drones and helicopters to detect defects, identify components, and create georeferenced digital asset inventories for transmission, distribution, and substation networks. The company also delivers AI Studio, an API-first platform for building custom computer vision models, and offers end-to-end Inspection-as-a-Service to utility operators globally.

Product overview

eSmart Systems offers a unified product platform centered on Grid Vision®, an AI-powered inspection and asset intelligence platform for critical energy infrastructure. The portfolio includes modular solutions for virtual grid asset inspection, image-based digital inventory, grid asset intelligence, and digital approvals via PermitTo. AI Studio extends these capabilities as a developer platform for building custom computer vision models. Services are delivered through Inspection-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models. The platform is hardware-agnostic and integrates with drones, helicopters, and ground-based inspection systems, with an open API architecture enabling enterprise integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grid Vision: AI-powered software solution for inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure, providing inspection management and asset information management solutions to utilities globally.
• AI Studio

Products and services

• Grid Vision® AI-powered software platform for virtual inspection and intelligent asset management of critical energy infrastructure, combining inspection data, high-resolution imagery, and GPS precision to deliver full visibility into grid health for electric utilities globally.
• Virtual Grid Asset Inspection AI-powered virtual inspection solution enabling utilities to inspect transmission and distribution infrastructure remotely using drone-captured imagery, reducing the need for manual field inspections and improving inspector safety.
• Image-based Digital Inventory Solution that creates image-based digital asset inventories from aerial imagery, providing accurate, georeferenced asset records for electric utilities across transmission, distribution, and substation assets.
• Grid Asset Intelligence Analytics solution providing risk-based insights and data-driven decision support for asset management, maintenance planning, and capital investment optimization across the grid.
• PermitTo (Digital Approvals & Access Permits) Digital workflow solution for managing access permits and approvals for grid infrastructure, streamlining regulatory compliance and operational workflows for utilities.
• AI Studio Full-stack AI development and deployment platform making proprietary computer vision intelligence available as modular, API-first services. Enables utilities and technology companies to build, tune, and deploy custom AI models without requiring machine learning expertise, with Agent-first architecture and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration.
• Inspection-as-a-Service (IaaS) Managed end-to-end inspection service where eSmart Systems coordinates drone operators, performs AI analysis, and delivers actionable insights to utility customers for full inspection programs across transmission, distribution, and substation infrastructure.
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for Grid Digitalization Cloud-based software delivery model providing utilities with access to the Grid Vision® platform for grid digitalization, inspection management, asset data management, and analytics on a subscription basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% more defects identified than with traditional inspection methods
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationFoundational partner since inception; Grid Vision was born and operates on Microsoft Azure. Multiple recognitions from Microsoft including Partner of the Year and twice nominated as Global AI Partner of the Year. CTO recognized as Microsoft Regional Director. Partnership built on shared values and vision for AI-powered energy solutions.
• EDM InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of engineers, scientists, biologists and business people providing innovative solutions for the utility industry. Joint collaboration on virtual inspection best practices and white papers. Partner in Xcel Energy inspection program with expertise in inspection standards and methodologies.
• Phase OnesupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndustrial medium-format camera systems provider. Partner for high-resolution image capture technology in grid inspections.
• TRC CompaniessupportingTechnology or IntegrationEngineering and construction services firm. Technology partner providing inspection and engineering expertise for utility infrastructure projects.
• Quanta ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic investor and partner for North American market expansion. Combines eSmart Systems' AI technology with Quanta's aviation, field force, and program management capabilities for virtual inspection and grid digitalization services across the US and Canada.
• Regional Drone OperatorssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of regional drone operators engaged for image capture in inspection programs. eSmart Systems trains and works with regional operators for automated flight pattern execution and data capture consistency.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sharper Shape: Finland-based provider of drone-based power line and grid infrastructure inspection with automated defect detection. Most direct peer: same target customers (TSOs/DSOs), same drone-and-AI inspection model, and overlap with European utility clients.
• ULC Technologies: US-based robotics and AI inspection company focused on utility and pipeline infrastructure. Comparable in deploying computer-vision and AI to inspect transmission and distribution assets, particularly in the US market.
• Opus One Solutions: Grid intelligence software company serving distribution utilities with DER integration, congestion management, and grid optimization. Comparable in delivering AI-driven decision support to utilities, though with a different functional focus than visual inspection.

Emerging players

• PrecisionHawk: Drone-based aerial inspection and analytics provider serving utilities, energy, and agriculture. Overlaps with eSmart on drone capture and analytics for grid inspection, though it spans multiple verticals beyond energy.
• Uplight: Energy SaaS platform for utilities covering customer engagement, DER management, and asset programs. Adjacent in serving utility enterprise software needs, with overlap in regulated, slow-moving procurement environments.
• DroneDeploy: Drone inspection and reality-capture platform serving construction, energy, and agriculture. Competes for the drone-data-capture layer feeding into utility inspection workflows.

Broad incumbents

• Bentley Systems: Large infrastructure engineering software incumbent with iTwin and AssetWise product lines. Competes at the asset intelligence / digital twin layer for utilities, though not specialized in computer-vision inspection.
• Trimble: Broad geospatial and infrastructure software/hardware provider with utility asset management offerings. Comparable at the asset data and grid operations layer, but addresses utilities as one of many verticals.
• Skydio: Major US drone manufacturer increasingly bundling inspection and analytics software for utility and public-safety customers. Represents the vertical-integration threat — owning both the hardware and parts of the software stack.
• DJI: Dominant commercial drone manufacturer whose hardware powers much of the world's utility inspection flights. The clearest long-term vertical-integration risk: bundling native AI analytics and compressing software-only vendors like eSmart.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eSmart_Systems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esmart-systems
• Facebookfacebook.com/esmartsystemsas

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors13 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about eSmart Systems