Nordsense
Nordsense is a Copenhagen-based IoT and SaaS provider that retrofits waste containers with multi-point laser sensors and AI-driven analytics, enabling municipalities, waste haulers, NGOs, and commercial facilities to optimize collection routes and reduce costs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Nordsense does
Nordsense is a Copenhagen-headquartered IoT and SaaS provider specializing in smart waste management. Founded in 2016 as a spinoff from the University of Copenhagen by Manuel Maestrini and now led by CEO Anders Engdal, the company retrofits existing waste containers with its NS-POD smart sensor, which uses multi-point laser optical technology at 256-pixel resolution to produce 3D depth maps of bin content, supplemented by temperature, accelerometer, and triple-positioning GPS modules. Data is transmitted via cellular IoT to a cloud-based platform and is accessible through a web application and API. Nordsense serves municipalities (e.g., San Francisco Department of Public Works, Madrid City Council, 9 Israeli municipalities through LGES, Varde Municipality in Denmark), private waste haulers, universities (University of Idaho), NGOs operating donation bins (Moda re-, Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley, Dream Books Co.), and commercial/industrial facilities, with documented deployments across Denmark, the United States, Spain, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.
The product stack combines the NS-POD hardware sensor (with 6-7 year battery life on a once-daily transmission schedule) and the Nordsense Platform SaaS dashboard with add-on modules for Asset Tracking, Intelligent Routing with turn-by-turn driver navigation, and Fleet Management. The platform applies AI and machine learning to predict bin fill rates, generate dynamic collection routes, and surface real-time alerts for fire, theft, and tip-over events. An open API supports integration with partner systems including Ingram Micro's waste management SaaS, Neowit's smart building platform, and San Francisco's Open311 city service system. Quantified customer outcomes include up to 80% reductions in overflowing bins (San Francisco), 50% reductions in collection costs and CO2 emissions, 30% reductions in driving distances (Israel), 50% fuel reduction (University of Idaho), and $100,000 in annual savings (University of Idaho).
Nordsense's business model is a low monthly SaaS subscription that bundles hardware and software, removing the upfront capex barrier typical of municipal procurement. A complementary OEM/white-label revenue stream monetizes the sensor through partner-branded products, most notably the "Trash Talk" line of 11 smart trash can models launched in October 2021 with NYSE-listed industrial distributor Global Industrial. Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise sales (VP Sales EMEA, Regional Sales Managers for Iberia and the US) layered with channel partners including Ingram Micro for global IT distribution, Linkers Techniek in the Netherlands, Neowit in the Nordics, and ELEKTRON AG in Switzerland. The company is venture-backed with approximately $12.6 million USD in disclosed funding across rounds led by New Enterprise Associates (2017-2018), ACME Capital and the Danish Growth Fund Vækstfonden (2020 Series A of $8.4M), and Planet Fund (2023).
Nordsense firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nordsense
- Legal name
- Nordsense
- Website
- https://nordsense.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Nordsense is a Copenhagen-based IoT and SaaS provider that retrofits waste containers with multi-point laser sensors and AI-driven analytics, enabling municipalities, waste haulers, NGOs, and commercial facilities to optimize collection routes and reduce costs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nordsense industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Waste Management Software
- NAICS
- Solid Waste Collection (562111)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Waste Management & Smart Sanitation (Facilities) (HSAPAPAM)
Keywords
Where Nordsense is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Nordsense business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- IoT Sensor Hardware Sales: Nordsense sells IoT-enabled smart sensors that are retrofitted onto existing waste bins. Sensors are priced as part of a monthly subscription or service offering. The hardware includes laser optical sensors, temperature sensors, accelerometers, and cellular radios.
- SaaS Subscription Platform: The company offers a smart waste management platform as a service with a low monthly subscription fee that includes all device-related costs. Customers pay recurring subscription fees to access the web-based platform, real-time data, reporting, routing optimization, and asset tracking features.
- OEM/White-label Technology Licensing: Nordsense embeds its technology into partner-branded products such as Global Industrial's 'Trash Talk' smart trash can line. Revenue is generated through technology licensing and integration fees with OEM partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription-based SaaS including IoT sensors and platform access |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Nordsense product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nordsense provides a SaaS-based smart waste management platform built on retrofittable IoT laser optical sensors (NS-POD) mounted on existing waste bins. The cloud-based platform delivers real-time fill-level monitoring, temperature and movement alerts, asset tracking, intelligent dynamic routing, and fleet management analytics to optimize collection operations for municipalities, waste haulers, NGOs, and large facilities. Revenue is generated through sensor-inclusive monthly subscriptions and OEM/white-label technology licensing for partner-branded smart bins under the Trash Talk sub-brand.
Product overview
Nordsense offers a modular smart waste management platform consisting of IoT smart sensors (NS-POD), the Nordsense Platform SaaS dashboard, and add-on modules including Asset Tracking, Intelligent Routing, and Fleet Management. The core sensors use multipoint laser technology to measure fill levels, temperature, and movement, transmitting data via cellular IoT to the cloud platform for real-time visualization, predictive analytics, and route optimization. Add-on modules extend functionality for container tracking and dynamic routing. A white paper resource supports selection decisions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% decrease in overflowing trash cans in San Francisco
- +12 more outcomes
Companies that use Nordsense
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Nordsense technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
Nordsense partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship sustainability partnership, key market entry partnership, strategic ecosystem partnership, flagship oem partnership, core channel partnership and flagship multi-municipality partnership.
- Moda re-flagship sustainability partnershipSpanish clothing bank operator Moda re-, Spain's largest network of second-hand clothing stores (7,500+ clothing banks), selected Nordsense as their waste meter supplier and partner. The goal is a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from collection services. The Nordsense solution enables dynamic route optimization based on real-time container fill data. Nordsense's Data team works closely with Moda re- to identify additional value in the data, including theft detection and stolen container tracking. The partnership was announced at the CONAMA conference in Spain.
- Linkers Techniekkey market entry partnershipNordsense and Linkers Techniek formed a strategic partnership to meet growing demand for efficient waste management in the Netherlands. Linkers Techniek, an experienced IoT system integrator in the Netherlands specializing in making complex data accessible, deemed Nordsense the ideal smart waste technology partner. The partnership is part of Nordsense's strategy to enter the Dutch market and empower more sustainable waste practices across Europe. Linkers Techniek brings technical expertise in IoT and smart segments to help Dutch municipalities and businesses transition to efficient waste management.
- Neowitstrategic ecosystem partnershipNordsense and Neowit partnered to provide Nordic real estate with more sustainable waste operations. Neowit is a fast-growing Norwegian scale-up (18 months old at partnership time) described as a 'one-stop shop for property technology' that unifies data from various smart sensors in one platform. The Nordsense smart waste system integrates fully with Neowit's smart building platform, providing building owners and managers with data-driven decision-making across building verticals including waste services.
- Global Industrialflagship oem partnershipNordsense and Global Industrial (NYSE:GIC, 70+ years of industrial distribution) joined forces to launch 'Trash Talk,' a new line of 11 smart trash can models powered by Nordsense technology. The product line serves cities, municipalities, waste operators, collectors, haulers, facility management, and campuses across the USA. Global Industrial leverages its established distribution network and brand recognition to scale Nordsense's reach in the US industrial market.
- Ingram Microcore channel partnershipInformation technology company Ingram Micro partnered with Nordsense to offer a comprehensive waste management system that detects waste fill levels using Nordsense's laser optical sensors, transmits data via cellular connection, and uses that information to provide waste collection management to collectors and cities. Ingram Micro provides its own SaaS that integrates with Nordsense data, including route optimization and analytics. The company is in conversations with several cities to deploy the technology in Canada and beyond.
- LGES (Local Government Economic Services) — Israelflagship multi-municipality partnershipLGES works closely with 9 Israeli municipalities to implement smart city technology and optimize waste services. The municipalities began using Nordsense smart sensors to gain transparency of waste generation behavior and successfully transitioned from static to dynamic waste collection routes.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Nordsense competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Compology: US-based provider of camera-based waste container monitoring with route optimization software — directly comparable solution for waste haulers and large waste generators.
- Bigbelly: US-based smart waste and recycling station provider with solar-powered compactors and fill-level sensors used by municipalities and campuses. Direct competitor to Nordsense in the municipal smart-bin segment.
- Enevo: Provider of ultrasonic fill-level sensors and waste analytics for municipalities and haulers. Closely comparable in target customer (cities/haulers) and SaaS platform approach to Nordsense.
- Sensoneo: Slovak smart waste management company offering ultrasonic sensors, route optimization, and waste analytics — comparable IoT-plus-SaaS platform targeting municipalities and waste haulers globally.
- Smart City GmbH (Smart City Solutions): German provider of smart waste bins with solar-powered compactors and fill-level sensors for public spaces, municipalities and events — direct overlap with Nordsense's municipal offering.
Broad incumbents
- Rubicon Technologies: US-based software and marketplace provider for waste and recycling services with smart-route and hauler management capabilities — broader incumbent offering overlapping intelligent routing features.
- Waste Management, Inc. (WM): North America's largest waste services company increasingly investing in smart-route and fleet technology. Comparable as a customer/partner candidate and as a broad incumbent whose digitization strategy Nordsense enables.
- Suez Environment: Global environmental services and water/waste utility operator with growing digital waste management offerings, including smart metering and route optimization. Comparable as a large incumbent moving into adjacent IoT-enabled services.
Emerging players
- AMP Robotics: US-based AI-driven recycling robotics and analytics company — adjacent overlap with Nordsense in applying computer vision and AI to waste stream optimization for MRFs and material recovery.
- EvoEco / Evreka: Turkey-based emerging smart waste platform with sensors and route optimization targeting municipalities and waste haulers globally — comparable technology stack and customer profile with a similar growth-stage posture.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nordsense social profiles
Digital presenceNordsense financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nordsense leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Nordsense funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nordsense M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nordsense
What does Nordsense do?
Nordsense provides a SaaS-based smart waste management platform built on retrofittable IoT laser optical sensors (NS-POD) mounted on existing waste bins. The cloud-based platform delivers real-time fill-level monitoring, temperature and movement alerts, asset tracking, intelligent dynamic routing, and fleet management analytics to optimize collection operations for municipalities, waste haulers, NGOs, and large facilities. Revenue is generated through sensor-inclusive monthly subscriptions and OEM/white-label technology licensing for partner-branded smart bins under the Trash Talk sub-brand.
Is Nordsense a public or private company?
Nordsense is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Nordsense founded?
Nordsense was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Nordsense based?
Nordsense is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Nordsense make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. IoT Sensor Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are saaS Subscription Platform and OEM/White-label Technology Licensing.
Who are Nordsense's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Compology, Bigbelly, Enevo, Sensoneo and Smart City GmbH (Smart City Solutions). Broad incumbents are Rubicon Technologies, Waste Management, Inc. (WM) and Suez Environment. Emerging players are AMP Robotics and EvoEco / Evreka.
Does Nordsense have an API?
Yes. Nordsense offers an API that enables partners like Ingram Micro to integrate with Nordsense data and provide their own SaaS solutions with route optimization and other services. The API allows waste management companies and cities to access real-time fill level data, temperature readings, and container status information for integration into their own platforms.
What industry is Nordsense in?
Nordsense's product category is Smart Waste Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAPAPAM, Waste Management & Smart Sanitation (Facilities). Its NAICS code is 562111 and its SIC code is 4953.