ZifiSense
ZiFiSense is a chip-to-cloud LPWAN technology provider that invented the ZETA standard using proprietary Advanced M-FSK modulation, serving industrial, logistics, and smart-city enterprises globally with chips, network infrastructure, cloud PaaS, and Edge-AI predictive maintenance sensors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCambridge, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ZifiSense does
ZiFiSense is a chip-to-cloud low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology provider founded in 2013 in Cambridge, UK, with primary commercial operations in Shanghai and R&D centers in Xiamen and Cambridge. The company invented and promotes the ZETA LPWAN 2.0 standard, which uses a proprietary Advanced M-FSK modulation at the physical layer to deliver industry-leading reception sensitivity (-149.2dBm to -150dBm), 30-50km line-of-sight coverage, and data rates from 20bps to 500kbps from milli-watt power consumption. Its product portfolio spans ZETA chips and modules (including the ZT1826 satellite-IoT-capable chip and the HopeRF co-developed M-FSK SoC), ZETA Network infrastructure (dedicated, city, and enterprise private networks), ZETA PaaS cloud platform, ZETag asset/cargo tracking tags, and ZETA Edge-AI vibration sensors with a companion industrial SaaS platform for predictive maintenance.
ZiFiSense generates revenue through hardware sales of chips, modules, sensors, and network equipment; recurring ZETA PaaS subscriptions with API access and docker-based deployment; licensing of ZETA LPWA technology (notably to Toppan Printing); and end-to-end IoT solutions and professional services for industrial predictive maintenance, supply chain visibility, and asset management. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, a ZETA Alliance ecosystem of 300+ members, regional distribution partnerships (Sensing Labs in Europe, Techsor in Japan, Gemax in SEA, the ZiFiSense Asia JV with SCG in Thailand), and direct e-commerce via Taobao. Customer segments are weighted toward manufacturing, logistics, express delivery, and smart buildings/cities, with marquee enterprise logos including SAIC-GM-Wuling, BAOWU Steel, Southern Cement, China Post (Guangxi), Siam Cement Group, JD Logistics, Huawei, and JLL.
The company has raised multiple venture rounds totaling multi-hundred-million yuan, with a Series B+ of approximately US$15.8M in February 2022 led by Lenovo Capital and VLight Capital with strategic participation from Siam Cement Group. It operates across China, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with 500+ clients and partners in 20+ countries. Strategic priorities include scaling satellite IoT capabilities (ZT1826), expanding the Sigfox/ZETA unified LPWAN partnership with UnaBiz, and growing the ZETA Alliance to position ZETA as a competing global LPWAN standard alongside LoRa and NB-IoT.
ZifiSense firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZifiSense
- Legal name
- ZiFiSense
- Website
- https://zifisense.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- ZiFiSense is a chip-to-cloud LPWAN technology provider that invented the ZETA standard using proprietary Advanced M-FSK modulation, serving industrial, logistics, and smart-city enterprises globally with chips, network infrastructure, cloud PaaS, and Edge-AI predictive maintenance sensors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZifiSense industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial IoT Connectivity
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile & Wireless Connectivity SoCs (Modem/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/GNSS) (HDAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)
Keywords
Where ZifiSense is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
ZifiSense business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of ZETA chips, modules, sensors (ZETag), and network equipment (APs, motes) for IoT deployments.
- ZETA PaaS Subscription: Cloud-based Platform-as-a-Service providing API access, data visualization, docker-based public/private cloud deployment for sensor data integration.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of ZETA LPWA technology and Advanced M-FSK modulation to partners like Toppan Printing, with export of underlying technology LPWA standard.
- IoT Solutions and Services: End-to-end IoT solutions and professional services for industrial predictive maintenance, supply chain visualization, and asset management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ZETA Chip/Module products available through online store |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
ZifiSense product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZiFiSense develops and sells ZETA LPWAN 2.0 technology, a chip-to-cloud low-power wide-area network platform featuring proprietary Advanced M-FSK modulation. The company manufactures ZETA chips, modules, and ZETag sensors for IoT deployments, provides ZETA Network infrastructure, and offers a ZETA PaaS cloud platform for sensor data integration. Its solutions serve industrial asset tracking, predictive maintenance, supply chain visibility, and smart building applications.
Product overview
ZiFiSense is a 'chip-to-cloud' LPWA technology provider offering the ZETA LPWAN 2.0 technology platform. The product portfolio includes: ZETA Chip/Module (low-cost, low-power consumption chips supporting Advanced M-FSK modulation), ZETA Network (nationwide LPWAN coverage with multiple network types), and ZETA PaaS (cloud platform for sensor data integration). IoT tag products under the ZETag brand include Asset Management ZETag (C3A, CU01, HT01) for container and asset tracking, Cycle-use Tracking ZETag and One-Time Use Tracking ZETag for LTL shipment monitoring. Industrial solutions feature ZETA Edge-AI Vibration and Temperature Sensors (ZAIoT-VTD01, ZAIoT-VTD10) and ZETA Raw Vibration Data Collection Sensor (ZAIoT-VTC01) powered by TinyML algorithms, complemented by the ZETA Industrial SaaS Platform (Talking Machine Assistant) for predictive maintenance. The company has launched multiple chip generations including ZETA M-FSK Chip (HopeRF partnership), ZT1826 Wireless Chip (next-generation satellite IoT capable), and partners with Socionext for SC1330A IoT tag LSI.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZETA: LPWAN 2.0 technology standard developed by ZiFiSense using Advanced M-FSK modulation for low-power wide-area networking
- ZETag
- ZETA Edge-AI Vibration Sensor
- ZETA Industrial SaaS Platform
Products and services
- ZETA Chip/Module Series of ultra-low-cost, low-power LPWAN chips and modules supporting Advanced M-FSK modulation with milli-watt power consumption and industry-leading sensitivity, developed with partners including China Mobile, Socionext, and HopeRF. Multi-protocol SoC converges LPWAN, Satellite IoT, and RFID on a single chip.
- ZETA Network LPWAN network infrastructure available in three forms: Dedicated Motorway/Highway Network, City Roadblock Network, and Enterprise Private Network. Supports nationwide coverage, mobile sensor access up to 120km/h, complete API, and scalable deployment for IoT applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Equipment anomaly detection 7 days to 3 months in advance
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ZifiSense
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ZifiSense technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
ZifiSense partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- Beefly SpacestrategicPartnership for satellite IoT testing demonstrating next-generation ZT1826 wireless chip connectivity to satellites. Field test achieved 92.5km range with stable communication.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversitystrategicResearch partnership for satellite IoT connectivity testing using ZT1826 chip and APTG-SDR10 gateway, validating ground-to-space communication capabilities.
- UnaBizcoreMoU to create a Unified LPWAN World for Massive IoT. Integration of Sigfox Stack into ZiFiSense's second-generation chip for global roaming on both ZETA and Sigfox 0G networks across 70+ countries.
- KinéisstrategicJoint development of software-defined IoT chip for seamless access of satellites and ground networks. Kinéis is a satellite-based IoT operator collaborating on SW-configurable chip development.
- Siam Cement Group (SCG)coreJoint venture ZiFiSense Asia Co. Ltd established in Thailand to develop and deploy ZETA industrial IoT solutions in Southeast Asia. SCG provides expertise in chemical, building materials, and packaging sectors.
- HopeRFcoreJoint launch of ZETA M-FSK chip dedicated to extremely low-cost and highly scalable chip solutions. HopeRF, a leading wireless communication chip maker based in Shenzhen, provides manufacturing and RF expertise.
- Great Wall MotorstrategicStrategic cooperation for automobile supply chain logistics using ZETA technology.
- Jianghuai Automobile (JAC)strategicStrategic cooperation for automobile supply chain logistics with JAC Hefei Factory implementing ZETag for JIT supplier components logistics.
- Sensing LabscoreEuropean distribution partnership to launch ZETA and ZETags IoT modules, solutions, sensors, and network equipment in European markets. Sensing Labs promotes and distributes ZETA-based solutions with ZiFiSense Europa support.
- STMicroelectronicscoreJoined ZETA Alliance as global promoter member. Released ZETA Over LoRa network protocol stack and supporting PaaS in November 2021.
- SocionextcoreJoint development of next-generation ZETA communication technology with Advanced M-FSK modulation. Socionext provides RF technology and digital modulation/demodulation for ZETA physical layer, planned for 2022 mass production.
- TechsorcoreCore member of ZETA Alliance and ZETA Japan representative. Jointly developing next-generation ZETA communication technology with ZiFiSense and Socionext to enhance ZETA competitiveness and accelerate global expansion.
- JD LogisticsstrategicPartnership with JD Logistics Cloud Box to launch digital IoT management solution for logistics containers using ZETag technology.
- China TowercoreStrategic cooperation for nationwide ZETA network deployment using China Tower's base station resources. Signed letter of intent for nationwide cooperation to expand IoT business.
- China PostcoreStrategic cooperation for postal logistics IoT solutions. First service in the world using IoT cloud tags on courier pieces for real-time track tracking in Guangxi Province.
- JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)strategicLaunched building 'Intelligent Control Center' solution with ZETA technology targeting intelligent management of 1000+ high-end buildings in China.
- Toppan PrintingcoreLicensing deal allowing Toppan, Japanese multinational corporation, to enrich IoT products using ZETA LPWAN technology. First export of China's underlying technology LPWA standard.
- ZXIC (ZTE)strategicAgreement to develop dual-mode chipsets for IoT providing LPWAN (NB-IoT/ZETA) capabilities combining ZTE's LTE chip expertise with ZETA technology.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ZifiSense competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Semtech: Semtech is the dominant fabless semiconductor company behind LoRa, the leading LPWAN technology. Direct competitor to ZiFiSense's ZETA in low-power wide-area IoT connectivity, with similar chip/module business and ecosystem play (LoRa Alliance has 600+ members vs. ZETA Alliance's 300+).
- UnaBiz (Sigfox): UnaBiz acquired Sigfox and operates the 0G network in 70+ countries with a unified LPWAN strategy. Direct LPWAN competitor and strategic partner (2023 MoU integrating Sigfox stack into ZiFiSense chips) targeting global massive IoT connectivity for asset tracking and supply chain — the same use cases ZETA serves.
- Quectel: Quectel is the world's largest cellular IoT module maker with a broad portfolio spanning NB-IoT, LTE-M, 5G, and increasingly LPWAN. Competes with ZiFiSense on IoT modules for asset tracking, smart metering, and industrial IoT, with overlapping customer base in China and global distribution.
- Sierra Wireless: Sierra Wireless (now part of Semtech) provides cellular IoT modules, gateways, and managed connectivity services for industrial and enterprise IoT. Comparable business model to ZiFiSense's chip-to-cloud platform, serving overlapping logistics, manufacturing, and smart city use cases.
- Telit Cinterion: Telit Cinterion is a global IoT solutions provider offering cellular modules, edge software, and connectivity management. Directly comparable to ZiFiSense's chip + PaaS model, with similar enterprise and industrial focus.
- Nordic Semiconductor: Nordic Semiconductor designs ultra-low-power short-range wireless SoCs (BLE, Matter, Thread) and is expanding into Wi-Fi and cellular IoT. Comparable fabless wireless SoC model with focus on low-power connectivity, addressing adjacent IoT segments to ZETA's LPWAN focus.
- u-blox: u-blox provides positioning and wireless connectivity modules and chips for automotive, industrial, and consumer IoT. Comparable module/chip business model serving industrial asset tracking, telematics, and predictive maintenance use cases that overlap with ZiFiSense's portfolio.
- Laird Connectivity: Laird Connectivity designs and manufactures wireless modules, antennas, and IoT solutions including Bluetooth, LoRa, and cellular. Comparable in IoT wireless module manufacturing and industrial/enterprise IoT solutions business.
Broad incumbents
- Murata Electronics: Murata is a large Japanese electronic components manufacturer producing wireless modules, sensors, and RF components for global IoT markets. As a broader incumbent, Murata competes in IoT connectivity modules while also serving as a potential ZETA module/component partner given its scale.
Emerging players
- Kinéis: Kinéis is a French satellite IoT operator (spun from CLS/Argos) developing low-earth-orbit constellation for IoT connectivity. Direct strategic partner to ZiFiSense (joint software-defined IoT chip development) and an emerging player in the satellite IoT segment where ZiFiSense's ZT1826 chip is positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ZifiSense social profiles
Digital presenceZifiSense financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZifiSense leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ZifiSense subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ZifiSense funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZifiSense 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 ZifiSense
What does ZifiSense do?
ZiFiSense develops and sells ZETA LPWAN 2.0 technology, a chip-to-cloud low-power wide-area network platform featuring proprietary Advanced M-FSK modulation. The company manufactures ZETA chips, modules, and ZETag sensors for IoT deployments, provides ZETA Network infrastructure, and offers a ZETA PaaS cloud platform for sensor data integration. Its solutions serve industrial asset tracking, predictive maintenance, supply chain visibility, and smart building applications.
Is ZifiSense a public or private company?
ZifiSense is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ZifiSense founded?
ZifiSense was founded in 2013. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is ZifiSense based?
ZifiSense is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ZifiSense make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are ZETA PaaS Subscription, technology Licensing and ioT Solutions and Services.
Who are ZifiSense's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Semtech, UnaBiz (Sigfox), Quectel, Sierra Wireless, Telit Cinterion, Nordic Semiconductor, u-blox and Laird Connectivity. Murata Electronics is listed as a broad incumbent. Kinéis is listed as an emerging player.
Does ZifiSense have an API?
Yes. ZETA PaaS provides API access for integrating sensor data onto the cloud, supporting docker-based public/private cloud deployment, data visualization, and flexible deployment options.
What industry is ZifiSense in?
ZifiSense's product category is Industrial IoT Connectivity. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHABAA, Mobile & Wireless Connectivity SoCs (Modem/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/GNSS), with a secondary code of HDAFAIAM, Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE). Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 3823.