Vemcon

What Vemcon does

Vemcon GmbH is a Munich-based B2B technology company founded in 2012 that develops machine control systems for excavators and their attachments. The company's offering centers on the CoPilot product line—an intelligent control system that unifies 2D/3D machine guidance, automatic tool recognition, dynamic weighing, and tiltrotator operation on a single in-cab display. The platform is built around the MiC 4.0 BUS communication standard for cross-manufacturer excavator-attachment interoperability, supported by modular add-ons including ToolTracker (location and operating-hours tracking), MiC 4.0 BUS hardware modules, DF4TR and Premium PROP-TR tiltrotator control units, and a GDPR-compliant Vemcon Cloud platform with open APIs for ERP and fleet management integration.

Vemcon serves three primary customer segments in a vertically-segmented go-to-market: contractors and construction companies operating mixed fleets (seeking uniform operation across manufacturers without replacing existing equipment); attachment manufacturers such as Kinshofer, Epiroc, MTS, HKS, and Oilquick (seeking MiC 4.0-ready turnkey controllers and white-label options to digitize their products); and excavator manufacturers (seeking factory-integrated CoPilot systems to offer 2D, 3D, tool recognition, and scales without in-house R&D). Approximately 20,000 machines globally are equipped with Vemcon technology.

The business model combines hardware sales (CoPilot systems, terminals, MiC 4.0 modules), bundled software licensing with over-the-air updates, white-label and OEM-embedding arrangements, and retrofit installation services. Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise sales to excavator and attachment OEMs for factory integration, supplemented by a dealer and certified partner network for contractor retrofits. The company is founder-led under CEO Jan Rotard, with Dr. Holger Quast joining as COO/CFO in 2023 to professionalize operations. Vemcon is incorporated in Germany as a private GmbH, has raised approximately $6.4M in disclosed funding (led by DeepTech & Climate Fonds in 2023), and maintains DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 quality certification.

Name

Vemcon

Legal name

Vemcon GmbH

Website

https://vemcon.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Vemcon GmbH develops the CoPilot machine control system and MiC 4.0 BUS connectivity platform for excavators and attachments, serving contractors, attachment OEMs (Kinshofer, Epiroc, MTS, HKS, Oilquick), and excavator manufacturers across Europe and globally via a Topcon partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Equipment Machine Control Systems

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Excavator machine control
• Construction equipment automation
• Attachment interoperability
• Construction telematics
• MiC 4.0 BUS

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware sales (CoPilot systems, terminals, modules): Vemcon sells its CoPilot CPX One, CPX Terminal, and MiC 4.0 BUS modules as physical hardware products. These are sold to excavator OEMs for factory installation or to attachment manufacturers as turnkey controllers, as well as to contractors and dealers for retrofitting. Hardware includes boom connectors, cab-mounted terminals, joysticks, input modules, and engine compartment valve control modules.
2. Software / Platform licensing and app ecosystem: CoPilot is described as an app platform with expandability via apps and functions. The company continuously develops and provides updates for software, MiC 4.0 interfaces, and apps. Revenue is generated through software licensing as part of the hardware+software bundled offering, with over-the-air updates enabling ongoing value delivery.
3. Retrofit and installation services: Vemcon offers retrofit packages for contractors (typically 3–5 excavators + 3 attachments), including installation, training, and ongoing support. Installation is performed by dealers, certified partners, or Vemcon Service directly. Customized packages and white-label solutions for OEM partners represent additional service revenue.
4. White-label / OEM embedding: Excavator OEMs and attachment manufacturers can offer CoPilot under their own brand via white-label solutions. This creates revenue through volume-based hardware and licensing agreements with OEM partners embedding Vemcon technology into their machines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vemcon develops and sells intelligent machine control systems for mobile construction machines, primarily excavators. The CoPilot platform unifies attachment control, 2D/3D machine guidance, automatic tool recognition, dynamic weighing, and telematics on a single in-cab display using the MiC 4.0 BUS cross-manufacturer communication standard. Supporting offerings include ToolTracker telematics hardware, MiC 4.0 BUS-Modul connectivity modules, tiltrotator-specific controllers (DF4TR and Premium PROP-TR), and the Vemcon Cloud data platform with open API for ERP and fleet management integration.

Product overview

Vemcon GmbH offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on the CoPilot intelligent control system for mobile construction machines. The core CoPilot system manages all attachments and assistance systems on a single display, featuring automatic tool recognition and MiC 4.0 compatibility across mixed fleets. Two CoPilot product variants address different market segments: CoPilot CPX One targets premium 3D and advanced assistance functions for excavator OEMs, while CoPilot CPX Terminal provides a cost-effective entry point for attachment and assistance control. Supporting modules include ToolTracker (location and usage tracking), the MiC 4.0 BUS-Modul (connectivity hardware for attachments), DF4TR Control and Premium PROP-TR Control (tiltrotator-specific control units), and Vemcon Cloud (cloud platform for data, dashboards, and API-based ERP/fleet management integration). The MiC 4.0 standard underpins the entire ecosystem, ensuring backward compatibility with non-MiC machines while future-proofing for modern excavators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CoPilot CPX One

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000 machines globally equipped with Vemcon technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Topcon Positioning SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 16 June 2026Vemcon GmbH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Topcon Positioning Systems to integrate excavator technology solutions globally. This partnership positions Vemcon's CoPilot platform within Topcon's global distribution and technology ecosystem, expanding reach beyond German-speaking markets into Topcon's worldwide customer base in the construction equipment industry.
• MTS (Maschinen- und Truck-Compagnie)coreTechnology or IntegrationMTS is listed as a platform partner and customer, with its compactor and tiltrotator products controlled by Vemcon CoPilot. MTS products are included in the standard MiC-compatible tiltrotator list alongside HKS, Kinshofer, and Oilquick. Vemcon provides custom app features for MTS compactors including compression time setting and frequency selection.
• KinshofercoreTechnology or IntegrationKinshofer is a leading attachment manufacturer listed as a platform partner. Kinshofer tiltrotators are supported by Vemcon CoPilot standard tiltrotator control. Vemcon has worked with Kinshofer for years on various development and design projects, and Jan Rotard (CEO) previously worked on Kinshofer projects before joining Vemcon.
• EpiroccoreTechnology or IntegrationEpiroc is listed as a platform partner with a published customer testimonial. Vemcon CoPilot integrates with Epiroc's hydraulic attachments, providing operator guidance for optimal stroke frequency, pressure, and angle. Tobias Waldt of Epiroc has publicly endorsed Vemcon as a versatile partner offering hardware, software, and electronics from a single source.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trimble: Global positioning and machine control giant with comprehensive excavator control solutions, including 3D machine guidance and fleet management. Listed as a Vemcon platform partner but also competes directly through its own excavator control systems and Trimble Earthworks platform.
• Topcon Positioning Systems: Global leader in positioning and machine control for construction, agriculture, and surveying. Topcon is both a Vemcon partner (MOU signed June 2026) and a direct competitor in excavator machine control, offering its own 3D systems integrated with positioning technology.
• Leica Geosystems: Part of Hexagon, offers machine control solutions for excavators including 3D guidance and surveying integration. Listed as a Vemcon platform partner for complementary 3D integration, but also competes with Vemcon's CoPilot in the broader excavator automation space.
• Hexagon: Global measurement and positioning technology group, parent of Leica Geosystems. Provides comprehensive construction machine control and digitalization solutions across the heavy equipment value chain, competing directly and indirectly with Vemcon's CoPilot platform.

Direct peers

• MOBA Mobile Automation: German manufacturer of machine control and automation systems for mobile working machines in construction, mining, and specialty industries. MOBA's excavator control offerings and 2D/3D guidance systems are the most directly comparable peer to Vemcon's CoPilot, particularly in the European DACH market.
• Prolec: UK-based provider of machine control and guidance systems for excavators, including 3D GNSS-based systems. Competes with Vemcon in the contractor retrofit segment and the OEM embedding space for semi-automated excavation control.
• iDig: Provider of 2D machine control systems for excavators, focused on the SMB and contractor retrofit market. Competes directly with Vemcon's CoPilot CPX Terminal tier for cost-sensitive retrofit deployments.

Emerging players

• Carlson Software: US-based developer of machine control software and survey data processing solutions, including excavator guidance. Carlson's machine control offerings overlap with Vemcon's CoPilot functionality, particularly for 3D and 2D excavator guidance workflows.

Regional players

• Mikrofyn: Danish manufacturer of machine control systems for construction equipment, including excavators. Primarily serves the Nordic and Northern European markets with 2D and 3D guidance solutions, partially overlapping with Vemcon's DACH-focused offering.

Others

• Stahl CraneSystems: While primarily a crane manufacturer, Stahl provides control and automation systems for material handling equipment adjacent to Vemcon's mobile machinery focus. Listed as an adjacent industrial automation player rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vemcon
• Facebookfacebook.com/vemcon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 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 Vemcon