MicroNova
MicroNova AG is a privately held German engineering company (~300 employees) that builds the proprietary NovaCarts Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation platform and EXAM test automation software for automotive, aerospace, medical technology, and wind energy clients, while also selling COM5 telco software and distributing ManageEngine, monday.com, and Kissflow in Germany.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersVierkirchen, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What MicroNova does
MicroNova AG is a privately held German technology company founded in 1987 and headquartered in Vierkirchen near Munich, operating across three divisions with approximately 300 employees and eight offices in Germany and the Czech Republic. The Testing Solutions division is the core business, built around the proprietary NovaCarts Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulation platform — comprising 15+ in-house developed FPGA-based boards and modules (including Zynq UltraScale+ high-speed I/O boards, CAN modules, backplanes, battery cell emulation, and failure insertion boards) — paired with the EXAM test automation software suite that covers version control, test cloud execution, CI/CD integration via Jenkins, ALM synchronization, and ISO 26262 functional safety qualification. Customers span automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers (Audi, BMW, Bosch, Continental, Porsche, Volkswagen, ZF Friedrichshafen, Siemens, Marquardt, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge), with adjacent applications in medical technology and wind energy.
The Telco Solutions division sells the COM5 product family (Mobile Audit, Mobile Optimizer, Mobile Integrator, SDN Mediator) to mobile network operators including Telefónica Germany and Vodafone for network planning, configuration management, and software-defined networking mediation. The Enterprise Solutions division operates as the exclusive German distributor for ManageEngine IT management software and an authorized distributor for monday.com and Kissflow workflow platforms, generating distribution margin revenue.
MicroNova's business model combines high-ASP HiL hardware sales, recurring software licensing (perpetual and subscription, with dongle, named-user, node-locked, and floating network license types), professional services (consulting, virtual ECU development, on-site support), and training/certification programs. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with custom quotations for Testing Solutions, sales-led direct sales for Telco, and channel distribution for Enterprise Solutions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts are typically multi-year with high switching costs driven by ISO 26262 re-qualification requirements and deep technical integration.
MicroNova firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MicroNova
- Legal name
- MicroNova AG
- Website
- https://micronova.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- MicroNova AG is a privately held German engineering company (~300 employees) that builds the proprietary NovaCarts Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation platform and EXAM test automation software for automotive, aerospace, medical technology, and wind energy clients, while also selling COM5 telco software and distributing ManageEngine, monday.com, and Kissflow in Germany.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MicroNova industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Test Automation and Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation Software
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)
Keywords
Where MicroNova is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vierkirchen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
MicroNova business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Testing Solutions (HiL Hardware & Software): Sale of NovaCarts hardware-in-the-loop simulators, boards, modules, and associated software licenses. Includes perpetual and subscription license models for software. Revenue generated from product sales, licenses, and related services.
- Software Licensing (NovaCarts & EXAM): Licensing of proprietary testing software including NovaCarts Test Operation Software, Real-Time Software, Rest Bus Simulation, and EXAM test automation. Multiple license types offered: dongle license, named user license, node-locked license, floating network license, and evaluation license. Both perpetual and subscription models available.
- Enterprise Software Distribution: Revenue from distribution margins on ManageEngine IT management software (exclusive German partner), monday.com project management solution, and Kissflow workflow management solution as authorized distributor.
- Professional Services (Consulting & Training): Test consulting services, virtual ECU development, standard compliance consulting, on-site services, and training courses for NovaCarts and EXAM products. Training offered as open sessions, in-house courses, and individual exclusive sessions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Software License Types: Dongle License, Named User License, Node-Locked License, Floating Network License, Evaluation License |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Perpetual License: one-time fee for unlimited use period |
| Subscription | Annual | Subscription License: recurring fee for fixed term usage |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Training: Open courses, In-house courses, Individual exclusive sessions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based enterprise pricing for Testing Solutions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
MicroNova product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MicroNova develops and sells Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulation hardware and software (NovaCarts platform) along with the EXAM test automation software suite for validating electronic control units in automotive, aerospace, medical technology, and wind energy applications. The company also delivers COM5 software products for mobile network planning, optimization, and SDN mediation, and acts as the exclusive German distribution partner for ManageEngine, monday.com, and Kissflow enterprise software.
Product overview
MicroNova is a technology company with three main divisions: Testing Solutions (NovaCarts HiL-Simulation and EXAM Testautomation), Telco Solutions (COM5 mobile network products), and Enterprise Solutions (distribution of ManageEngine, monday.com, and Kissflow). The Testing Solutions division offers a comprehensive Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulation platform comprising NovaCarts HiL-Simulatoren (Battery, eEngine, Engine, Fuel Cell, Component Test Rack, Systemprüfplätze) and extensive hardware boards/modules (High Speed I/O Board NC-GMB3010, CAN Multi I/O Module NC-GMM3010, Backplane NC-BPM4400, plus 12 additional board types), supported by software for real-time simulation, rest bus simulation, test operation, I/O API, tracing, FPGA toolchain, automotive Ethernet, and EtherCAT. The EXAM test automation suite includes version control, test cloud controller, test case generator, Jenkins plug-in, ALM synchronizer, and ISO 26262 QKit. The Telco division provides COM5.Mobile Audit, COM5.Mobile Optimizer, COM5.Mobile Integrator, and COM5.SDN Mediator for mobile network planning and optimization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NovaCarts: Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) simulation products including simulators, boards, modules, virtualization solutions, and software for testing electronic control units in automotive and other industries
- EXAM
- COM5
Products and services
- NovaCarts HiL Simulation Platform Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation platform with dedicated simulator models for battery, electric engine, combustion engine, fuel cell, component test rack, and system test benches, used by automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to validate electronic control units before physical prototypes.
- EXAM Test Automation Test automation software suite for ECU development including version control, distributed test execution via test cloud controller, automated test case generation, Jenkins CI/CD plug-in, ALM synchronization, and ISO 26262 functional safety QKit for automotive safety compliance.
- COM5.Mobile Audit Mobile network audit software for telecommunications operators to assess and document the state of mobile network configurations.
- COM5.Mobile Optimizer Mobile network optimization software for improving coverage and performance of mobile networks for telecommunications operators.
- COM5.Mobile Integrator Mobile network integration platform for telecommunications operators to integrate and manage systems across the network lifecycle.
- COM5.SDN Mediator Software-Defined Networking mediation software for telecom network virtualization, enabling operators to manage SDN controllers and underlying network elements.
- Test Consulting Services Consulting engagements for test strategy and methodology in electronics testing, including Virtual ECU development and standard compliance consulting, delivered to automotive and industrial customers.
- NovaCarts and EXAM Training Services Training services for NovaCarts HiL simulation products and EXAM test automation framework, offered as open sessions, in-house courses, and individual exclusive sessions with structured cancellation and billing terms.
- ManageEngine Distribution (Germany) Exclusive German distribution of ManageEngine IT management software suite, supporting IT infrastructure administration and monitoring for German enterprise customers.
- monday.com Distribution (Germany) Authorized German distribution of the monday.com project and workflow management platform suite including monday work management, monday CRM, WorkForms, WorkCanvas, monday dev, monday service, and monday AI Agents.
- Kissflow Distribution (Germany) Authorized German distribution of Kissflow low-code workflow management solution for business process digitization.
Quantifiable outcome
- Hardware-in-the-Loop market projected to reach $1.38 billion by 2030 at 11.1% CAGR
Companies that use MicroNova
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MicroNova technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
MicroNova partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AutocryptcoreStrategic partnership for automotive cybersecurity announced February 2024. Collaboration to promote automotive cybersecurity solutions, integrating Autocrypt's cybersecurity expertise with MicroNova's HiL testing platform to address growing security requirements in automotive electronics development.
- ManageEnginecoreExclusive German distribution partner for ManageEngine IT management software. MicroNova distributes ManageEngine products that help IT administrators with administration and monitoring of IT infrastructures. Partnership covers the full ManageEngine product portfolio.
- monday.comcoreAuthorized distributor for monday.com project and workflow management solution. MicroNova provides sales, consulting, and support for the monday.com product suite including monday work management, monday CRM, WorkForms, WorkCanvas, monday dev, monday service, and monday AI Agents.
- KissflowminorNew partnership announced July 2024 for distribution of Kissflow low-code workflow management solution in Germany. Part of MicroNova's Enterprise Solutions division focusing on process digitalization for German businesses.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MicroNova competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- dSPACE GmbH: dSPACE is the leading German provider of hardware-in-the-loop simulation and validation tools for automotive ECUs. It is the most direct competitor to MicroNova's NovaCarts platform, serving the same automotive OEMs and Tier-1s with overlapping HiL, software-in-the-loop, and test automation offerings.
- Vector Informatik: Vector is a German automotive electronics development tools vendor offering CAN/Ethernet tools, test automation, and ECU calibration that overlap with MicroNova's EXAM and NovaCarts test ecosystem. Comparable in customer base, geographic focus, and proprietary automotive test software stack.
- ETAS (Bosch subsidiary): ETAS offers automotive ECU testing, validation, and security solutions including HiL and middleware. Direct competitor for MicroNova in automotive test tools, with the additional backing of Bosch as both a customer and parent-affiliated supplier.
- IPG Automotive: IPG Automotive specializes in simulation solutions for vehicle dynamics, ADAS, and powertrains, with overlap into HiL testing use cases. Directly comparable as a German-headquartered automotive simulation specialist serving the same OEM and Tier-1 customers.
- AVL List GmbH: AVL provides powertrain and vehicle development tools including HiL test systems for combustion, hybrid, and electric drivetrains. Directly overlaps with MicroNova's NovaCarts Engine, eEngine, and battery testing offerings, particularly for European OEMs.
Broad incumbents
- NI (formerly National Instruments, Emerson): NI provides broad test, measurement, and HiL platforms (PXI, VeriStand) used across automotive, aerospace, and industrial testing. Larger than MicroNova and broader in scope, but directly competes in FPGA-based HiL systems for ECU validation.
- Siemens (Simcenter portfolio): Siemens Simcenter offers a broad simulation and test portfolio (including Simcenter Amesim, SCADE, and HEEDS) covering HiL, model-based systems engineering, and digital twin. Larger incumbent with overlapping automotive and aerospace test capabilities and existing OEM footprint (Siemens is also a MicroNova customer).
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight provides electronic measurement and test solutions used in automotive electronics validation, ADAS, and connected car development. Overlaps with MicroNova in electrical signal testing and HiL adjacent workflows, though broader in scope.
Emerging players
- Konrad Technologies: Konrad Technologies delivers HiL and functional test systems for automotive and aerospace electronics. Comparable as a smaller specialist in the HiL space, focusing on test system integration and FPGA-based platforms similar to NovaCarts.
- Opal-RT Technologies: Opal-RT provides real-time digital simulation and HiL platforms used in automotive, aerospace, and power systems testing. Comparable in the FPGA/real-time HiL segment MicroNova serves, though with a stronger North American footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MicroNova social profiles
Digital presenceMicroNova compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
MicroNova financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MicroNova leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
MicroNova subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
MicroNova funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MicroNova 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 MicroNova
What does MicroNova do?
MicroNova develops and sells Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulation hardware and software (NovaCarts platform) along with the EXAM test automation software suite for validating electronic control units in automotive, aerospace, medical technology, and wind energy applications. The company also delivers COM5 software products for mobile network planning, optimization, and SDN mediation, and acts as the exclusive German distribution partner for ManageEngine, monday.com, and Kissflow enterprise software.
Is MicroNova a public or private company?
MicroNova is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MicroNova founded?
MicroNova was founded in 1987. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is MicroNova based?
MicroNova is headquartered in Vierkirchen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does MicroNova make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Testing Solutions (HiL Hardware & Software) is the primary driver. The others are software Licensing (NovaCarts & EXAM), enterprise Software Distribution and professional Services (Consulting & Training).
Who are MicroNova's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are dSPACE GmbH, Vector Informatik, ETAS (Bosch subsidiary), IPG Automotive and AVL List GmbH. Broad incumbents are NI (formerly National Instruments, Emerson), Siemens (Simcenter portfolio) and Keysight Technologies. Emerging players are Konrad Technologies and Opal-RT Technologies.
Does MicroNova have an API?
No public API is recorded for MicroNova.
What industry is MicroNova in?
MicroNova's product category is Test Automation and Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAN, Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment. Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3825.