Crownstone

What Crownstone does

Crownstone, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, designs and manufactures Bluetooth mesh-based indoor positioning hardware and software for smart buildings. The company was spun off from research firm Almende in 2016 and operates with a small team (1-10 employees) led by founder Anne van Rossum and CTO Peet van Tooren. Its core product is an Indoor Positioning System (IPS) consisting of Crownstone built-in modules installed behind power outlets or ceiling lights, a Bluetooth mesh network with multi-hop routing, a central communication hub, and an SDK for third-party integration. The system delivers room-level localization of people and assets, with AI-assisted room detection trained by user walk-throughs, and supports integrations with Home Assistant, Homey, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Philips Hue, plus a Crownstone USB Dongle and Switchcraft wall-switch adapter.

Crownstone monetizes through hardware sales of Crownstone built-ins, SDK and software licensing for makers of location-aware applications, and enterprise/B2B solutions sold via quote-based multi-year contracts. Primary go-to-market motions are API-first SDK distribution to software developers and direct enterprise field sales, supplemented by iOS/Android consumer apps and partnerships with Blyott (healthcare asset tracking) and StandBy Solutions (BHV/ERO safety). Named customer segments include makers of location-aware applications, healthcare organizations, workplace safety/ERO management, and smart-home consumers; key reference deployments include a Chilean hospital asset-tracking installation via Blyott and the StandBy Solutions ERO presence detection integration. The company also participates in pan-European research consortia (DAIS, Gociety, Brains4Buildings) alongside its continuing research collaboration with Almende.

Pricing is not publicly disclosed; prospects are routed through free consultations, downloadable brochures, and case studies. The company maintains a content-driven marketing presence via its website, newsletter, LinkedIn, and an Ultimate Guide to IPS. No public funding rounds beyond an early 2016 seed from Almende Investments and Rockstart are disclosed, and no revenue figures are publicly available.

Name

Crownstone

Legal name

Crownstone

Website

https://crownstone.rocks

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Crownstone, a Rotterdam-based spin-off from Almende, builds Bluetooth mesh indoor positioning hardware and an SDK that delivers room-level localization of people and assets for makers of location-aware applications, healthcare organizations, workplace safety operators, and smart-home consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indoor Positioning Systems

akta.pro primary industry

Indoor Mapping & Wayfinding Platforms (BPAMANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enterprise & Private App Stores (MDM/MAM) (BPAMADAE), Geofencing, Proximity & Location-Based Engagement Platforms (BPAMANAJ)

Keywords

• Indoor positioning systems
• Bluetooth mesh networks
• Asset tracking hardware
• Smart building technology
• Indoor localization SDK

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Crownstone Built-ins: Sale of Crownstone built-in Bluetooth devices that are installed behind power outlets and ceiling lights. These devices form the mesh network infrastructure and enable indoor positioning capabilities.
2. SDK/Software Licensing: Crownstone SDK enables third-party developers to integrate indoor positioning capabilities into their applications. Revenue generated through licensing of software development kit for location-aware applications.
3. Enterprise/B2B Solutions: Direct B2B sales of indoor positioning systems to enterprises for employee safety, asset tracking, and facility management applications. StandBy Solutions and healthcare organizations are examples of B2B customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Crownstone designs, manufactures, and licenses a Bluetooth mesh-based Indoor Positioning System (IPS) that delivers room-level localization of people and assets. The system combines Crownstone Built-in hardware modules installed behind power outlets or ceiling lights, mesh network firmware, a Communication Hub gateway, and a Software Development Kit (SDK) that lets third-party developers integrate indoor positioning into their applications. A companion mobile app for iOS and Android enables consumer smart-home use cases such as presence-based lighting and energy monitoring.

Product overview

Crownstone offers a unified Indoor Positioning System (IPS) consisting of Crownstone built-in modules (Bluetooth devices installed behind power outlets or ceiling lights), the Crownstone Mesh network (mesh firmware enabling multi-hop communication), a Communication Hub (central gateway for external integrations), and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for third-party app integration. The Crownstone App serves as the companion mobile application for iOS and Android that both manages the mesh network and acts as a detection device. Optional accessories include the Crownstone USB Dongle for local control without smartphone, and Switchcraft for integrating existing wall switches. The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to provide room-level indoor positioning for tracking people and assets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crownstone Indoor Positioning System (IPS) A Bluetooth mesh-based indoor positioning system that provides room-level localization of people and assets in buildings. The IPS consists of Crownstone Built-in modules, a Communication Hub, detection devices, and an SDK for third-party integration, targeted at software developers and enterprises building location-aware applications.
• Crownstone Mesh Network A Bluetooth mesh network created using Crownstone Built-in hardware and mesh firmware that enables communication between Crownstones with multi-hop message routing and reliable data transmission to a central Communication Hub.
• Crownstone Built-in Modules Bluetooth devices installed behind power outlets or ceiling lights. They are mains-powered (no batteries required), can measure energy usage at device level, and form the mesh network infrastructure for indoor positioning.
• Crownstone Communication Hub A central gateway between the Crownstone mesh network, Crownstone Cloud, and external systems, enabling reliable data exchange with third-party applications, cloud services, and building infrastructure such as fire detectors.
• Crownstone SDK A software development kit that allows third-party apps to connect to the Crownstone IPS, communicating localization data, presence information, and other sensor data directly into their applications.
• Crownstone App Companion mobile app available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store that enables setup and management of the Crownstone mesh network, acts as a detection device in the mesh, and provides smart-home functionality with presence-based automatic lighting.
• Crownstone USB Dongle A hardware accessory that provides independent switching of Crownstones without a smartphone, enables power and energy usage monitoring, and allows local control of Crownstones when internet connectivity is unavailable.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant cost reduction for hospitals through optimized asset management and reduced equipment purchases
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AlmendecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrownstone originated from an innovation project at Almende, a technology and innovation-driven R&D company in Rotterdam. Crownstone was split off from Almende in 2016 to further develop the power plug built-ins and IPS. Crownstone and Almende continue to collaborate on creating groundbreaking solutions for transforming indoor spaces and work on various research projects where the power of Crownstone IPS is an important asset.
• BlyottcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrownstone and Blyott have joined forces to provide healthcare organizations with cutting-edge asset-tracking solutions. Crownstone's Bluetooth mesh technology provides the foundation for accurate asset tracking while Blyott's expertise in healthcare ensures the solution is tailored to hospital needs. Blyott BLE tags attached to hospital assets are localized using Crownstone's mesh network, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring.
• StandBy SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationStandBy Solutions uses Crownstone IPS to enable accurate indoor localization for their BHV-app (Emergency Response Officer app). The integration allows automatic detection of ERO presence on floor and room level within buildings. When an emergency occurs, the nearest ERO can be immediately alerted based on their precise location.
• DAIS Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAIS (Distributed Artificial Intelligent System) is a pan-European project bringing faster, more secure, and energy-efficient data processing through edge AI software and hardware. Crownstone's ability to run micro-apps with custom code enables in-network localization and application identification in a distributed manner.
• Gociety ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGociety project focuses on presence detection in healthcare. Crownstone is responsible for developing a new compound sensor system for detecting unusual behavior in households of people with dementia, including device-free indoor positioning research.
• Brains4Buildings ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrains4Buildings project focuses on leveraging big data from smart meters, BMS, and IoT devices to reduce energy consumption and increase comfort. Power and energy visualizations powered by Crownstone data are part of project goals.
• Home AssistantcoreTechnology or IntegrationHome Assistant is an open-source platform for smart home integration that works with Crownstone. Users can control Crownstone switching and dimming, and receive presence updates through Home Assistant. Supports Crownstone USB dongle for local control without smartphone and power/energy usage monitoring.
• HomeycoreTechnology or IntegrationCrownstone app for Homey allows Crownstones to react to user presence and integrate with other Homey-connected devices. Users can create flows where Crownstones and Philips Hue lights work together based on presence detection and time triggers.
• Google HomecoreTechnology or IntegrationCrownstone integrates with Google Home allowing switching and dimming of Crownstones directly in the Google Home app. Supports Google routines and voice commands through Google Assistant for hands-free control.
• Amazon AlexacoreTechnology or IntegrationCrownstone Alexa skill allows voice control of Crownstone devices through Alexa. Users can control lights with voice commands like 'Alexa, dim the lights' after enabling the Crownstone skill.
• BHV/ERO App DeveloperscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch workplace safety app developers integrate Crownstone IPS to enable automatic ERO (Emergency Response Officer) presence detection. Apps can register when EROs enter or exit the workspace, providing real-time insight into ERO availability.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Aruba (HPE): Aruba offers Wi-Fi- and BLE-based indoor location services as part of its broader enterprise networking portfolio, including Meridian location services. Competes with Crownstone in indoor positioning but with a much wider networking stack and installed base.
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra offers MotionWorks and BLE/RFID-based location solutions for healthcare and industrial asset tracking. Comparable enterprise customer base (hospitals, logistics) but operates at much greater scale across a broad hardware portfolio.
• Inpixon: Inpixon provides indoor mapping, positioning, and analytics combining Wi-Fi, BLE, and other sensors. Competes directly with Crownstone in indoor positioning and asset tracking while serving larger enterprises.
• Juniper Mist (Mist Systems): Juniper Mist delivers AI-driven Wi-Fi with BLE-based indoor location services for enterprises. Overlaps with Crownstone in BLE indoor positioning but bundled with full enterprise networking.
• Cisco (DNA Spaces): Cisco DNA Spaces provides indoor location and analytics built on its Wi-Fi access points and BLE gateway hardware. Overlaps with Crownstone in BLE/Wi-Fi indoor positioning, but as part of a much larger enterprise IT portfolio.

Direct peers

• Sewio Networks: Sewio delivers UWB and BLE-based RTLS for industrial and indoor asset tracking, with a partner/integrator channel. Comparable to Crownstone in target use cases (asset tracking, indoor positioning) and emphasis on third-party app integration.
• Kontakt.io: Kontakt.io offers BLE beacons, gateways, and an indoor location/cloud platform with SDK for healthcare and enterprise asset tracking. Directly comparable to Crownstone's BLE hardware-plus-SDK positioning offering for healthcare and workplace use cases.
• Estimote: Estimote designs BLE beacons and indoor location SDKs aimed at developers and enterprise pilots. Similar product surface (BLE hardware + developer SDK) and overlapping smart-building/retail use cases.
• Quuppa: Quuppa provides Bluetooth Low Energy-based real-time location systems with room/zone-level accuracy, sold largely via SDK and partner integrators. Closely comparable to Crownstone in technology stack (BLE), positioning model, and developer/API-first go-to-market.

Others

• Philips Hue: Philips Hue is a leading smart-lighting platform that integrates with Crownstone via Homey for presence-based lighting control. Relevant as a partner/ecosystem peer in the smart-home automation stack rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crownstone
• Xx.com/CrownstoneRocks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Crownstone