Papercast
Papercast designs and sells battery and solar-powered e-paper passenger information displays and cloud-based content management software for public transit authorities, bus operators, airports, and road infrastructure operators across 55+ countries, under parent company LIT Transit.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Papercast does
Papercast designs, manufactures, and sells battery and solar-powered e-paper passenger information displays for the public transit sector. The company was launched in March 2016 under the umbrella of LIT Transit, a global Intelligent Transport System provider, with its primary manufacturing and R&D operations based in Trzin, Slovenia and a regional sales office in London, UK. Papercast operates as a privately held UK-incorporated entity (Papercast Ltd) with 11-50 employees.
The product portfolio consists of outdoor and indoor e-paper displays ranging from 9.7" entry-level units to 42" premium displays, all built on E Ink technology and powered by a proprietary in-house developed quad-core E-Paper Driver (EPD) board. The company claims the driver board is 9x more energy efficient than its first generation and that displays are 140x more efficient than LCD and 250x more efficient than LED alternatives, enabling true off-grid solar or battery operation (with up to 5-year integrated battery life) without mains power or civil works. Displays are managed through a cloud-based Content Management System with native integration to open transit data standards (GTFS, GTFS RT, SIRI), a Paperstore app/widget library, optional Text-to-Speech for accessibility, Bluetooth beacons, and interactive buttons, all enclosed in IP65/IP67/IK09-rated ruggedized housings.
Papercast monetizes through a combination of hardware unit sales (with multi-year enterprise contracts and quote-based pricing), recurring subscription revenue from its cloud CMS, professional services for implementation and support, and customization services (Powered by Papercast). It sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales to transit authorities and operators, supplemented by technology integration partners (Vix Technology, ETA Transit, Gulf Business Development Group) who resell or embed Papercast into broader RTPI solutions. Customer base spans public transit authorities, bus operators (FlixBus, GTT Turin, SERFIM France), airports (Miami International), education campuses, and road infrastructure operators across 55+ countries.
Papercast firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Papercast
- Legal name
- Papercast Ltd
- Website
- https://papercast.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Papercast designs and sells battery and solar-powered e-paper passenger information displays and cloud-based content management software for public transit authorities, bus operators, airports, and road infrastructure operators across 55+ countries, under parent company LIT Transit.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Papercast industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Passenger Information Displays
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)
- SIC
- Computer & Office Equipment (3570)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business & Enterprise Monitors (Fleet/Manageable) (HDACADAD)
Keywords
Where Papercast is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Papercast business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- E-Paper Display Hardware Sales: Sale of battery and solar-powered e-paper displays in various sizes (9.7", 10", 13", 23", 25", 28", 32", 42") along with accessories including solar power kits, mounting hardware, and protective enclosures. Hardware includes ruggedized IP65-rated enclosures.
- Cloud-Based Management System: Ongoing software platform for content management, display monitoring, and diagnostics. The CMS enables remote management of display networks with integration to transit data systems.
- Professional Services and Support: Implementation support, training, and ongoing technical support services for deployment and maintenance of display networks.
- Powered by Papercast Customization: Custom branding and enclosure customization services allowing customers to apply their brand identity to displays, including custom colors via RAL matching and logo integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Entry-level 9.7" display for cost-optimized projects |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Full-size displays (13"-42") with premium features |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Papercast product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Papercast designs, manufactures, and sells battery and solar-powered e-paper displays for outdoor and indoor passenger information at transit locations such as bus stops, rail stations, airports, and highways. The displays are paired with a cloud-based content management system that integrates with open transit data standards (GTFS, GTFS RT, SIRI) to deliver real-time arrival, schedule, and service information.
Product overview
Papercast is a provider of sustainable e-paper passenger information display technology. The product portfolio consists of a unified platform of hardware and software components: outdoor and indoor e-paper displays (using E Ink technology) powered by the proprietary quad-core E-Paper Driver board, with integrated long-life battery (up to 5 years) or solar power kits; managed through the cloud-based Management System (CMS) with Paperstore apps/widgets, text-to-speech module, and CMS Plus for multi-display management; and supported by customization services (Powered by Papercast). The displays feature interactive buttons, Bluetooth beacons, and ruggedized IP67/IK09 enclosures. The system integrates with open transit data standards (GTFS, GTFS RT, SIRI) for real-time passenger information at bus stops, rail stations, airports, and highways.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Powered by Papercast: Custom branding service allowing customers to apply their brand identity to Papercast e-paper displays including enclosure colors and logos
Products and services
- E-Paper Displays Outdoor Battery and solar powered e-paper displays designed for outdoor use, featuring sunlight readability, IP67/IK09 rated enclosures, wireless connectivity, and E Ink technology with optional night-time LED illumination. Available in 13", 23", 25", 28", 32", and 42" sizes.
- E-Paper Displays Indoor Battery powered e-paper displays designed for indoor environments, with high contrast HD displays, wireless connectivity, and easy installation. Includes the 9.7" entry-level display launched in October 2019.
- Solar Power Kits
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces power consumption by 140x compared to LCD displays and 250x compared to LED displays
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Papercast
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Papercast technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Papercast partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, regional and strategic.
- MetroWest Regional Transit AuthorityminorPartnership with MetroWest RTA for Framingham State University campus shuttle display project, implementing interactive shuttle ride request functionality.
- Sunshine SignsminorDisplay installation partner for Framingham State University campus deployment, responsible for physical installation of solar-powered e-paper displays at campus parking lots.
- Vix TechnologycoreGlobal transit technology solution provider partnership bringing Papercast e-paper displays to UK transport authorities. Vix Technology offers solar powered e-paper passenger information displays as part of their RTPI solution portfolio. Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire County Councils are first UK customers under this partnership.
- Gulf Business Development GroupregionalLocal distributor and support partner for Middle East region. Collaborated with Papercast on Doha, Qatar trial deployment of solar powered e-paper bus stop displays.
- ETA TransitcoreNorth American partner providing transit systems, software and solutions. ETA Transit integrated Papercast e-paper displays with their SPOT operations management and real-time tracking system for deployments including Miami International Airport.
- Robert Bicket and Peter CaplancorePartnership with tech and telecoms entrepreneurs Robert Bicket and Peter Caplan to serve UK, European and transatlantic markets. Led to establishment of London office in October 2016 with combined 50 years experience in tech businesses.
- E InkstrategicTechnology partnership using E Ink e-paper panels in Papercast displays. E Ink technology is foundational to Papercast's outdoor-readable displays, providing high contrast HD displays with night time LED illumination.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Papercast competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Iteris: US-based intelligent transportation systems provider offering traffic management, real-time passenger information, and smart mobility infrastructure. Competes with Papercast in transit agency deployments in North America.
- Cubic Transportation Systems: Major provider of integrated transit technology including fare collection, real-time passenger information, and traffic management. Competes with Papercast as an end-to-end supplier to transit authorities.
- Swarco: Austrian-headquartered global leader in traffic management, transit signage, and smart mobility infrastructure. Competes with Papercast in the broader passenger information display and real-time transit signage market.
- Daktronics: US-based leading manufacturer of electronic display systems including LED and LCD video displays for transportation, sports, and commercial applications. Competes in the broader digital signage space where Papercast operates.
- Barco: Belgian-headquartered display technology company providing professional visualization and digital signage solutions. Competes in adjacent enterprise display markets where Papercast sells its displays.
- Siemens Mobility: Global transportation infrastructure provider offering passenger information displays, rail automation, and integrated mobility solutions. Represents an entrenched incumbent competing for the same transit agency RFPs as Papercast.
Direct peers
- Visionect: Slovenia-based developer of e-paper signage and digital signage solutions for transit, healthcare, and corporate environments. Direct competitor to Papercast in solar-powered e-paper passenger information displays.
Emerging players
- Litemax: Taiwan-based manufacturer of industrial-grade LCD displays and digital signage panels for transportation and harsh-environment applications. Competes with Papercast in transit and outdoor commercial display markets.
- Adaptive Display Solutions: Provider of e-paper and digital signage solutions for transit and smart city applications. A smaller emerging competitor in the same niche as Papercast, focused on bus stop and rail passenger information.
Others
- E Ink Corporation: Core technology partner and sole supplier of e-paper display panels used in Papercast products. A critical ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, but the relationship is foundational to Papercast's value proposition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Papercast social profiles
Digital presencePapercast financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Papercast leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Papercast funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Papercast 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 Papercast
What does Papercast do?
Papercast designs, manufactures, and sells battery and solar-powered e-paper displays for outdoor and indoor passenger information at transit locations such as bus stops, rail stations, airports, and highways. The displays are paired with a cloud-based content management system that integrates with open transit data standards (GTFS, GTFS RT, SIRI) to deliver real-time arrival, schedule, and service information.
Is Papercast a public or private company?
Papercast is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Papercast founded?
Papercast was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Papercast based?
Papercast is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Papercast make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. E-Paper Display Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are cloud-Based Management System, professional Services and Support and powered by Papercast Customization.
Who are Papercast's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Iteris, Cubic Transportation Systems, Swarco, Daktronics, Barco and Siemens Mobility. Visionect is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are Litemax and Adaptive Display Solutions. E Ink Corporation is listed as an others.
Does Papercast have an API?
Yes. Cloud-based management system offers API integration for connecting with external systems and data sources. The platform supports integration with open data feed standards including GTFS, GTFS RT, and SIRI for real-time arrival information.
What industry is Papercast in?
Papercast's product category is Passenger Information Displays. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACADAD, Business & Enterprise Monitors (Fleet/Manageable). Its NAICS code is 3343 and its SIC code is 3570.