What rt-labs does

RT-Labs is a private Swedish software firm headquartered in Göteborg, founded in 2002, that develops industrial communication protocol stacks for embedded systems. Its core products are software implementations of three major industrial Ethernet protocols — PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus TCP — sold as licensable libraries that device manufacturers integrate into their firmware for industrial automation and IoT equipment. The protocol stacks are described as pre-optimized and conformance-oriented, addressing the engineering complexity of building and certifying multi-protocol industrial connectivity in-house.

The company serves industrial automation equipment manufacturers that need reliable Ethernet-based protocol support but lack the in-house expertise or development resources to build and certify proprietary stacks. Its GTM is structured as an OEM/embedded model: in October 2025, RT-Labs joined the STMicroelectronics Partner Program, integrating its stacks directly into ST's microcontroller development environments so that any developer building on ST silicon can deploy PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus TCP with reduced integration effort. Headcount is reported in the 11–50 range. Operating geography is implicitly global via ST's distribution, though RT-Labs itself has no disclosed international offices.

The revenue model is software licensing / royalties on protocol-stack usage, with pricing not publicly disclosed. No revenue, funding, ownership, management, customer logos, or product certifications were disclosed in the available sources, and the company's own website was inaccessible during data collection. Operating status is confirmed by recent partnership activity, with no evidence of acquisitions, restructuring, or exit events.

Name

rt-labs

Website

https://rt-labs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

rt-labs is a Swedish software firm that develops and licenses industrial Ethernet protocol stacks (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP) for embedded industrial automation and IoT equipment manufacturers, distributed via the STMicroelectronics Partner Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Communication Software

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Networking & Connectivity (Industrial Ethernet, Fieldbus, IO-Link) (IMAHAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling) (HDAHAFAE)

Keywords

• Industrial protocol stacks
• Embedded industrial communication
• PROFINET software
• EtherNet/IP stack
• Modbus TCP software

Headquarters

HQ city

Göteborg

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Industrial Protocol Software Licensing: RT-Labs licenses its industrial communication protocol stacks (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP) to developers and manufacturers using STMicroelectronics microcontrollers. The integration into ST's development environment enables direct deployment of these protocol stacks.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

RT-Labs develops proprietary industrial communication protocol stacks for embedded systems, including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus TCP implementations. These stacks are licensed to industrial equipment manufacturers and integrated directly into STMicroelectronics microcontroller development environments to enable Ethernet-based industrial connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• STMicroelectronicscoreTechnology or Integration · 15 October 2025RT-Labs has joined the STMicroelectronics Partner Program to integrate its industrial communication stacks (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP) into ST's development environments and microcontroller platforms. This collaboration enables developers using ST microcontrollers to add Ethernet-based industrial protocols more easily, accelerating time-to-market for industrial connectivity solutions.

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• HMS Networks: Swedish-headquartered industrial communication specialist offering Anybus embedded protocol stacks (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, etc.). Closest direct competitor to RT-Labs in licensing industrial Ethernet software to OEMs and MCU vendors.
• Hilscher: German provider of netX communication chips and associated protocol stacks for industrial Ethernet and fieldbus. Competes directly with RT-Labs by offering embedded industrial communication IP to automation OEMs.
• Softing Industrial: Vendor of industrial connectivity products and protocol software (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA). Comparable to RT-Labs as a specialist in industrial communication software and integration tooling.
• ProSoft Technology: Schneider Electric-owned supplier of industrial protocol gateways and in-chassis communication modules. Overlaps with RT-Labs in delivering industrial Ethernet/fieldbus interoperability to OEMs.
• 3S-Smart Software Solutions (CODESYS): Vendor of the CODESYS industrial controller runtime and associated industrial communication stacks. Competes with RT-Labs at the embedded software layer for industrial automation devices.

Broad incumbents

• Beckhoff Automation: Large German automation vendor offering TwinCAT controllers with native PROFINET/EtherCAT support. Operates in the same industrial Ethernet ecosystem as RT-Labs but as a full-stack automation incumbent rather than a stack-only specialist.
• Siemens: Originator of PROFINET and provider of industrial communication software across its SIMATIC and RUGGEDCOM/SCALANCE portfolios. Sets protocol standards and competes broadly with RT-Labs in industrial Ethernet software.
• Phoenix Contact: Industrial automation and connection technology vendor with PROFINET/ EtherNet/IP-capable controllers and stack offerings. Adjacent incumbent competing for the same OEM design-in opportunities.
• Renesas Electronics: Global MCU vendor with its own industrial protocol stack ecosystem (e.g., for RX and RA families). Comparable to the STMicroelectronics side of RT-Labs' distribution model, representing both a potential partner and competitive channel.
• Infineon Technologies: Power and MCU semiconductor vendor with industrial communication offerings (XMC, ModusToolbox). Analogous to ST as a potential MCU partner/distribution channel for embedded protocol stacks like those RT-Labs provides.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 rt-labs