What MRC does

MRC (legal name: michaels, ross & cole, ltd.) is a privately-held global software company founded in 1994 that develops and sells m-Power, a Java-based low-code web application development platform. The platform operates on open architecture, natively connecting to JDBC-compatible databases (Db2, Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL) and deploying to Windows, Linux, or AIX environments. Its defining technical proposition is that m-Power generates standard code that runs independently of the platform, eliminating vendor lock-in, with a 4-step drag-and-drop build process that the company claims reduces development time by 50-80%. The platform supports a broad application surface: dashboards, BI/reporting, CRM, workflow, scheduling, budgeting, web forms, ERP extensions, mobile apps, B2B portals, embedded analytics, and legacy modernization.

MRC monetizes through a dual-model structure: perpetual software licenses (the 'most popular' option, with no per-user, per-application, or distribution fees) and an optional yearly subscription, supplemented by professional services including custom development ('Built For You'), in-person training, and mentoring. Distribution combines a product-led growth motion (free demos that build a working app over the prospect's data in 60 minutes) with direct enterprise sales for larger deployments. The company serves 1,500+ customers across multiple verticals - manufacturing, government, foodservice distribution, healthcare, logistics, software vendors, and software consultants - with named enterprise logos including Medline, Abbott, Schlage, and General Binding Corporation. MRC's most recent product layer adds AI Assistants, AI Chatbots, AI Workflows, and AI Agents as integrated modules that work over business data through customer-chosen LLMs.

MRC operates from two offices: Oak Brook, Illinois (US headquarters) and London, UK. The company is small (11-50 employees) relative to its 30-year operating history and 1,500+ cumulative customer base, implying a lean, services-light operating model. The company is privately held with no parent organization, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity disclosed in the available materials.

Name

MRC

Legal name

michaels, ross & cole, ltd.

Website

https://mrcuk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MRC is a privately-held software company that sells m-Power, a Java-based low-code platform for building custom web applications, ERP extensions, and AI workflows. Founded in 1994, it serves 1,500+ customers across manufacturing, government, healthcare, foodservice, and software via perpetual licensing, subscriptions, and professional services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses (Perpetual): Primary revenue stream from perpetual software licenses. Customers purchase m-Power once and own the software forever with unlimited data, users, and applications. This provides predictable, one-time revenue with high customer lifetime value.
2. Software Subscriptions: Yearly subscription option available as an alternative to perpetual licensing, providing ongoing access to the platform with updates and support.
3. Professional Services and Consulting: Custom development services where mrc's services team builds applications for customers ('Built For You' option). Includes in-person training classes, consulting, and mentoring services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MRC sells m-Power, a Java-based low-code development platform that enables organizations to build custom web applications, database front-ends, dashboards, reporting, workflows, and AI assistants/chatbots/agents over their existing data and systems. The platform generates standard code in standard languages, deploys on-premise, in the cloud, or hybrid, and runs on Windows, Linux, or AIX. Customers can purchase m-Power via perpetual license or yearly subscription, with unlimited users, applications, and data and no vendor lock-in.

Product overview

MRC offers m-Power as a unified low-code web application development platform with AI capabilities. The core platform (m-Power) enables rapid custom application development with no vendor lock-in through perpetual licensing. Built on top of m-Power are AI modules including AI Assistants, AI Chatbots, AI Workflows, and AI Agents that integrate directly into business applications and workflows. MRC also provides professional services including custom development, training, and mentoring. The platform supports building various application types including dashboards, reporting/BI, database front-ends, CRM systems, portals, workflow automation, budgeting, and modernization solutions. The platform integrates natively with JDBC-compatible databases (Db2, Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL) and can consume/expose REST services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• m-Power: Low-code development platform for building custom web applications, AI assistants, chatbots, workflows, and agents. Enables enterprises to build business applications without vendor lock-in.

Products and services

• m-Power Low-Code Development Platform Java-based low-code development platform that enables organizations to build custom web applications, database front-ends, dashboards, reporting, workflow, and AI assistants/chatbots/agents over existing data and systems. Generates standard code using standard languages and frameworks so applications run independently of m-Power.
• Custom Development Services Custom software development services delivered by MRC's services team to design and build fully customized, production-ready web applications for customers who prefer an assisted engagement over self-service.
• Training Programs In-person, customized training classes that teach customer teams how to develop with the m-Power low-code platform.
• Mentoring Services Expert mentoring and hands-on support delivered by m-Power consultants to help customers with development questions and project execution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced development time by 50-80% compared to traditional methods
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OutSystems: OutSystems is a leading low-code application development platform competing head-to-head with m-Power in custom web and mobile app development for the enterprise. Like m-Power it targets rapid application delivery and ERP/legacy extension use cases.
• Mendix (Siemens): Mendix is a direct low-code platform competitor now owned by Siemens, used to build custom web and mobile applications, workflows, and AI-enabled processes. It overlaps with m-Power in custom app development, ERP extensions, and multi-persona developer tooling.
• Appian: Appian is a low-code automation platform focused on process automation, custom applications, and AI-driven workflows. It competes directly with m-Power's workflow engine, CRM, and process automation capabilities, particularly in regulated industries.
• Quickbase: Quickbase is a no-code/low-code platform focused on SMB and mid-market custom applications, workflow automation, and reporting — a similar buyer profile to several of m-Power's manufacturing, foodservice, and field-services customers.
• Caspio: Caspio is a low-code platform for building database-driven web applications, forms, and portals without coding. Its unlimited-users pricing and SMB/mid-market focus closely mirror m-Power's perpetual, no-per-seat positioning.
• Zoho Creator: Zoho Creator is a low-code application platform for building custom web and mobile apps, workflows, and dashboards, often positioned at SMB and mid-market buyers similar to m-Power's customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Power Apps: Microsoft Power Apps is part of the broader Power Platform and competes with m-Power in low-code custom application development, workflow automation, and AI-assisted app building. As a Microsoft 365 incumbent it brings bundled distribution and significant pricing pressure.
• ServiceNow App Engine: ServiceNow's App Engine lets enterprises build custom apps and workflows on the ServiceNow platform, overlapping with m-Power's workflow, AI assistant, and process automation capabilities. As a much larger incumbent it competes for the same digital transformation budgets.
• Salesforce Lightning Platform: Salesforce's Lightning Platform enables custom app and workflow development on the Salesforce ecosystem, with embedded AI (Einstein). It competes with m-Power's custom CRM and embedded analytics offerings, particularly in mid-market and enterprise deals.

Emerging players

• Retool: Retool is a low-code platform for building internal tools and dashboards over existing databases and APIs, similar to m-Power's database front-ends and reporting portal use cases. It targets a younger, more developer-centric buyer than m-Power but overlaps on data-driven app building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mrc-uk-ltd

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 MRC