What Novatec does

Novatec Corporation (ノバテック株式会社) is a privately held Japanese company founded in May 1987, headquartered in Tokyo (recently relocated to Ota-ku in November 2025), operating two distinct divisions under a single corporate entity. The Solution Department delivers proposal-based embedded product development services, AI/DL-powered manufacturing inspection systems (nFactory and its chip detection module), hardware-based IoT security via VIA PUF (Secure IoT), and digital media/IoT controller solutions (nMedia, nMedia 4K, nSmart). The Filter Department manufactures and sells industrial filters — including the Air Pure Premium consumer car air conditioner filter, oil filters, long-life EDM filters, and an ion exchange resin recycling system — leveraging 30+ years of manufacturing history. The company employs 11-50 staff and operates a wholly owned subsidiary, Novatec Solutions, Inc., for software activities.

Novatec's core technology stack centers on a proprietary image inspection engine, an embedded Deep Learning framework supporting major ML libraries (Chainer, Caffe, TensorFlow) and cloud AI platforms, and VIA PUF-based hardware Root of Trust security. Its nFactory platform integrates GigE/WiFi/USB cameras (supporting 20+ cameras per inspection PC), PLC systems, and notification infrastructure including LINE and email. nMedia solutions support 4K, HDR10, ATSC3, and DVB-T2 standards for digital signage and connected devices. The company's go-to-market combines direct enterprise/consultative sales for solution products with e-commerce distribution (Rakuten, Amazon) and crowdfunding launches (Makuake) for consumer filters.

Novatec generates revenue through three streams: (1) professional services for embedded product development from planning to mass production; (2) one-time licensing of AI/IoT software solutions like nFactory; and (3) hardware sales of industrial and automotive filters. Customer segments include automotive and industrial filter buyers (individual consumers, repair shops, EDM operators), manufacturing/factory customers deploying visual inspection, and Japanese electronics manufacturers developing networked products. The company maintains strategic partnerships with domestic and overseas SoC manufacturers, software vendors, and EMS partners that enable its full-lifecycle product support model.

Name

Novatec

Legal name

ノバテック株式会社 (Novatec Corporation)

Website

https://novatec.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Novatec Corporation is a privately held Japanese firm operating two divisions: an embedded AI/IoT solutions business (nFactory visual inspection, VIA PUF Secure IoT, nMedia/nSmart) serving electronics manufacturers and factories, and a 30+ year industrial filter manufacturing business serving automotive and EDM customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Embedded AI Solutions

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Embedded & HMI Electronics Manufacturing (Industrial PCs, HMIs, Panel PCs) (IMAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote Access & Privileged Access for OT (ZTA/PAM for Vendors) (HDADAJAG), Automotive & Industrial ICs (ADAS/Powertrain/Factory/Robotics) (HDAHABAD)

Keywords

• Embedded AI solutions
• Visual inspection systems
• Industrial IoT security
• Digital media embedded
• Automotive air filters

Headquarters

HQ city

Setagaya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Embedded Product Solution Development: Custom software and hardware development services for networked products and digital content devices, from planning through mass production with EMS partners.
2. Industrial Filter Sales: Manufacturing and sales of industrial filters including car air conditioner filters (PF/AF series), oil filters, EDM filters, and ion exchange resin systems. 30+ year history with mass production track record.
3. AI/IoT Software Solutions: nFactory visual inspection systems, Secure IoT solutions, and software packages sold as turnkey solutions with minimal customization requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Novatec Corporation develops and sells embedded AI/IoT solutions and industrial filters. The Solution Department provides proposal-based development of nFactory automated visual inspection systems, Secure IoT hardware-security modules (VIA PUF technology), nMedia/nMedia 4K embedded digital media solutions, and nSmart IoT controllers, supporting clients from prototyping through mass production. The Filter Department manufactures and sells automotive air conditioner filters (Air Pure Premium), industrial filters, oil filters, EDM long-life filters, and ion exchange resin recycling systems.

Product overview

Novatec operates two main divisions: the Solution Department offering AI-powered manufacturing solutions, and the Filter Department manufacturing industrial filters. The Solution division centers on nFactory (automated visual inspection system) with its chip detection module, complemented by Secure IoT (PUF-based security), nMedia/nMedia 4K (digital media solutions), and AI/DL technology platforms. The Filter division provides a 30-year legacy product line including Air Pure Premium car filters, industrial filters (PF/AF series), oil filters, EDM long-life filters, and ion exchange resin recycling systems. The company positions itself as an IT solution provider supporting customers from prototyping to mass production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• nMedia: Digital media content solution for handling video, photos, and network-connected devices
• nFactory
• nSmart
• Air Pure Premium

Products and services

• nFactory Visual Inspection Solution Automated visual inspection and equipment monitoring package solution for manufacturing processes. Integrates proprietary image inspection engine with optional Deep Learning/ML AI for defect detection. Supports multiple camera interfaces (GigE, WiFi, USB) and Edge Server architecture. For factories and manufacturing sites.
• nFactory Chip Detection System Integrated chip detection module for nFactory that identifies foreign objects (chips) in manufacturing. Features easy setup, GigE camera support for 20+ cameras per PC, PLC integration for cutting stop control, and notification via email/LINE/patrol lights. For resin processing factories and manufacturing sites.
• Secure IoT (セキュアIoT) IoT security solution using VIA PUF (Physical Unclonable Function) technology for hardware-based Root of Trust. Provides VIA PUF-based security ICs (G1, G3) that generate unclonable encryption keys within the IC. For IoT device manufacturers and embedded system developers.
• nMedia/IoT Solution Digital media and IoT controller solutions including nMedia for media playback devices and nSmart for IoT device control. Supports DLNA, YouTube streaming, VOD services, and multiple RF protocols (Z-Wave/ZigBee/WiFi). For set-top box, media player, and connected device manufacturers.
• nMedia 4K Solution UHD (4K/8K) product development solution lineup including AIO Board, SOM (System-On-Module), and SOM Evaluation Board. Supports 4K, HDR10, ATSC3 tuner, DVB-T2 tuner, and UHD Blu-ray playback. For digital signage and media device manufacturers.
• AI (DL) Technology Deep Learning framework-based AI solutions for embedded systems and cloud environments. Supports Chainer, Caffe, TensorFlow, and cloud AI platforms (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM). Applied to visual inspection and manufacturing quality control. For embedded systems and factory automation developers.
• Air Pure Premium (エアピュアプレミアム) High-performance car air conditioner filter achieving 99%+ removal of pollen, Asian dust, PM2.5, and microparticles. Available in multiple product lines (PF-1009, PF-1014, PF-7003, PF-3006-PF-7010, PF-8005) compatible with various vehicle models. Won CGP Award 2024 Spatial Comfort Award. For individual car owners and automotive repair shops.
• Industrial Filters (PF/AF Series) 30-year legacy product line of industrial filters including car air conditioner filters (PF/AF series). For automotive, HVAC, and industrial customers.
• Oil Filters Automotive oil filters compatible with major Japanese vehicle manufacturers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Daihatsu). For automotive aftermarket and repair shops.
• Long-Life Filters (EDM) EDM wire-cut filters with long-life design using high-precision filter paper and low pressure loss structure. Compatible with Mitsubishi, Makino, Fanuc, Brother, Hitachi, Sodick, and西部電機 equipment. For EDM machine users and machine shops.
• EDM Peripheral Parts Wire-cut and EDM consumables including filters (AW series for water, AO series for oil), ion exchange resin, and cut wire electrodes. For EDM machine operators and machine shops.
• Ion Exchange Resin Recycling System Recycling system for ion exchange resin used in EDM wire-cut machines. Features no bottle purchase required, easy coupler connection, used resin buyback, and long-life performance. For EDM machine users and resin processing factories.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99%+ removal of pollen, dust, and PM2.5 with Air Pure Premium filter
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ICTK Holdings (VIA PUF IC)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2019Japan exclusive distributor agreement for VIA PUF security ICs. ICTK Holdings provides VIA PUF technology for hardware Root of Trust solutions, which Novatec integrates into their Secure IoT offerings for IoT device security.
• Dialog CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital participation in Dialog Corporation, a company developing SIP-compliant VoIP total solutions (2004)
• Domestic and Overseas SoC ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrong partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers to provide cutting-edge SoC hardware for embedded product development
• EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) PartnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished EMS partner network enabling Novatec to support customers from development through production and shipping
• Lado Filter Engineering (Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint investment in filter factory construction in Da Nang, Vietnam (2003)

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Donaldson Company: Broad industrial filtration manufacturer serving automotive, manufacturing, and process industries. Comparable in product category to Novatec's industrial filter division.
• MANN+HUMMEL: Global leader in filtration solutions including automotive cabin air filters and industrial filtration. Comparable to Novatec's Air Pure Premium and industrial filter product lines, though at global scale.
• Yokogawa Electric: Japanese industrial automation and control systems provider serving process and factory customers. Overlaps with Novatec's factory automation and embedded control solution space, but operates at enterprise scale.

Direct peers

• Intrinsic ID: PUF-based IP and security solutions provider for IoT and semiconductors. Comparable to Novatec's Secure IoT line in delivering hardware Root of Trust using unclonable PUF technology.
• Basler: Industrial camera and vision technology provider used in factory inspection and embedded vision systems. Overlaps with Novatec's camera-driven nFactory chip detection and visual inspection solutions.
• Keyence: Global leader in factory automation sensors and machine vision systems. Comparable to Novatec's nFactory in serving manufacturers with automated visual inspection and quality control, though at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Cognex: Specialized machine vision and industrial barcode reading vendor. Directly comparable to nFactory on automated visual inspection, defect detection, and factory AI deployment.
• ICTK Holdings: Korea-based PUF security IC company. Partner and most direct technology peer for Novatec's Secure IoT/VIA PUF offering, both integrating hardware Root of Trust into connected devices.
• eSOL: Japan-based embedded real-time OS and software platform provider serving industrial, automotive, and IoT customers. Comparable as a domestic peer in the embedded systems solution space Novatec operates in.

Emerging players

• BrainChip: Edge AI / neuromorphic processor company for embedded vision and audio. Comparable in bringing AI capabilities to embedded and industrial endpoints, similar to Novatec's nFactory and AI/DL framework direction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Novatec