KOAN Software
KOAN Software is a Bergamo, Italy-based embedded software engineering firm founded in 1996, providing Yocto Project BSP development, Linux kernel and security engineering, training, and commercial support to industrial automation, IoT, automotive and agritech customers. It has been part of the Abinsula Group since April 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersBergamo, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KOAN Software does
KOAN Software is a Bergamo, Italy-based embedded software engineering firm founded in 1996, specializing in Linux embedded systems built on the Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded. The company provides custom Board Support Package (BSP) development, Linux kernel and device driver engineering, embedded security implementation (secure boot, chain of trust, dm-crypt, dm-verity), Qt/C++ GUI development, and ongoing software lifecycle and vulnerability management. Its open-source footprint includes published Yocto Project BSP meta-layers for platforms from NXP, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Samsung Artik, NVIDIA Jetson, AMD/Xilinx, AAEON, Toradex, Engicam and ACME Systems.
The company primarily serves enterprise customers in industrial automation, industrial IoT, automotive, and agritech, and additionally trains engineering teams through public courses in Bergamo, private on-site courses worldwide, and online delivery. CEO Marco Cavallini, the first European Yocto Project Ambassador, has led the firm for three decades and built a reputation around deep open-source contribution. In April 2025 KOAN became part of the Abinsula Group, an Italian technology group with offices in Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia, expanding its reach into automotive, agritech, industrial IoT and cybersecurity verticals while KOAN continues to operate under its own brand.
KOAN Software firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KOAN Software
- Legal name
- KOAN s.a.s.
- Website
- https://koansoftware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KOAN Software is a Bergamo, Italy-based embedded software engineering firm founded in 1996, providing Yocto Project BSP development, Linux kernel and security engineering, training, and commercial support to industrial automation, IoT, automotive and agritech customers. It has been part of the Abinsula Group since April 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KOAN Software industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Embedded Software Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling) (HDAHAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cloud, DevOps & Software Engineering Certifications (EDAAANAH)
Keywords
Where KOAN Software is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bergamo
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
KOAN Software business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Professional Services: Custom embedded software development services including BSP creation, kernel development, driver development, and system integration. Billed through project-based consulting engagements or time and materials contracts.
- Training Services: Technical training courses on Linux embedded, Yocto Project, and device drivers. Offered as public in-person courses (max 7-10 attendees), private courses at customer premises worldwide, and online training. Training subscription forms available for enrollment.
- Commercial Support: Commercial support services providing lifecycle management, security patches, vulnerability assessments, and ongoing technical assistance for embedded Linux systems.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
KOAN Software product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KOAN Software provides professional embedded Linux engineering services centered on the Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded build systems. Offerings include custom Board Support Package (BSP) development for ARM-based platforms from NXP, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, NVIDIA, AMD/Xilinx and others, plus kernel and device driver development, embedded security (Secure Boot, Chain of Trust, dm-crypt, dm-verity/IMA-EVM), Qt-based GUI development, lifecycle management and security update services, and instructor-led training courses on Linux embedded, Yocto Project, and device drivers.
Product overview
KOAN Software is an embedded software engineering company offering professional services rather than a single unified product. The core offerings center around embedded Linux development using Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded build systems. Services include Embedded Linux Development, Yocto Project Services, Board Support Package development for multiple hardware platforms (NXP, STM32, TI, Samsung Artik, NVIDIA Jetson, AMD, AAEON, Toradex), Embedded Security services (Secure Boot, Chain of Trust), Software Updates/lifecycle management, and Qt GUI Development. The company also provides complementary training services including Linux Embedded Training, Yocto Project Training, and Device Drivers Training courses. Additionally, KOAN contributes open-source Yocto Project meta layers for various hardware platforms. All services combine open source technologies with commercial support, particularly focused on the Yocto Project ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Embedded Linux Development
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 years of continuous operation in embedded software engineering since 1996
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use KOAN Software
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KOAN Software technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
KOAN Software partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Abinsula GroupflagshipKOAN officially became part of the Abinsula Group in April 2025. This integration strengthens Abinsula's presence in industrial automation, embedded Linux, and Open Source technologies. Abinsula, founded in 2012 in Sardinia, operates globally in automotive, Industrial IoT, agritech, and cybersecurity sectors with offices in Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia.
- NXP Partner ProgramcoreKOAN joined the NXP Partner Program in February 2025, recognizing their expertise in Linux embedded integration on NXP-based boards using Yocto Project. KOAN has worked with NXP CPUs since 2010, starting with i.MX28 family, expanding to entire i.MX portfolio including i.MX8 and i.MX9 processors.
- Yocto ProjectcoreKOAN is a Yocto Project Participant since 2010 and active contributor to the Yocto Project ecosystem. CEO Marco Cavallini serves as Yocto Project Ambassador. KOAN develops and maintains BSP meta layers and provides training, consulting, and support for Yocto Project users.
- Avnet SilicaminorKOAN participates in AMD Embedded Tour 2026, a roadshow organized by Avnet Silica that brings together engineers and technology leaders to explore embedded systems. Event focuses on AMD embedded technologies and applications including AI, robotics, and industrial automation.
- ToradexminorKOAN partnered with Toradex for training courses, with Toradex sponsoring in-person training events and providing Verdin i.MX8M boards to participants. Joint training events held in Bergamo, Italy.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
KOAN Software competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Elektrobit (EB): Automotive embedded software vendor and consultancy (part of Continental) with deep Linux/Yocto expertise. Comparable to KOAN on automotive embedded engineering but as a tier-1 incumbent with a much larger bench.
- Wind River Systems: Large incumbent in embedded and edge software (VxWorks, Wind River Linux) serving industrial, automotive, and aerospace. Overlaps with KOAN in industrial embedded Linux consulting but operates as a portfolio vendor at much greater scale.
- MontaVista Software: Long-standing commercial embedded Linux distribution and services provider. Comparable to KOAN's commercial support and Yocto-based distribution work, but at a much larger incumbent scale.
Emerging players
- SYSGO: European (Germany) embedded software vendor specializing in safety- and security-critical systems (PikeOS). Comparable in regional positioning and embedded/safety focus, though differentiated by RTOS vs. Linux.
- Toradex: Swiss embedded module/SoM vendor that partners with KOAN for training and ships Yocto-based software. Adjacent peer: not a direct consulting competitor but a partner in the same Yocto/embedded-Linux commercial ecosystem.
- Foundries.io: Yocto-based embedded Linux platform provider with security and OTA update focus. Comparable to KOAN's CRA/IEC 62443-aligned security and lifecycle services, with overlapping IoT/industrial customer segments.
Direct peers
- Bootlin: European (France) embedded Linux and Yocto Project consulting and training firm. Highly comparable to KOAN in services offered (BSP, kernel, driver development, training) and target customer base of industrial/IoT OEMs, with similar headcount scale.
- Konsulko Group: US-based embedded Linux and Yocto Project consultancy. Directly comparable as a focused embedded-Linux engineering services firm with deep Yocto and OpenEmbedded expertise serving industrial and IoT customers.
- TimeSys: Embedded Linux software, security, and lifecycle support provider offering commercial Yocto-based distributions and engineering services. Comparable to KOAN's commercial-support and security service lines.
Others
- The Linux Foundation: Umbrella foundation hosting the Yocto Project and other open-source initiatives. Not a competitor but the governing body whose ambassador program elevates KOAN's brand and whose direction-setting affects KOAN's market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KOAN Software social profiles
Digital presenceKOAN Software financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KOAN Software leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
KOAN Software funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KOAN Software 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 KOAN Software
What does KOAN Software do?
KOAN Software provides professional embedded Linux engineering services centered on the Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded build systems. Offerings include custom Board Support Package (BSP) development for ARM-based platforms from NXP, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, NVIDIA, AMD/Xilinx and others, plus kernel and device driver development, embedded security (Secure Boot, Chain of Trust, dm-crypt, dm-verity/IMA-EVM), Qt-based GUI development, lifecycle management and security update services, and instructor-led training courses on Linux embedded, Yocto Project, and device drivers.
Is KOAN Software a public or private company?
KOAN Software is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was KOAN Software founded?
KOAN Software was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KOAN Software based?
KOAN Software is headquartered in Bergamo, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does KOAN Software make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Professional Services are the primary driver. The others are training Services and commercial Support.
Who are KOAN Software's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Elektrobit (EB), Wind River Systems and MontaVista Software. Emerging players are SYSGO, Toradex and Foundries.io. Direct peers are Bootlin, Konsulko Group and TimeSys. The Linux Foundation is listed as an others.
Does KOAN Software have an API?
No public API is recorded for KOAN Software.
What industry is KOAN Software in?
KOAN Software's product category is Embedded Software Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAFAE, Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling), with a secondary code of EDAAANAH, Cloud, DevOps & Software Engineering Certifications. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.