Chonova AG

What Chonova AG does

Chonova AG is an ETH Zurich spin-off headquartered in Oberhasli, Switzerland, that has commercialized a patented ultrasound spectroscopy sensor platform for the chocolate manufacturing industry. The company's core offering consists of two modules: a Production Module whose sensor-equipped smart mould is installed on cooling tunnels to measure tempering index, fat crystal formation, degree of solidification, volume contraction, and product-mould detachment in real time, and an R&D Laboratory Module, a standalone 100g-plate device that replicates production cooling conditions for recipe reformulation, incoming batch testing, and mould material evaluation. The technology works by analyzing how ultrasound waves propagating between a transmitter and receiver across the mould and chocolate evolve during solidification, producing a fingerprint of fat crystal formation that temperature or static measurements cannot capture.

The company monetizes through a Technology-as-a-Service model offering both multi-year rental and outright purchase options, complemented by direct enterprise field sales targeting chocolate manufacturers. Customer engagement is built around initial discovery conversations, focused pilot or integration proposals tied to measurable outcomes, and live demonstrations at industry events, with a 2026 trade show calendar spanning ISM, Interpraline, Interpack, and Chocotec. The primary segments are production-line chocolate manufacturers seeking to reduce defects, optimize cooling parameters, and increase throughput, and R&D departments in the same industry evaluating recipes, ingredients, and mould materials.

Max Felchlin AG is the only publicly named reference customer, citing more than five years of DetachLog usage and a recent installation on an additional line. Chonova was recognized as a first-prize winner of the EIT Food FAN 2025 accelerator, receiving a 50,000 CHF award, and operates with fewer than 10 employees as a privately held Swiss AG.

Name

Chonova AG

Legal name

Chonova AG

Website

https://chonova.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chonova AG is an ETH Zurich spin-off that sells patented ultrasound spectroscopy sensors and analytics software to chocolate manufacturers for real-time in-process monitoring of crystallization, contraction, and demoulding in production and R&D settings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chocolate Process Analytics

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Manufacturing Informatics for Biopharma (MES/EBR/Batch Records for GMP) (HLAGAJAJ)

Keywords

• Chocolate structuring analytics
• Ultrasound sensor systems
• Confectionery process monitoring
• Crystallization measurement technology
• Food production sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Technology as a Service: CHoNova offers its technology as a service with both rental and purchase options available. The service model includes equipment installation on customer production lines or laboratories, ongoing data collection, and software access.
2. Hardware Sales: Sale of sensor-equipped Smart Mould technology and laboratory devices. Purchase options available alongside rental model for production modules and R&D equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chonova AG sells sensor-based hardware modules (a Production Module installed on chocolate moulds and an R&D Module for laboratory use) that use patented ultrasound spectroscopy to measure fat crystal formation, tempering index, solidification, volume contraction, and mould detachment in real time. The technology is offered under a Technology as a Service model with rental or purchase options, targeted at chocolate manufacturers for production monitoring and R&D testing.

Product overview

CHoNova offers a sensor-based analytics platform for the chocolate manufacturing industry, consisting of two distinct modules: the Production Module for real-time in-line monitoring on cooling tunnels, and the R&D Module for standalone laboratory analysis. Both modules leverage patented ultrasound spectroscopy technology combined with temperature sensors to measure chocolate structuring, providing actionable data on tempering index, crystallization efficiency, viscosity, and mould detachment. The platform is machine-agnostic and integrates with existing production lines or laboratory setups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Production Module
• R&D Module Standalone laboratory device comprising a 100g-plate mould equipped with ultrasound and temperature sensors, used by chocolate R&D teams for recipe reformulation, incoming batch testing, raw material quality control, root cause analysis, and new mould material evaluation under authentic cooling conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced waste and rework through real-time defect detection
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chonova-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Chonova AG