MicroControl
MicroControl is a privately held German engineering firm (founded 1997, Troisdorf) that designs and sells CAN bus hardware (I/O modules, µMIC.200 controller), licensed protocol stacks (CANopen, J1939, CANpie FD), and training services to industrial OEMs across construction, agricultural, energy, medical, automotive, and sensor technology markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersTroisdorf, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MicroControl does
MicroControl GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held, owner-managed German engineering firm headquartered in Troisdorf that has specialized exclusively in CAN bus technology for over 26 years since its founding in 1997. The company designs and sells hardware (six families of µCAN I/O modules in BOX, SNAP, 19-inch, F1, TRS, and OEM formats), the µMIC.200 real-time Linux programmable controller, and a portfolio of licensed software protocol stacks covering CANopen, CANopen FD, J1939, and CANpie FD. Its µCAN Explorer configuration software, µCAN-PC-USB interface, and supporting documentation round out a vertically integrated offering targeting industrial embedded communication.
The underlying technology centers on the Controller Area Network (CAN) family of protocols, with MicroControl acting as a specialist for resource-constrained embedded environments. Protocol stacks are modular, optimized for low memory footprint, and portable across STM32, NXP, Microchip, and TI silicon through the standardized CANpie FD driver interface. I/O modules digitize analog signals (voltage, current, strain gauges, thermocouples, resistance thermometers) with NAMUR NE43 fault monitoring and operate at industrial temperature ranges up to +85°C, addressing harsh-environment use cases.
MicroControl monetizes through a mix of hardware sales, one-time software licenses (protocol stacks, µCAN Explorer), paid training courses (CAN, CANopen, J1939 in webinar and in-house formats), custom engineering development, and technical consulting. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, regional sales partners, trade show presence (SPS, embedded world, bauma), and content-driven demand generation through its technical blog and educational resources. Target verticals include construction machinery, agricultural machinery, power generation/wind energy, medical technology, automotive, research, and sensor technology, with primary operating geographies across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland supported by partner channels elsewhere in Europe.
MicroControl firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MicroControl
- Legal name
- MicroControl GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://microcontrol.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MicroControl is a privately held German engineering firm (founded 1997, Troisdorf) that designs and sells CAN bus hardware (I/O modules, µMIC.200 controller), licensed protocol stacks (CANopen, J1939, CANpie FD), and training services to industrial OEMs across construction, agricultural, energy, medical, automotive, and sensor technology markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MicroControl industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial CAN Bus Automation
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- 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
- Embedded & Industrial Network Interfaces (PCIe/M.2/SOM/SoC NICs) (HDAFAEAI), Ruggedized/Harsh-Environment Electronics Manufacturing (IP-rated, shock/vibration, wide-temp) (IMAGAGAF)
Keywords
Where MicroControl is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Troisdorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
MicroControl business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Products: Sale of I/O modules (BOX, SNAP, F1, TRS, OEM series), control units (µMIC.200), and accessories including PC USB interfaces for CAN communication.
- Software Products: Protocol stacks (CANopen Master/Slave, CANopen Bootloader, J1939, CANpie FD) sold as licenses. Includes µCAN Explorer configuration software.
- Training Services: CAN bus, CANopen, and J1939 training courses offered as online webinars or in-house workshops. Standard and customized training programs available.
- Development Services: Custom embedded hardware and software development from prototype through series production. Includes project management, prototyping, and manufacturing support.
- Consulting Services: Technical advisory services for CAN bus technology decisions, network architecture definition, and implementation support.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
MicroControl product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MicroControl designs, manufactures, and sells CAN bus-based I/O modules, programmable control units, and CAN protocol stack software for industrial embedded systems. Their portfolio includes the µCAN I/O module series (BOX, SNAP, 19-inch, F1, TRS, OEM) for digitizing analog and digital signals, the µMIC.200 Linux-based programmable controller, and certified protocol stacks for CANopen, CANopen FD, J1939, and CANpie FD. They complement these products with CAN/CANopen/J1939 training courses and custom hardware/software development services.
Product overview
MicroControl offers a comprehensive portfolio of CAN-based industrial automation products organized into five main categories: I/O Modules (BOX, SNAP, 19-inch, F1, TRS, and OEM series), Control Units (µMIC.200), Protocol Stacks (CANopen Master/Slave/Bootloader, J1939, CANpie FD), Training Services, and Engineering/Advisory Services. The I/O module portfolio includes over 30 distinct products for digitizing analog signals (voltage, current, temperature, strain gauges), digital I/O, and specialized functions like counters and PWM outputs, all communicating via CAN/CAN FD. The µMIC.200 control unit provides a compact Linux-based programmable controller with CAN interface for machine automation. Protocol stacks provide software components for implementing CANopen, J1939, and other CAN-based protocols in embedded systems. The company also offers professional training courses and custom development services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- µCAN-BOX Series I/O Modules
Quantifiable outcome
- Space requirements reduced by 25% on DIN rail with µMIC.200 controller compared to previous generation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use MicroControl
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
MicroControl technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
MicroControl partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- STMicroelectronics (ST)coreCooperation between ST and MicroControl for CAN-FD driver development targeting the new STM32C5 microcontroller. MicroControl provides optimized CAN-FD drivers for integration with ST's STM32C5 MCU platform, enabling customers to efficiently utilize CAN FD communication capabilities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MicroControl competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PEAK-System Technik: German developer of PC interfaces, CAN protocol stacks (PCAN), and development tools for CAN and CAN FD. Closest head-to-head competitor to MicroControl in CAN hardware and software for embedded and PC-side development.
- port (Häberle & Mauch): German developer of CANopen protocol stacks, tools, and consulting services. Closely comparable niche peer targeting the same embedded developer base with overlapping stack products.
- Kvaser: Swedish provider of CAN/CAN FD hardware interfaces, protocol software, and data loggers for automotive and industrial embedded developers. Direct comparable in CAN interface adapters and developer tools.
- SYS TEC electronic: German supplier of CAN/CANopen modules, protocol stacks, and embedded controllers for industrial automation and OEM integration. Comparable product mix to MicroControl's µCAN and µMIC lines.
- Intrepid Control Systems: US-based supplier of CAN/CAN FD hardware interfaces (neoVI), protocol stacks, and validation tools for automotive and industrial developers. Comparable offering with geographic complement to MicroControl's DACH focus.
- esd electronics: German-headquartered specialist in CAN, CANopen, and EtherCAT hardware, protocol stacks, and embedded modules serving industrial, automotive, and medical customers. Directly comparable niche competitor to MicroControl with overlapping CAN hardware + stack portfolio.
- HMS Industrial Networks: Sweden-based leader in industrial communication (Anybus, IXXAT) offering CAN/CANopen gateways, protocol stacks, and embedded network interfaces. Comparable as a multi-protocol industrial connectivity specialist with deeper protocol breadth than MicroControl.
- emtas: German specialist offering CANopen, CANopen FD, and EnergyBus protocol stacks as licensed software. Directly comparable niche peer in the same CANopen stack market MicroControl targets with its Master/Slave stacks.
Broad incumbents
- Vector Informatik: Large German incumbent in automotive embedded software, offering CAN/CANoe/CANalyzer tools, AUTOSAR stacks, and protocol stacks. Competes with MicroControl in J1939 and CANopen stacks from a much larger, broader portfolio.
- Bosch Rexroth: Global industrial automation incumbent whose controllers, drives, and IoT gateways embed CAN/CANopen connectivity across factory automation and mobile machinery. Overlaps with MicroControl at the protocol and OEM module layer but as part of a much broader automation portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MicroControl social profiles
Digital presenceMicroControl financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MicroControl leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
MicroControl funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MicroControl 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 MicroControl
What does MicroControl do?
MicroControl designs, manufactures, and sells CAN bus-based I/O modules, programmable control units, and CAN protocol stack software for industrial embedded systems. Their portfolio includes the µCAN I/O module series (BOX, SNAP, 19-inch, F1, TRS, OEM) for digitizing analog and digital signals, the µMIC.200 Linux-based programmable controller, and certified protocol stacks for CANopen, CANopen FD, J1939, and CANpie FD. They complement these products with CAN/CANopen/J1939 training courses and custom hardware/software development services.
Is MicroControl a public or private company?
MicroControl is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MicroControl founded?
MicroControl was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MicroControl based?
MicroControl is headquartered in Troisdorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does MicroControl make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are software Products, training Services, development Services and consulting Services.
Who are MicroControl's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PEAK-System Technik, port (Häberle & Mauch), Kvaser, SYS TEC electronic, Intrepid Control Systems, esd electronics, HMS Industrial Networks and emtas. Broad incumbents are Vector Informatik and Bosch Rexroth.
Does MicroControl have an API?
No public API is recorded for MicroControl.
What industry is MicroControl in?
MicroControl's product category is Industrial CAN Bus Automation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAGAD, Embedded & HMI Electronics Manufacturing (Industrial PCs, HMIs, Panel PCs), with a secondary code of HDAFAEAI, Embedded & Industrial Network Interfaces (PCIe/M.2/SOM/SoC NICs). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3823.