MicroControl

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.

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

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

• CAN bus I/O modules
• Industrial CAN protocol stacks
• Embedded control systems
• CANopen software
• Industrial automation hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Troisdorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Software Products: Protocol stacks (CANopen Master/Slave, CANopen Bootloader, J1939, CANpie FD) sold as licenses. Includes µCAN Explorer configuration software.
3. Training Services: CAN bus, CANopen, and J1939 training courses offered as online webinars or in-house workshops. Standard and customized training programs available.
4. Development Services: Custom embedded hardware and software development from prototype through series production. Includes project management, prototyping, and manufacturing support.
5. 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

Core 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

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• STMicroelectronics (ST)coreTechnology or Integration · 17 March 2026Cooperation 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/microcontrol_DE

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 MicroControl