Denso Create
Denso Create is a Denso Group subsidiary that develops embedded automotive software and commercializes proprietary developer tools (Next Design, Lightning Review, TimeTracker) enhanced by its DC Agentiqs AI agent platform, primarily serving Japanese automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and general software developers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersNagoya, Japan
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Denso Create does
Denso Create (株式会社デンソークリエイト, DENSO CREATE INC.) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Denso Corporation founded in 1991, headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, with 314 employees as of April 1, 2026. The company operates in two intertwined lines of business: (1) contract embedded automotive software development for the Denso Group and adjacent OEMs/Tier-1 suppliers, covering ECU software, AUTOSAR implementation, ISO 26262 functional safety, and Automotive SPICE process work, and (2) commercialization of proprietary developer-tools used both internally and externally. Its commercial product portfolio centers on three tools — Next Design (a meta-model driven system/software design environment), Lightning Review (image-based review collaboration), and the TimeTracker family of work/project management tools — augmented since February 2026 by DC Agentiqs, an AI agent platform that orchestrates generative AI across requirements, design, implementation, review, and testing phases.
Next Design is differentiated by a customizable meta-model and view-definition architecture, enabling organizations to encode their own design processes rather than conforming to a fixed tool ontology; Lightning Review captures review comments directly with screenshots, reducing review omissions; and TimeTracker NX/RX delivers drag-and-drop work-hour entry, Kanban, resource planning, pivot analytics, and Jira/Redmine sync via the optional TimeTracker NX Sync module. DC Agentiqs layers generative AI on top with on-premise compatibility (critical for embedded automotive security requirements), Human-in-the-Loop review, long-term memory, evidence presentation, and RAG-based knowledge retrieval, supporting Google Gemini, Microsoft Azure AI Foundry, GPT-5.4, and Claude as LLM providers per DC Agentiqs V1.1 (May 2026). Integrations span Simulink, Enterprise Architect (UML/SysML import), Git/Subversion, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Outlook, Office 365, and Google Calendar.
Revenue is generated primarily through annual software subscriptions (e.g., Next Design user license from 60,000 JPY/year, floating license from 240,000 JPY/year), one-time/perpetual license options, and embedded software development services for the Denso Group. The company sells directly to Japanese enterprise customers via product-specific sales teams and inquiry channels, with limited geographic distribution outside Japan. Cumulative installed bases include 80,000+ TimeTracker users across 500+ companies and 13,000+ Lightning Review users, plus an active research footprint evidenced by three consecutive SQiP Best Paper Awards (2023–2025).
Denso Create firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Denso Create
- Legal name
- 株式会社デンソークリエイト DENSO CREATE INC.
- Website
- https://denso-create.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Denso Create is a Denso Group subsidiary that develops embedded automotive software and commercializes proprietary developer tools (Next Design, Lightning Review, TimeTracker) enhanced by its DC Agentiqs AI agent platform, primarily serving Japanese automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and general software developers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Denso Create industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Embedded Software Development Tools
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Process & Case Management Low-Code Platforms (HDAEAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling) (HDAHAFAE)
Keywords
Where Denso Create is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nagoya
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Denso Create business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Commercial Software Products (SaaS/Subscription): DENSO CREATE generates revenue primarily through commercialized software products sold as annual subscriptions. Products include Next Design (system/software design tool), Lightning Review (design review support tool), TimeTracker NX/RX (work/project management), and DC Agentiqs (AI agent platform). Revenue is subscription-based with annual billing cycles.
- Software Licensing (Perpetual License): Next Design offers perpetual/user license options starting at 60,000 JPY per year (billed annually), and floating license options starting at 240,000 JPY per year. This represents a one-time perpetual license model with annual maintenance.
- Professional Services & Consulting: DENSO CREATE provides software development, process improvement consulting, and technical training services, leveraging deep expertise in automotive SPICE, ISO26262 functional safety, and embedded software development. These services complement the product portfolio.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Next Design - User License (Annual) |
| Subscription | Annual | Next Design - Floating License (Annual) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Next Design - User License (Initial) |
| Subscription | Annual | TimeTracker NX - Project & Work Management Tool |
| Subscription | Annual | DC Agentiqs - AI Agent Platform (Annual) |
| Subscription | Annual | TimeTracker RX - Resource Planning Module (Paid Option) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Software Documentation Guide Book |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Denso Create product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Denso Create develops and sells commercial software products for embedded systems and automotive software engineering. Its core offerings are Next Design (model-based system/software design tool), Lightning Review (design review support tool), TimeTracker NX/RX (work and project management tools), and DC Agentiqs (AI agent platform). The company also provides embedded software development, functional safety consulting (ISO 26262, Automotive SPICE), and process improvement services primarily to automotive manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers in Japan.
Product overview
DENSO CREATE offers a portfolio of software development tools for the automotive and embedded systems industry, centered on three core commercial products: Next Design (system/software design tool), Lightning Review (design review support tool), and TimeTracker series (work/project management tools including TimeTracker NX and the newer TimeTracker RX). The portfolio is being enhanced through AI integration via DC Agentiqs (AI agent platform) and DC Copilot (AI assistant features embedded across products). Next Design provides customizable design environments with meta-model and view definitions; Lightning Review enables visual review feedback capture; TimeTracker tools handle work hour tracking and project management. DC Agentiqs serves as an AI orchestration layer enabling cross-product intelligence, while the TimeTracker NX Sync option provides Jira/Redmine connectivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Next Design Next-generation system/software design tool that lets users define a custom meta-model and view definitions to create purpose-built design environments for large-scale embedded software development. Supports traceability, UML/SysML, Git-based distributed development, and timing chart/state transition table editing. Targets automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and embedded software teams.
- Lightning Review Design review support tool that captures review comments and corrections as images directly within documents, preventing omissions in review workflows. Includes Git integration, Microsoft Teams/Slack/Outlook notifications, public API for automation, and AI-assisted review suggestions via DC Copilot. Targets design, software, and hardware engineering teams.
- TimeTracker NX Web-based work hour and project management tool with 1-minute work hour input, Kanban boards, Resource Planner, pivot analysis, Jira/Redmine sync via TimeTracker NX Sync, and AI-driven risk detection. Used by over 80,000 users across 500+ companies for project and resource management.
- TimeTracker RX Latest generation work and project management tool from Denso Create that uses accumulated work-hour data to enable cross-project analysis, staffing planning, and organizational-project planning integration. First release includes a staffing planning feature as a paid option for resource allocation visualization.
- DC Agentiqs AI agent platform that delivers cross-process engineering support from requirements definition through design, implementation, review, and testing. Includes HITL, long-term memory, RAG-based retrieval, Next Design and Simulink integration, and supports Google Gemini, Microsoft Azure AI Foundry, GPT-5.4, and Claude LLMs. Designed for on-premise compatibility for embedded development.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 80,000 users of TimeTracker NX across various industries, with 500+ companies and ~70,000 users served over 15+ years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Denso Create
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Denso Create technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
AI capability10 records
Feature10 records
Denso Create partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Microsoft Azure AI FoundrycoreDC Agentiqs V1.1 supports Microsoft Azure AI Foundry as an AI provider and LLM source, enabling customers to use Azure-based AI models within the platform for engineering assistance workflows.
- Google GeminicoreDC Agentiqs V1.1 supports Google Gemini as an AI provider, alongside Microsoft Azure AI Foundry, GPT-5.4, and Claude series LLMs, giving customers flexibility in AI model selection for engineering workflows.
- MathWorks (Simulink)coreDC Agentiqs V1.1 features strengthened Simulink integration, enabling improved model and library information acquisition and editing. Supports token-efficient staged retrieval and SLDD variable operations.
- Sparx Systems (Enterprise Architect)coreNext Design V3.1 supports import of UML/SysML diagrams from Enterprise Architect, enabling reuse of existing design assets in automotive and other embedded software development.
- GitHub / Git (Version Control)coreLightning Review 2.5 integrates with GitHub and Subversion for distributed development teams, enabling review of files stored in Git repositories. Next Design V3 features Git-native operations including commit, push, and 3-way merge.
- Atlassian (Jira/Confluence)coreTimeTracker NX Sync enables data synchronization between TimeTracker NX and Jira/Redmine. Supports sprint/release synchronization with TimeTracker NX WBS data, configurable ticket types, field mappings, and bidirectional or unidirectional sync.
- RedminecoreTimeTracker NX Sync provides optional integration with Redmine, enabling teams to maintain accurate project information across both tools while centralizing project management data in TimeTracker NX.
- DENSO Corporation (Group Company)coreDENSO CREATE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DENSO Corporation and serves as the primary software development technology arm for the DENSO Group. Develops embedded software, base software, and development tools primarily for DENSO's automotive products.
- International Automotive Standards Bodies (AUTOSAR, ISO, etc.)coreDENSO CREATE actively participates in international standardization efforts including AUTOSAR, ISO26262 functional safety, and Automotive SPICE. The company develops software and tools that comply with these standards for the automotive industry.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights6 records
Denso Create competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dassault Systèmes (3DEXPERIENCE): 3DEXPERIENCE offers broader systems engineering and model-based design capabilities spanning automotive and beyond — overlapping with Next Design but operating at a much larger enterprise platform scope.
Direct peers
- PTC: PTC's Codebeamer and Windchill compete in ALM and model-based systems engineering for automotive and embedded development — the same design-tooling category where Next Design and TimeTracker operate.
- Jama Software: Jama's Connect platform provides requirements management and traceability for automotive, medical, and aerospace — overlapping directly with Next Design's requirements/design traceability capabilities.
- Vector Informatik: Vector provides AUTOSAR, ECU, and embedded automotive development tools (CANoe, vTESTstudio, EB tresos) — directly comparable to DENSO CREATE's embedded software tooling and AUTOSAR/ISO 26262 expertise.
- MathWorks: MathWorks' Simulink is the dominant model-based design environment for embedded automotive software and a DC Agentiqs V1.1 integration partner — directly comparable in serving the same automotive embedded engineer workflow.
- Atlassian: Jira and Confluence compete with TimeTracker NX for project and work management — DENSO CREATE's TimeTracker NX Sync integrates with Jira, framing them as both partner and direct commercial competitor in the same workflow.
- Sparx Systems: Enterprise Architect is a leading UML/SysML modeling tool that Next Design V3.1 explicitly imports from via partnership/compatibility — a direct adjacent competitor in model-based design for embedded systems.
- Elektrobit (Continental): Elektrobit develops automotive base software (EB tresos) and embedded development tools for OEMs and Tier-1s — comparable to DENSO CREATE's role providing embedded software and AUTOSAR stack for its parent DENSO.
- Siemens Digital Industries Software (Polarion): Polarion is an enterprise ALM platform widely used in automotive and other regulated industries, directly competing with DENSO CREATE's Next Design and TimeTracker NX offerings in requirements, design, and project management.
- IBM Engineering (DOORS Next): IBM DOORS Next is the incumbent requirements management platform for regulated industries including automotive and aerospace, directly competing with Next Design in requirements traceability and design data management.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Denso Create compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Denso Create financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Denso Create leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Denso Create funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Denso Create 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 Denso Create
What does Denso Create do?
Denso Create develops and sells commercial software products for embedded systems and automotive software engineering. Its core offerings are Next Design (model-based system/software design tool), Lightning Review (design review support tool), TimeTracker NX/RX (work and project management tools), and DC Agentiqs (AI agent platform). The company also provides embedded software development, functional safety consulting (ISO 26262, Automotive SPICE), and process improvement services primarily to automotive manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers in Japan.
Is Denso Create a public or private company?
Denso Create is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Denso Create founded?
Denso Create was founded in 1991. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Denso Create based?
Denso Create is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Denso Create make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Commercial Software Products (SaaS/Subscription) is the primary driver. The others are software Licensing (Perpetual License) and professional Services & Consulting.
Who are Denso Create's main competitors?
Dassault Systèmes (3DEXPERIENCE) is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are PTC, Jama Software, Vector Informatik, MathWorks, Atlassian, Sparx Systems, Elektrobit (Continental), Siemens Digital Industries Software (Polarion) and IBM Engineering (DOORS Next).
Does Denso Create have an API?
Yes. Lightning Review offers a public API that enables automation of tasks such as collecting review progress statuses and detected issue counts from multiple review files, batch adding attributes to review files, and creating extensions. The API allows programmatic access to review data and functionality, supporting workflow automation and efficiency improvements.
What industry is Denso Create in?
Denso Create's product category is Embedded Software Development Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAE, Process & Case Management Low-Code Platforms, with a secondary code of HDAHAFAE, Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling). Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7372.