What Signum does

Signum, LLC is a privately held North Dakota electronics design and manufacturing company that delivers custom Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for B2B customers. Founded in 2013 as a joint venture between Amber Waves Electronics and QED Embedded and consolidated through a 2019 acquisition of both predecessor entities, the company operates from an engineering hub in Fargo and an ISO-certified manufacturing facility in Richardton. Its service portfolio spans the full device-to-cloud lifecycle: PCB design, embedded firmware, multi-protocol wireless systems (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, cellular, and LEO satellite), cloud data services on AWS (PostgreSQL and MongoDB), and precision surface-mount electronics manufacturing. The customer base is diverse, with named relationships spanning construction machinery (Bobcat Company), electronics manufacturing (Advance Circuits), agriculture (Honeyford, Grand Farm, Amber Waves), wireless modules (Quectel), cloud infrastructure (AWS), government utilities (North Dakota Water), industrial firms (CHC, ixom), and academic research (NDSU).

The company's technical differentiator is vertical integration under one roof: concept, design, prototyping, manufacturing, and connectivity are all delivered in-house rather than stitched together from third-party vendors. Manufacturing capability is anchored by advanced equipment including a MyData MY100 pick-and-place system, a Heller 1809 MK III 9-zone reflow oven, a DEK solder paste screen printer, a SAK 3Di-LS2 automated optical inspection system, and a MEQ conformal coating line, all housed in a controlled-environment facility. Signum holds three ISO certifications: ISO 9001:2015 (quality management), ISO 13485:2016 (medical device quality management, noted as the first such certification held by a North Dakota electronics manufacturer), and ISO 27001:2022 (information security management). Together, these credentials support entry into regulated medical-device, security-sensitive enterprise, and government utility segments.

Revenue is generated through three intertwined streams: professional services for custom IoT engineering, hardware sales via electronics manufacturing services (turnkey or contract), and recurring subscription revenue from connectivity and cloud hosting. Pricing is quote-based and varies by project scope, complexity, and volume, with multi-year contracts typical for larger engagements. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and direct, targeting enterprises and mid-market B2B customers that require specialized connected-device solutions. The company is founder-owned, led by President Doug Hauck and Vice President Ed Schwind, with no disclosed external funding rounds.

Name

Signum

Legal name

Signum, LLC

Website

https://signumiot.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Signum, LLC designs and manufactures custom IoT hardware, firmware, and cloud-integrated electronics for B2B clients across industrial, agricultural, healthcare, and infrastructure verticals, operating from dual engineering and ISO-certified manufacturing facilities in North Dakota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IoT Electronics Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing (334412)

SIC

Printed Circuit Boards (3672)

akta.pro primary industry

PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS) (HDAHAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Printed Electronics & Advanced Substrates (HDI, IC Substrates, Embedded Components) (HDAHAOAK), PCB Fabrication (Rigid PCBs) (HDAHAOAG)

Keywords

• Custom IoT solutions
• Electronics manufacturing services
• Embedded firmware development
• PCB design services
• Precision SMT assembly

Headquarters

HQ city

Fargo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom IoT Solutions and Engineering Services: End-to-end IoT solutions covering device design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and cloud integration. Revenue generated through custom project engagements for B2B clients requiring specialized connected technology solutions.
2. Electronics Manufacturing Services: Precision electronics manufacturing including circuit board assembly (SMT and through-hole), testing, and final assembly. Services offered as turnkey design and manufacture or contract manufacturing. Revenue generated through production contracts for custom electronics.
3. Connectivity and Hosting Services: Data delivery services, hosting, and connectivity solutions for IoT devices. Includes cellular plans, wireless connectivity, and cloud data management services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Signum designs, engineers, and manufactures custom IoT hardware and connected devices end-to-end under one roof. The company delivers PCB layout, embedded firmware, multi-protocol wireless design (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, cellular, LEO satellite), precision surface-mount electronics manufacturing, and cloud/web applications for IoT deployments. It also provides ongoing connectivity hosting and data delivery services to support devices in the field.

Product overview

Signum offers a unified, end-to-end IoT solutions platform combining three interconnected service areas: Engineering (PCB Design, Firmware, Hardware, and Software development), Manufacturing (precision electronics manufacturing and assembly in an ISO-certified facility), and IoT Solutions (Wireless Systems, Cellular Connectivity, Satellite Connectivity, Cloud Computing, and Web Applications). The company handles the full device-to-cloud lifecycle—from concept and design through prototyping, manufacturing, and connectivity—providing a single integrated source for connected device technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PCB Design Advanced printed circuit board design services turning complex concepts into efficient, high-performing circuit boards, with focus on precision, miniaturization, and functionality for seamless integration with other components.
• Firmware Development High-performance embedded software including firmware, drivers, and middleware tailored for modern devices, integrating seamlessly with hardware to deliver functionality and a user-friendly experience.
• Wireless Systems Robust wireless solutions supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and custom RF protocols to ensure reliable, secure device communication in any environment for IoT connectivity.
• Web Applications Web applications enabling users to control, monitor, and analyze IoT devices with real-time updates, secure HTTPS/SSL access, and worldwide availability.
• Cloud Computing Secure, scalable cloud integration for data storage, access, and management with PostgreSQL and MongoDB databases, dynamically expanding capacity and integrated software processing.
• Electronics Manufacturing Precision electronics manufacturing from prototypes to full-scale production, including circuit board assembly, custom testing, and final assembly services in an ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified facility.
• Cellular Connectivity Reliable cellular connectivity solutions enabling seamless IoT connectivity wherever cellular networks are available.
• Satellite Connectivity Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity solutions for worldwide IoT connectivity in areas beyond cellular network coverage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by over 100 great companies

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreTechnology or IntegrationAWS is utilized as the cloud infrastructure platform for Signum's IoT solutions. Signum leverages AWS cloud services for data storage, processing, and application hosting, providing scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure for connected device solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Digi International: Digi provides end-to-end IoT hardware, connectivity, and cloud platform solutions to industrial, medical, and smart-agriculture customers. Most directly comparable to Signum on the IoT device-to-cloud stack and target verticals, though at meaningfully larger scale.
• Particle: Particle sells IoT modules, gateways, and a managed cloud platform, bundling hardware, firmware, and connectivity for B2B developers. Closely comparable to Signum's wireless systems + cloud offering, although Particle is more platform/software-led while Signum is more services/EMS-led.
• Benchmark Electronics: Benchmark is a mid-market global EMS provider serving aerospace, medical, industrial, and complex IoT programs with higher-mix production. Closest large-scale analog to Signum's contract manufacturing model in regulated end markets.
• Sierra Wireless (Semtech): Sierra Wireless (now part of Semtech) supplies cellular IoT modules, gateways, and connectivity services for industrial and asset-tracking use cases. Comparable to Signum on multi-protocol wireless and managed connectivity, though at much larger scale.
• Quectel: Quectel is a leading global vendor of cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite IoT modules that Signum already integrates into customer designs. Quectel is a direct competitor for connected-device hardware supply and a current Signum partner/customer, so it sits at the boundary of partner and peer.
• Calix: Calix delivers IoT/connectivity platforms to agriculture, utilities, and smart-city operators. Comparable to Signum's smart-agriculture and smart-cities IoT solution work, though Calix's primary footprint is broadband service providers.

Broad incumbents

• Flex (Flextronics): Flex is one of the world's largest EMS providers with deep vertical integration across design, manufacturing, and connectivity services. Comparable to Signum on the full device-to-cloud stack but at vastly larger scale and global reach, and not focused on the small-batch/medical niche.
• Jabil: Jabil is a global tier-one EMS and ODM with extensive IoT and connected-device capabilities. Comparable manufacturing breadth to Signum, but operating at enterprise scale across all major electronics end markets.
• Sanmina: Sanmina is a global EMS provider with strong medical, industrial, and aerospace credentials. Comparable to Signum in regulated high-mix manufacturing, but with much larger scale and international footprint.

Others

• Arrow Electronics: Arrow is a global electronic components distributor and IoT solutions provider, including design engineering services and connectivity offerings. Indirect adjacency to Signum through the IoT value chain rather than direct EMS overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/signum-iot

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Signum