What sensenl does

SenseNL B.V. is a privately held Dutch agtech company headquartered in Breda, Netherlands, that develops the CARA MET wireless sensor system and the MySenseNL cloud platform for real-time root-zone monitoring in high-tech greenhouse horticulture. The CARA MET slab and cube sensors measure moisture content, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature in the root environment, using a proprietary algorithm and calibration formula originally devised by Dr. Max Hilhorst in the 1990s. The technology combines Frequency Domain (FD) and Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) methods to deliver reliable EC measurement in the 4-10 EC range where competing sensors fail, and is substrate-independent across stone-wool slabs, cubes, and (planned) pots. Sensor data is transmitted via a LoRaWAN-based protocol co-developed with TNO spin-off SOWNet Technologies, processed in an AWS-hosted cloud environment, and surfaced through the MySenseNL GUI or pushed to integrated climate computers and platforms such as LetsGrow.

SenseNL operates an exclusive direct-to-grower distribution model, selling hardware in sets of 10 sensors with a base station through the caramet.com website and direct contact. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of CARA MET slab and cube variants, with a recurring software/data component via the MySenseNL cloud platform. Pricing is positioned as competitive for broad accessibility, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed. The company targets commercial greenhouse growers using stone wool substrates with drip or ebb-and-flow irrigation systems, with documented deployments at Den Berk Délice (Belgium, tomatoes), Slaman Paprika's (paprika), and Hoogendoorn Growth Management, the latter having won the 2020 Wageningen Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge with CARA MET-enabled autonomous growing. The company is founder/management-owned, with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional investors.

Name

sensenl

Legal name

SenseNL B.V.

Website

https://sensenl.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SenseNL B.V. is a Dutch agtech company that builds wireless CARA MET sensors and the MySenseNL cloud platform for real-time root-zone monitoring (moisture, EC, temperature) in high-tech greenhouse horticulture, serving commercial stone-wool substrate growers primarily in the Benelux.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Agriculture Sensors

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Field Sensor Hardware (Soil Moisture/Nutrient, Weather, Canopy Sensors) (AFABAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Precision Sensing & Monitoring (Soil/Weather Stations, In-Field Sensors, IoT) (AFAGALAB), Irrigation Monitoring & Sensors (Flow/Pressure Meters, Soil Moisture, Water Quality Sensors) (AFABAHAJ), Environmental Sensors (Temperature/Humidity/Gas/Air Quality) (HDAHALAD)

Keywords

• Wireless soil sensors
• Irrigation monitoring
• Root-zone sensing
• Greenhouse automation
• Precision horticulture

Headquarters

HQ city

Breda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CARA MET Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of wireless CARA MET sensors sold in sets of 10 units including base station. Sensors are available in slab and cube variants for different substrate applications. Hardware is sold at competitive pricing to maximize accessibility for horticulture growers.
2. Cloud Data Platform Services: Cloud-based data processing and visualization services via AWS platform. Data collected from sensors is processed through proprietary algorithms and made available through MySenseNL web application for real-time monitoring and climate computer integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SenseNL B.V. designs, manufactures and sells smart wireless sensor systems (CARA MET slab and cube variants) that continuously measure moisture, EC and temperature in the root zone of horticultural substrates. The sensors feed a cloud platform (MySenseNL) where growers view real-time irrigation insights, alerts and analytics. The offering combines proprietary Hilhorst calibration hardware with subscription-based data services.

Product overview

SenseNL offers the CARA MET sensor system, a precision agriculture solution for horticulture. The product line includes the CARA MET slab (5-pin sensor for stone wool substrate mats with 45 cm3 range) and CARA MET cube (2-pin sensor for stone wool blocks with 100 cm3 range), both using proprietary wireless technology based on Dr. Max Hilhorst's FD/TDR algorithm for reliable EC measurements in the 4-10 range. The sensors communicate via LoRaWAN protocol and are managed through the MySenseNL cloud platform hosted on AWS, with data visualization and integration capabilities. Additional soil/EC sensors for container-grown crops and open field are also available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CARA MET: Wireless sensor product line for measuring moisture content, EC and temperature in plant root zones, available in slab and cube variants for stone wool substrates.
• MySenseNL

Products and services

• CARA MET Sensor Wireless sensor that continuously measures substrate moisture, electrical conductivity (EC) and temperature using a combined FD/TDR measurement method and the proprietary Hilhorst calibration algorithm. Targeted at commercial greenhouse growers managing slab and cube substrate systems.
• CARA MET slab Sensor variant shaped to fit inside horticultural slabs (e.g., rockwool) to monitor the root zone directly within the substrate. Sold in sets of 10 to commercial greenhouse operators.
• CARA MET cube Sensor variant shaped for cube-style grow media (e.g., propagation cubes and plug trays) to monitor moisture and EC in propagation and young-plant production. Sold in sets of 10.
• CARA MET Soil/EC Sensor Wireless sensor variant for use in soil-based substrates to monitor moisture and electrical conductivity. Targeted at growers using traditional soil cultivation alongside hydroponic systems.
• MySenseNL Cloud Platform Web-based GUI (run on AWS) that receives sensor data over LoRaWAN, displays real-time and historical irrigation insights, sends alerts and supports analysis of crop performance. Available to commercial growers as part of the sensor subscription.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved crop quality and yield through optimized irrigation strategies
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SOWNet TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationSOWNet Technologies, a spin-off from TNO research institute, collaborated with SenseNL to develop the wireless communication protocol for the CARA MET sensor. The protocol was specifically optimized for greenhouse environments to make data traffic as robust and reliable as possible, utilizing LoRaWAN technology with 2-way communication and 8 channels.
• Dr. Max HilhorstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned researcher who devised the breakthrough technology underlying the CARA MET sensor in the 1990s. Developed unique method for reliable moisture measurement in root zones by solving limiting factors of FD and TDR technologies. Still closely connected to SenseNL, continuing to test and validate new sensor variants including pot sensors for container-grown crops.
• Leading Climate Computer SupplierscoreTechnology or IntegrationSenseNL works closely with prominent market players in climate computer and data platform solutions. The collected sensor data can be easily linked to standard climate computers and leading data platforms, enabling real-time data import and automation integration for growers.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Delta-T Devices: UK-based manufacturer of soil and substrate moisture sensors including the WET sensor family, originally based on Dr. Max Hilhorst's research. Direct competitor offering root-zone moisture/EC sensors for horticulture and agriculture, the same category SenseNL's CARA MET targets.
• METER Group (formerly Decagon Devices): US-based manufacturer of scientific-grade soil moisture, temperature, and EC sensors (including the TEROS and WET lines). Directly comparable to SenseNL in substrate and soil sensing for agriculture/horticulture, with broader product portfolio and global distribution.
• Sentek: Australia-based company specializing in soil moisture and salinity profiling sensors for irrigation management. Direct peer in precision agriculture root-zone sensing with comparable SDI (subsurface) probe technology.
• CropX: Israeli precision agriculture company offering soil moisture and nutrient sensors with cloud analytics. Direct peer competing in farm and greenhouse root-zone monitoring with a stronger SaaS/data emphasis than SenseNL.
• AquaSpy: US-based manufacturer of multi-depth soil moisture and EC probes (the AquaCheck and C3 lines). Direct competitor in profile-style soil moisture sensing for irrigation decisions, with comparable target customers.
• Pessl Instruments (METOS): Austria-based manufacturer of agricultural and environmental sensors including soil moisture, EC, and weather stations under the METOS brand. Direct peer offering comparable sensor sets for precision agriculture with broader weather-station capabilities.
• 30MHz: Dutch startup offering wireless environmental sensors and a data platform for horticulture. Direct peer targeting the same high-tech greenhouse segment with a more SaaS-centric model; both integrate with leading climate computers.

Broad incumbents

• Priva: Dutch incumbent in horticultural climate computers and process control. SenseNL integrates with Priva's ecosystem, but Priva also offers or resells competing sensor solutions within its broader automation platform, making it both a partner-channel and potential competitor.
• Ridder Group: Dutch incumbent in greenhouse technology offering climate computers, irrigation systems, and screens. Comparable in serving the same high-tech greenhouse customer base, with a broader portfolio that may include competing sensing solutions.

Emerging players

• Aranet (SAF Tehnika): Latvian manufacturer of wireless environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2) using a proprietary radio protocol, with growing presence in horticulture. Adjacent competitor in wireless sensing for controlled-environment agriculture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sensenl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 sensenl