COMPREDICT’s Virtual Sensors extract hidden value from vehicle data through purely software-based solutions. Deployable in the cloud or embedded directly in vehicles – from passenger cars to heavy commercial vehicles – our technology serves vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1 equipment suppliers, and fleet solutions providers.
We combine automotive engineering expertise with advanced data science. Through sensor fusion, signal processing, and machine learning, our Virtual Sensors transform standard vehicle signals such as speed, torque, wheel speeds, battery voltage – into meaningful insights.
“Efficient use of in-vehicle data allows cost savings, emission reductions and additional revenues for manufacturers and fleet operators, which transforms into benefits like reduced consumption and maintenance costs for consumers. This enables targeted component design, right-sized durability, predictive maintenance and optimized fleet management.”
Dr. Stéphane Foulard, CEO COMPREDICT
Foundation: Starting with a Clear Vision
“Solving a real problem in automotive development”
What began as a research project evolved into something more practical. With support from the EXIST entrepreneurial grant from the German Ministry of Economic Affairs, we founded COMPREDICT in Darmstadt. Our team of 4 had a straightforward goal: develop virtual sensors that could reduce the complexity and cost of automotive testing.
First Steps: Building the Business Foundation
“From research to real application”
We took the step from academic research to commercial application. With pre-seed financing from SEK Ventures and THI Investments, we could focus on developing our technology for practical use. The recognition at the BMWi Founder Awards – winning both the Main Award and Big Data Special Prize – confirmed we were addressing a genuine industry need.
We were learning what it meant to build a sustainable business around our technology.
Development Phase: Learning Through Application
“Testing our approach in different markets”
This year taught us a lot about our technology and the market. Through accelerator programs like Startup Autobahn and the German Accelerator in Sunnyvale, we refined our understanding of customer needs. Awards like second place at BMWi Digital Start-up of the Year and finalist status at Falling Walls Ventures helped us gain visibility.
With 8 team members and over 10 proof of concepts completed, we were steadily building expertise in Virtual Sensor applications.
Each project taught us more about what customers actually needed.
Market Entry: Delivering Our First Platform
“Making the technology accessible to customers”
After years of development, we launched the first version of our COMPREDICT platform for automotive R&D teams. The positive response – including winning the NMW Lab Open Challenge and recognition as Frankfurt Forward’s Start-up of the Month – indicated we were on the right track.
Our team grew to 15 people as we focused on making Virtual Sensor technology practical for everyday use in the automotive industry.
We were starting to see how our work could fit into existing development processes.
Growth Phase: Expanding Our Capabilities
“Building the foundation for scale”
Despite a challenging year for many businesses, we secured seed financing from THI Investments, SEK Ventures, and Michelin. This support, along with programs like German Telecom’s Boost Accelerator and Microsoft for Startups, helped us expand our technical capabilities.
Growing to 20 team members allowed us to work on more complex projects while maintaining the quality our early customers expected.
We were learning how to balance growth with maintaining our technical standards.
Market Validation: Earning Customer Trust
“When customers choose to work with us repeatedly”
Five years after founding, we had built working relationships with over 10 automotive OEMs and Tier1 suppliers. Programs like SAP.io’s accelerator and our expansion into the Korean market through the German Accelerator helped us understand different market needs.
With 25 team members, we were developing deeper expertise while serving a growing customer base.
Customer retention was becoming as important as customer acquisition.
Strategic Development: Partnering for Growth
“Building relationships that strengthen our offering”
Our Series A financing, led by Vektor Partners and BlackBerry, with additional support from impact fund Shift4Good, provided both capital and strategic guidance. The partnerships with BlackBerry and MunichRE opened new opportunities to integrate our technology into broader solutions.
These relationships helped us understand how Virtual Sensors could work within larger technology ecosystems.
We were learning to think beyond our individual product to complete solutions.
Technology Demonstration: Showing Real-World Applications
“Making the abstract concrete”
At CES 2023, we demonstrated our Virtual Sensors technology working with partners BlackBerry, Amazon Web Services, and Bosch. This wasn’t about making claims – it was about showing how the technology performs in practice.
Sometimes the best way to explain what you do is simply to show it working.
Major Partnerships: Scaling Virtual Sensor Technology
“When customers commit to your technology at scale”
Two major milestones marked this year. In June, we completed a $15M Series B funding round led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund, with continued support from Shift4Good.
Even more significant was our partnership with Renault Group announced in September. This six-year collaboration will see our virtual sensors for tire and brake wear deployed across over 10 million vehicles in the Renault, Dacia, and Alpine brands by 2030. The partnership represents our transition to working directly with major automotive OEMs as a Tier 1 supplier – a significant validation of our technology’s readiness for series production.
We also strengthened our ecosystem with partnerships with Dewesoft and UTAC, expanding our presence in automotive testing and validation.
From startup to Tier 1 supplier – our technology had found its place in the automotive supply chain.
Continued Development: Expanding Applications
“Building on what works”
Our partnerships with companies like NXP and Sonatus, along with our growing customer base, show that Virtual Sensor technology is finding its place in automotive development. We continue to focus on making the technology more accessible and useful for our customers’ daily work.
We’re still learning, still improving, and still focused on solving real problems in automotive development.
Our Partners
Our partners use Virtual Sensors to replace costly hardware, add new measurement capabilities without additional sensors, monitor component health in real-time, predict wear and failures, and create data-driven services for their customers.
Ready to Talk to the Team?
Virtual Sensors reduce hardware in vehicles while enabling essential vehicle health monitoring throughout the lifecycle. By closing the loop between development, usage, and service, we help manufacturers achieve component right-sizing, weight reduction, efficient predictive maintenance, and reduced environmental impact.