Our history

Over 35 years of knowledge and experience in the field of automotive engineering - also from many consulting projects: As of 2024, companies in other industries are able to benefit even more from MicroNova’s expertise, as MicroNova has established a dedicated specialist area for high-tech consulting.

In July, the MicroNova team grew to a strength of 400 - another milestone after reaching 300 in 2019.

MicroNova had a 50 kWp photovoltaic system installed on the roof of its headquarters in Vierkirchen. It supplements the feed-in from the hydroelectric power plant owned by MicroNova's founding family. Thus, MicroNova will continue to generate more electricity than it consumes itself.

The initiative "Familienpakt Bayern" (Bavarian Family Pact), which is supported by the Bavarian state government, among others, has set itself the goal of further strengthening the compatibility of work and family - and of course MicroNova is also pursuing this goal, underpinned by a corresponding membership since March 2023. More info here.

The Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy names MicroNova "Bavaria's Best 50" in July 2022. The award is given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have shown particularly strong growth in recent years. The basis for the selection is both increases in the number of employees and in revenue, whereby the growth must not come primarily from acquisitions, but must be organic. MicroNova has fulfilled these requirements for the considered fiscal years 2017 to 2022 (2022 per forecast) - and can therefore be pleased about the award personally presented by the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger to CEO Orazio Ragonesi and founder Josef W. Karl.

• To the press release

In April 2022, MicroNova celebrates its 35th anniversary - and has meanwhile grown to 320 employees. This history shows important changes and milestones from then until today. What has remained: the motivation and joy for what is to come.

An open and independent standard for mobile networks is the main goal of the O-RAN Alliance - which has a further member with MicroNova since October 2021. MicroNova contributes its knowledge of Radio Access Network (RAN) management, built up over many years. In this way, associated industry and research projects are to be supported.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is opening up far-reaching new opportunities to connect physical and virtual objects to each other for smarter use. At the beginning of 2021, MicroNova added an official IoT offering to its portfolio - the nucleus for today's IIoT energy management offering.

In order to offer automotive manufacturers time- and cost-efficient as well as comprehensive test solutions for fuel cell ECUs, Smart Testsolutions GmbH and MicroNova combine their know-how in the areas of fuel cell measurement technology and HiL applications.

MicroNova and highstreet technologies GmbH from Berlin have been officially working together as partners since October 2020. The aim is to support mobile communications companies, particularly in the introduction and operation of 5G and the associated technology shift - the key words here are Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV).

Exemplary processes and exemplary preparation - these are the two main reasons why MicroNova was able to achieve TISAX certification (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange; a security standard for cross-company recognition of information security assessments in the automotive industry) in less than a quarter of a year. So, what other companies might take as long as nine months to achieve, was done with impressive speed, despite the restrictions imposed by the corona pandemic.

MicroNova is officially part of the alliance against insect mortality and decline in species richness. "With the Blühpakt Bayern we want to stop this trend and develop a broad alliance for this purpose." - so it says on the websites of the Blühpakt Bayern. Find more info here.

MicroNova joins the two clusters "Electromobility South-West" as well as "Fuel Cell BW". Since the beginning of 2020, the company has been contributing its expertise in test systems for electronic components in the field of electromobility to the two networks.

At the turn of the year, reports of a virus from Wuhan increased, and so began the wildfire around the world ... From March, the noticeable restrictions began, also at MicroNova. Thanks to the excellently positioned IT department, a smooth and seamless transition to almost complete mobile working was achieved. And MicroNova was also able to help alleviate the shortage of masks in the first few days through tangible personal and technical commitment.

300 people are now working at ten different locations for MicroNova.

The new MicroNova building is selected by the Bavarian Chamber of Architects as a showpiece for the so-called "Architektouren 2019" and opens its doors for the public in June 2019.  The plans for the building were developed by the architectural office Obereisenbuchner in Pfaffenhofen (Ilm).

In July 2019, the President of the Bavarian State Parliament Ilse Aigner awards MicroNova the "Partnerstein" on behalf of the county chapters Dachau of the Frauenunion (FU), the Mittelstandsunion (MU) and the Christlich-Soziale Arbeitnehmerunion (CSA). The prize is awarded for special merits in promoting the compatibility of family and career.

In May 2018, MicroNova moved into the newly completed building number 6 in the campus-like Vierkirchen Business Park. With 3,500 sqm of office space, the new headquarters are located directly opposite company building #17, which has been in use since 1994 and now houses the Testing Solutions division. About 160 employees work together in both buildings.

The Enterprise Solutions team continues to grow and has added another manufacturer to its portfolio: monday.com. With the solution, companies can establish professional, collaborative project management.

In May 2017, MicroNova celebrates the foundation stone ceremony for its new “Business Park Vierkirchen”. On approximately 3,500 square meters of office space, the new Building #6 will offer three floors and a capacity for 100 work places.

The milestone birthday in April is not only the occasion for a small celebration, but also for a special edition of the corporate magazine InNOVAtion summarising many informative figures, facts and data as well as some special, worth reading anecdotes of the company’s history. By now around 230 employees are working for the MicroNova Group, including the AG as well as the subsidiary in the Czech Republic and the affiliate in Kassel, Germany.

On January 1, MicroNova founder Josef W. Karl resigns from his position as CEO of MicroNova AG and becomes chairman of the Supervisory Board. Orazio Ragonesi is named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mangaging Board of MicroNova; Dr. Klaus Eder continues to serve as Chief Operating Officer(COO).

In November 2015, MicroNova AG founds the first foreign subsidiary: cz.MicroNova s.r.o takes care of clients at its location in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic).

With effect from May 1, 2015 the Supervisory Board of MicroNova appoints Dr. Klaus Eder and Orazio Ragonesi as members of the Managing Board of the company. Orazio Ragonesi is named deputy CEO. Josef W. Karl, so far sole member of the Managing Board, presides as CEO. Moreover, Dr. Klaus Eder complements the management of the subsidiary carts GmbH (since January 2017: ks.MicroNova GmbH) headquartered in Kassel and joins Josef W. Karl and Orazio Ragonesi as Managing Director.

MicroNova develops version 4.0 of the test automation solution EXAM, which is implemented globally across the Volkswagen Group. The roll-out is planned for the end of the year.

MicroNova unveils the networking solution ViViAN, which paves the way for a secure exchange of medical information between medical practices, clinics, care establishments, and other stakeholders within the healthcare system. The company creates the technological basis for an integrated, cross-sector patient care.

In April, employees, customers, and management celebrate a quarter of a century of MicroNova. A glance at the company history shows that there have been many successes and that MicroNova has always been on a solid footing even during times of economic downturn. 110 employees now stand for quality and the power of innovation at offices in Ingolstadt, Vierkirchen and Wolfsburg.

MicroNova AG establishes the new business unit eHealth & Medical IT for the sales and distribution of the medical documentation solution VisioDok. The software was developed by P&L EDV-Systeme GmbH, whose solutions have belonged to MicroNova since January 2012.

MicroNova AG integrates the LTE technology in the established 'Common Planning & Configuration Manager' (CPCM), which supports the planning and operation of mobile networks.

MicroNova and carts (since January 2017: ks.MicroNova) introduce the modular designed HiL system NovaCarts, which facilitates the flexible testing of Electronic Control Units.

MicroNova AG begins a cooperation in the field of IT Management with Controlware, a renowned German systems integrator and IT service provider.

EXAM, the test automation software used across the Volkswagen Group is immediately available in the new Version 3.0.

Over 100 people can now call MicroNova AG their company following the creation of new posts over the last twelve months. 

From this moment, MicroNova begins a close cooperation with the HiL-manufacturer carts GmbH (since January 2017: ks.MicroNova GmbH) from Kassel, Germany. MicroNova owner Josef W. Karl has taken over carts Real-Time Solutions GmbH within the framework of a 'transferential restructuring' and has re-founded the company under the name carts GmbH, retaining all of its 35 employees. At the time of the takeover, the company has significant potential, a good structure, and a solid order book. 

MicroNova AG opens a new office in Ingolstadt in order to reach even more customers.

During this year, MicroNova takes on the official distribution of the test-automation solution EXAM, to be deployed worldwide, across the entire Volkswagen Group. The company releases EXAM 2.0 and assumes the responsibility for training. The company publishes its own EXAM website to facilitate the downloading of the solution. Furthermore, MicroNova takes over the responsibility for the EXAM implementation and adjustments with suppliers, as well as the further development of EXAM as a whole.

MicroNova electronic GmbH and the TWT AG Technologie and Wissenstransfer (technology and knowledge transfer) merge to become MicroNova AG. MicroNova founder Josef W. Karl took over TWT AG in 2003 from ITW e.V./Munich University of Applied Sciences, with a view to further developing what was then a purely higher education portal into a university-related consulting company for the areas of automobile and information technology.

MicroNova AG founds a subsidiary in Wolfsburg in order to support the implementation of EXAM in the Volkswagen Group.

The company unveils a NovaSim HiL-Simulator to the market, allowing both diesel and petrol engines to now be tested with a single device. 

A round number, a number to be proud of: The company has grown to 60 employees since it was founded 20 years ago

Since 2006, MicroNova has developed to become the largest development partner for AUDI and VW for the UML-based test automation solution EXAM (EXtended Automation Method) that standardizes the test programming within the Volkswagen group.

MicroNova develops a management solution for o2 for the neighborhood relationships of radio cells, which, among other aspects, regulates the transfer of a telephone call from one radio cell to the next; the genesis of what would later be the 'Common Planning & Configuration Manager (CPCM)'.

The development of the 'NovaSim' HiL simulators for ECU testing gets underway. The focus lies in the automotive areas of engine, comfort, and infotainment. 

MicroNova electronic GmbH becomes the exclusive sales partner of AdventNet Inc. - now ZOHO Corp. - for the ManageEngine solutions in Germany. Meanwhile, the ManageEngine team at MicroNova supports more than 2,500 customers in using the ManageEngine solutions, which ease the burden on IT administrators in their daily work.

From a position as a purely service-based company, MicroNova develops more and more into a provider of products and standard solutions. For this purpose, the company defines a product management process under ISO 9001, which manages the entire life cycle of a product. At the same time, the company celebrates its 15th birthday.

MicroNova electronic GmbH celebrates ten years of existence. At this time the company employs 25 people.

In order to facilitate a test for different types of gears, including front, rear, and all-wheel, MicroNova develops a five machine, all-wheel transmission test bed. In the same year the company gains approved certification for the first time through the German TÜV Süd under ISO 9001.

MicroNova delivers a true to life, system-related software for driving simulators, which, among other factors, recreates the effective acceleration, the driver view, and driving sounds. The company also takes on the responsibility for the specification, creation, and testing of software for a brake-system manufacturer. The tested brake-management system is deployed on rail vehicles including, for example, the Munich tram system and the ICE (InterCity Express) trains.

In 1994, having needed to rent a second office in Dachau due to a lack of space, the company moves into its own building (1800msq) in Vierkirchen with some 20 employees.

Within the context of a project extending over several years, MicroNova develops software for a management-system for telecommunications networks. 

From 1990, MicroNova deals primarily with real-time critical embedded software. Among the projects is the development of a high-precision radio clock for the synchronization of distributed telecommunication nodes, designed for a globally operating telecommunications group.

The first employee, who celebrated his 25th company anniversary on 1st January 2013, joins the young company. Just a few months later, MicroNova moves – now with three employees – into a 200msq office space at Münchner Straße 41, in Dachau, close to Munich.

In April 1987, Josef W. Karl founded MicroNova electronic GmbH, in Jetzendorf, Germany. Soon afterwards came the first order for the development of the basic software and hardware for a digital multi-processor system.