Pico MES
By Pico MES
Pico MES is a California-based manufacturing software company specializing in affordable, cloud-based manufacturing execution systems for small and mid-sized factories. The platform connects shop floor tools, digitizes workflows, and empowers manufacturers to replace outdated manual processes with error-proof digital operations. Pico MES addresses the needs of the overwhelming majority of North American factories—those with 500 or fewer workers—that have been underserved by traditional, enterprise-focused MES solutions.
Founded in 2017 by industry veterans with experience at Tesla, GM, and Alta Motors, Pico MES emerged from the founders’ frustration with existing software that was too rigid, expensive, or complex for most US factories. The company started as a solution to empower manufacturing teams with straightforward, fast-to-implement, robust digital tools. The first demo was held in a Seattle coffee shop, and by 2021, Pico MES had grown its team and began serving clients. Since launch, it has digitized over 10,000 processes, connected 1,900 devices, and been deployed on 700+ workstations.
Pico MES is venture-backed. In August 2023, it raised a $12.35M Series A investment led by Bosch Ventures, with participation from Momenta, Counterpart Ventures, Lemnos, Congruent Ventures, Union Labs, and SE Ventures. Its total funding is estimated at $15M, and annual revenue is estimated at $4.1M (2025), with around 37 employees. The company is valued as an innovative startup, prioritizing growth and product capability over near-term profitability.
Pico MES delivers a modular, cloud-driven MES platform tailored for swift deployment and minimal IT overhead. Key capabilities include:
Digital work instructions with rich multimedia and version control
Real-time production data collection and traceability (by serial/part/job)
Seamless integration with 1,900+ devices and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics, NetSuite, Odoo, Infor, Plex, SolidWorks, etc.)
Pre-built and customizable analytics dashboards
Activity monitoring, operator guidance, skills matrices, and error-proofing
Barcode/ticket scanning, BOM management, API/access to BI tools
Recent enhancements (2024–2025) focus on expanding device integration, no-code workflows, real-time analytics, and error-proofing capabilities. Notable new features include:
Expanded device connector library and API openness
Enhanced operator guidance with layered multimedia content
Rapid deployment modules for specific manufacturing verticals
Mission-driven: Dedicated to democratizing digital transformation, Pico MES builds for “the 98%” (non-enterprise factories), fostering innovation in small-town and mid-sized manufacturing.
Remote-first and Inclusive: The company is entirely remote, embracing distributed teams and valuing individual growth. Founders and early employees remain onboard, reflecting loyalty and engagement.
User-centric: Led by builders with direct experience on the factory floor, Pico MES prioritizes human-centered design, quick support, and solutions that empower non-technical users.
Collaborative: Emphasizes teamwork and close alignment with customer success, with zero tolerance for complexity that alienates customers.
Pico MES serves a fast-growing base of small and mid-sized manufacturers, mostly in North America. Customers span the automotive, battery, aerospace, industrial equipment, and electronics industries. Factories deploying Pico MES report dramatic productivity, quality, and speed improvements after digitizing formerly manual, paper-based assembly and inspection processes.
