Calumino

About Calumino

Founded in 2014 by Marek Steffanson, Peter Fabian, and Gabi De Wit, Calumino is a Sydney-based company specializing in the development and manufacturing of thermal sensing technology. The company's name is a blend of "calorie" and "luminosity," reflecting its focus on harnessing heat and light energy. The founding team possesses extensive expertise in relevant fields. CEO Marek Steffanson has over 15 years of experience in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and thermal infrared sensing, holding a Ph.D. in Micro- and Nanotechnology. His background includes roles at BMW and leading a nanometrology spin-off. Co-founder Gabi De Wit, the CTO, brings over a decade of expertise in nano-optics and photonics and has been crucial in developing the core technology. A key milestone was securing $10.3 million in a Series A funding round in September 2022, led by Celesta Capital and Taronga Ventures, to fuel R&D and global expansion.

Calumino's core business revolves around its proprietary Calumino Thermal Sensor (CTS), a nanotechnology-based thermal imaging sensor combined with artificial intelligence. The company positions its product as a bridge between expensive, high-grade military bolometers and less sensitive, low-cost thermopiles, making advanced thermal sensing accessible for mass-market applications. The business model is primarily B2B, focusing on OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partnerships, channel partners, and solution development collaborations. Calumino provides its technology as a module for other companies to integrate into their own products, offering evaluation kits and reference designs to shorten time-to-market. Revenue is generated by selling these hardware and software solutions to clients across various industries.

The Calumino Thermal Sensor (CTS) platform offers a low-resolution thermal image, which ensures privacy by not capturing personally identifiable information, a significant differentiator from traditional cameras. The system's on-edge AI analyzes heat signatures to provide actionable data. This enables a wide array of applications, including people counting and occupancy monitoring for energy-efficient building management, fall detection in senior care, hotspot and fire detection for safety, and even differentiating between humans and animals for advanced security or pest control. The sensor's shutterless design allows for uninterrupted, real-time imaging and analysis. The company has successfully commercialized its technology, notably through a partnership with a Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary for a pest control solution in Japan, and collaborations with firms like Steinel, Casambi, and ams OSRAM for lighting control and next-generation sensor development.