Micatu

Micatu Inc. operates as a developer of optical sensing solutions tailored for the power and industrial sectors. Founded in 2011 by Michael Oshetski, the company is headquartered in Horseheads, New York, with a mission to fundamentally change how the world measures with light. Oshetski, a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, brings over two decades of experience in the optics industry to his role as CEO. His background in managing product development and his expertise in optics have been central to the company's direction.

The company's core business revolves around providing highly accurate measurement and analytics for electrical grids through its modular, optical sensing technology platform. Micatu serves a clientele primarily composed of electric utility companies and industrial businesses, offering them tools to modernize their grids. Revenue is generated through the sale of its hardware and accompanying software platforms. The business model focuses on delivering solutions that are safer, more accurate, and more affordable than legacy systems, which is particularly relevant as grids become more complex with the integration of renewable energy sources.

Micatu's flagship product is the GridView optical sensing platform, which measures voltage, current, temperature, and vibration with high fidelity. This platform utilizes light passed through an optical crystal to measure the electric field, a non-conductive method that enhances safety by avoiding the risks of saturation and combustion associated with traditional sensors. The sensors can be deployed on overhead lines, underground, and even in groundless configurations, and are designed to retrofit into existing grid infrastructures. A key feature is their high sample rate of 15,000 samples per cycle, providing granular data that is crucial for managing grid disruptions and integrating distributed energy resources. The platform includes the certusEDGE Edge Processing Unit, which can measure up to the 2500th harmonic, offering deep power quality analytics and enabling autonomous local responses to grid disturbances. This technology provides utilities with actionable data to improve power quality, manage safety, and enhance overall grid resilience.

The company's journey began in a garage in 2011 and has seen significant milestones, including winning the $1 million grand prize in the 76West Clean Energy Business Competition. Micatu has raised a total of $10 million over three funding rounds, with a notable Series A round of $10 million in January 2021, led by WAVE Equity Partners. This funding supports the company's global expansion and the scaled manufacturing of its GridView platform to meet growing demand. Keywords: optical sensing, grid modernization, power quality monitoring, smart grid sensors, utility technology, real-time grid data, voltage and current measurement, renewable energy integration, grid resilience, edge computing for utilities, harmonic distortion measurement, non-conductive sensors, electric grid analytics, underground sensors, overhead line monitoring, industrial sensors, distributed energy resources (DER), optical transformers, energy infrastructure, electrical grid safety, substation automation, power system measurement, data-driven grid management, advanced metering infrastructure, smart grid solutions