Promwad vs Very: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promwad (4.4/5) edges ahead of Very (3.8/5) overall. Promwad is the better choice for hardware startups heading for volume production. Very is the stronger option for US companies building a first connected product. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Promwad vs Very: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 2011 |
| HQ | Essen, Germany | USA (fully distributed) |
| Team size | 101–250 | 51–200 |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities | Product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, time & materials, dedicated team | Time & materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, Embedded Linux | C, Elixir, Nerves |
| Industries served | Telecom & broadcast, Automotive, Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging |
Promwad vs Very: overview
Promwad
Roman Pakholkov started Promwad in Minsk in 2004 to design mass-produced electronics on system-on-chip platforms, and the company has since moved its business into the EU, with headquarters in Essen, Germany and a client delivery office in Lithuania. It reports more than 100 employees across 15 countries (per company website; independently unverifiable) and over 500 completed projects. Work spans schematic and PCB design, FPGA logic, embedded Linux, RTOS firmware and preparing designs for factory production. Broadcast video, telecom, automotive and industrial automation are its most frequently cited sectors.
Very
Very is a US IoT engineering firm that grew out of a design and development agency founded in 2011 and now works as a distributed team, with its earlier base in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Directory listings put its size at 51 to 200 people. It builds IoT products across hardware engineering, firmware, mobile apps and data, and it hired a co-author of the Nerves project, which runs Elixir on embedded Linux. Reviews mention hardware, firmware, React Native and AI feature work, so firmware is one part of a broader product offer.
Services and capabilities: Promwad vs Very
| Capability | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Bare-metal & RTOS firmware | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded Linux & BSP | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronics & PCB design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless & IoT connectivity | ✓ | ✓ |
| Secure boot & OTA | ✗ | ✗ |
| FPGA development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Firmware testing & HIL | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Promwad vs Very
| Framework / platform | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| Yocto | ✓ | N/A |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | ✓ | N/A |
| Nordic | N/A | ✓ |
| NXP | ✓ | N/A |
| FPGA | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Promwad vs Very
| Criterion | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Promwad vs Very
| Dimension | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Telecom & broadcast, Automotive, Industrial IoT | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging |
| Best use cases | Designing an FPGA-based video encoder board with embedded Linux, Taking an IoT sensor from prototype to a design ready for volume production | Taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot, Building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
Promwad vs Very: pros and cons
| Promwad | |
|---|---|
| + | FPGA and firmware engineers work in the same team, which helps on video and high-speed interface products |
| + | Design-for-manufacturing experience reduces surprises when a prototype moves to a contract manufacturer |
| + | Twenty years of shipped products gives it a long reference list across telecom and broadcast |
| + | Contracting through EU entities simplifies procurement for European buyers |
| - | Founded in Belarus and relocated to the EU; some buyers will want to confirm where their engineers are actually based |
| - | Headcount figures vary by source, so ask who will be assigned before signing |
| - | Pure firmware jobs without a hardware component are a smaller share of its portfolio |
| Very | |
|---|---|
| + | Combines product strategy, design and engineering for teams new to hardware |
| + | Nerves experience is rare and useful for Elixir-based device software |
| + | Delivers the device, app and data platform together |
| - | Firmware is one part of a product agency offer |
| - | US rates without a lower-cost offshore option |
| - | Office location and headcount details vary between sources |
Who should choose Promwad?
A typical fit: designing an FPGA-based video encoder board with embedded Linux.
Combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Telecom & broadcast, Automotive, Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics.
Who should choose Very?
A typical fit: taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot.
Product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging.
Decision matrix: Promwad vs Very
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Promwad |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Promwad |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Promwad (Not disclosed) vs Very (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Promwad |
| You need engineers to extend your own firmware team | Promwad |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Promwad vs Very
| Use case | Promwad fit | Very fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designing an FPGA-based video encoder board with embedded Linux | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| Taking an IoT sensor from prototype to a design ready for volume production | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| Taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Fixed-price firmware build | Strong | Strong | Both |
| Extending an in-house firmware team | Strong | Strong | Both |
Verdict: Promwad vs Very
Promwad (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities.
Very (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux. If your situation matches that, Very is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Promwad vs Very FAQ
Is Promwad better than Very?
Promwad (4.4/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Promwad's strongest advantage: FPGA and firmware engineers work in the same team, which helps on video and high-speed interface products. Very's strongest advantage: combines product strategy, design and engineering for teams new to hardware.
How do Promwad and Very differ in pricing?
Promwad uses fixed project, time & materials, dedicated team pricing. Very uses time & materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Promwad or Very?
Promwad is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each service provider before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Promwad and Very?
Promwad's primary differentiator is: combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities. Very's primary differentiator is: product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience. They also differ in team size (101–250 vs 51–200), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Telecom & broadcast, Automotive vs Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics).
Verify all details directly with each service provider before making a decision.