CruxOCM

Overview

CruxOCM is a pioneering company specializing in automating operations in industrial control rooms, primarily within the energy sector. Founded in 2017 by Vicki Knott and Roger Shirt, CruxOCM is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. The company has focused on creating innovative solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in control room operations through its proprietary Robotic Industrial Process Automation (RIPA) technology. As of 2024, CruxOCM has successfully raised a total of $27 million USD in funding, with a significant Series A round led by M12, Microsoft's venture fund.

Recent Developments

In August 2024, CruxOCM announced the closing of a $17 million USD Series A funding round. This round was led by M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund, with participation from investors such as ONEOK and EIC Rose Rock Fund. This funding aims to enhance CruxOCM's co-pilot technology for control room operators, supporting critical energy infrastructure globally.
Vicki Knott, CEO of CruxOCM, participated in CERAWeek in March 2024, presenting the company's advancements in automating the energy value chain to improve business intelligence.
CruxOCM has expanded its operations, continuing to innovate within the control room sector by developing new products like pipeBOT and draOPT. These products are designed to reduce manual command entry by up to 85%, significantly reducing operator fatigue and increasing efficiency.
In 2023, CruxOCM received funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta to advance its sustainable energy solutions, focusing on minimizing the environmental impact of control room operations.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	2017
Headquarters	Calgary, Canada
Founders	Vicki Knott, Roger Shirt
Revenue	Not publicly disclosed
Profits	Not publicly disclosed
Key Investors	M12 (Microsoft), ONEOK, EIC Rose Rock Fund
Industry	Energy Sector, Control Room Automation
Number of Employees	Approximately 18-25

Early History

CruxOCM was established in 2017 by Vicki Knott, a former control room operator for the Keystone Pipeline, and Roger Shirt, an industrial automation expert. Recognizing inefficiencies in traditional control room operations, they aimed to innovate by applying automation technology akin to autopilot systems used in aviation. The company's early development focused on the energy sector, creating solutions to enhance safety, sustainability, and operational efficiencies. CruxOCM’s initial product, pipeBOT, leveraged automation technology to streamline pipeline operations, significantly reducing manual interventions and operational risks.

Company Profile and Achievements

CruxOCM's business model centers on developing software solutions that automate and optimize industrial control room operations. The company’s technology suite includes products like pipeBOT, maxOPT, and leanOPT, which use Robotic Industrial Process Automation (RIPA) to improve safety and efficiency.

2017: Founded in Calgary, aimed at revolutionizing control room operations.
2019: Launched first major product, pipeBOT, which automates pipeline management.
2021: Secured $7.6 million CAD in funding to expand their product offerings to other sectors within the energy industry.
2023: Received investment from Emissions Reduction Alberta to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability practices.
2024: Completed a $17 million USD Series A funding round led by M12. These milestones underscore CruxOCM's role as a leader in integrating advanced automation technologies within industrial settings, particularly in energy control rooms.

Current Operations and Market Position

CruxOCM currently focuses on deploying its co-pilot technologies across various segments of the energy sector, including pipelines, gas plants, and other critical infrastructure. Emphasizing sustainability, the company integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its operations, aiming to minimize emissions and optimize resource use. CruxOCM enjoys a competitive advantage through its unique automation solutions that enhance control room operations, pushing the energy sector towards more resilient and efficient practices.

Conclusion

CruxOCM stands at the forefront of control room automation, driven by its commitment to enhancing safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability in the energy sector. With significant backing from leading investors and strategic innovations, CruxOCM is poised to expand its influence across global markets. The company's focus on reducing manual operations while enhancing decision-making capabilities underscores its potential to redefine control room management, offering solutions that support both industry advancements and environmental sustainability.