Tunisian startup VB SMART is helping small and medium-sized factories digitise and streamline daily operations through a connected manufacturing operations management platform tailored specifically for industrial environments.
Founded in 2019 by Rami Kamoun and Amine Fourati, VB SMART offers functionality similar to productivity tools like ClickUp or Notion, but purpose-built for manufacturing. Instead of relying on spreadsheets, paper logs, or whiteboards, factories can manage machines, people, and tasks within a single, real-time workspace.
At the core of the platform is an industrial IoT layer that connects machines, sensors, and PLC systems to collect live data directly from the shop floor. This enables managers to monitor machine status, track task progress, oversee labour, and identify bottlenecks as they happen.
VB SMART integrates shop-floor data into three main software modules. The planning module uses Gantt charts enriched with real machine availability and workforce data to schedule production accurately. The tracking module applies a Kanban-style interface that combines machine data with human input, allowing supervisors to react quickly to changes. The visualisation module transforms raw industrial data into dashboards and actionable insights to support informed decision-making.
The platform also includes a mobile app for operators and supervisors to update tasks and communicate efficiently, alongside an API layer that integrates with ERP and CMMS systems. For more advanced users, VB SMART supports digital twin technology, enabling factories to simulate production scenarios and manage operations remotely.
According to Kamoun, many SME manufacturers still operate with fragmented systems, leading to miscommunication, delays, downtime, and waste. He estimates that small and medium factories lose between US$500,000 and US$650,000 annually due to poor coordination of tasks and production. VB SMART aims to bridge this gap by combining task management with real factory operations in a flexible, industrial-aware platform.
The startup has completed its MVP and released multiple software versions. It currently serves 10 paying customers with 250 active users and has generated €80,000 in revenue from clients in Tunisia and Morocco. Kamoun noted that factories typically begin to see measurable value within three to six months, following machine and ERP integration, staff training, and several production cycles.
VB SMART is now onboarding new factories in the agri-food and plastics sectors and has joined the FreshMango accelerator in Estonia to refine its go-to-market strategy and prepare for entry into the Italian market. While currently bootstrapped and focused on North Africa, the company plans to expand into Europe, particularly Italy and France, before targeting West African markets such as Cameroon, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.
