Tulip

Tulip is a frontline operations platform, spun out of MIT, that lets manufacturers build apps for the shop floor without traditional software development. Using a drag-and-drop editor, engineers and operations staff create guided work instructions, quality inspections, data collection forms, and production dashboards, then run them on tablets and screens at workstations so operators follow the current process and every step is logged. Tulip connects to machines, sensors, scanners, and existing systems like ERP and MES through its edge devices and connectors, so apps can react to real conditions and pull real data rather than relying on paper and manual entry. The platform includes analytics and machine learning on the collected data, giving managers visibility into cycle times, defects, and bottlenecks that are otherwise invisible. Tulip is used across discrete manufacturing, life sciences, and other regulated industries for assembly, kitting, machine tending, and compliance, and it is recognized by analysts as a leader in manufacturing execution and operations software. The company raised a Series D from a strategic investor in the industrial automation space. Tulip offers a free tier for individual makers and small projects, with paid plans priced per user and workstation that add machine connectivity, more apps, and enterprise governance.