TomTom

Company Description

TomTom is a Dutch technology company that creates the digital maps and navigation software that power millions of cars, trucks, and mobile devices worldwide. While consumers may remember TomTom for its iconic portable GPS devices of the 2000s, today the company focuses primarily on providing mapping technology to automakers and tech companies building the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicles. The company operates in two main segments: Location Technology, which provides maps, navigation software, real-time traffic data, and 3D mapping to automotive manufacturers and enterprises; and Consumer, which sells portable navigation devices and mobile apps. The Location Technology segment generates the majority of revenue, with customers including major automakers who embed TomTom maps and navigation in their vehicles' infotainment systems. Founded in 1991 in Amsterdam by Corinne Vigreux, Peter-Frans Pauwels, and Pieter Geelen (originally as Palmtop Software), TomTom became synonymous with GPS navigation after launching its first portable device in 2004. The company has since transformed from a hardware manufacturer into a software and services provider, investing heavily in high-definition maps for autonomous driving and real-time traffic information. Headquartered in Amsterdam with approximately 3,300 employees following a 2025 workforce reduction, TomTom is led by co-founder and CEO Harold Goddijn. In January 2026, the company launched its Orbis Lane Model Maps, providing lane-level precision for advanced driver assistance systems. TomTom competes with HERE Technologies, Google Maps, and other mapping providers in the race to power the autonomous vehicles of the future.