What Sphero does

Sphero, Inc. is a privately held US educational technology company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Boulder, Colorado (with a workforce presence also noted in the Dallas-Fort Worth area). The company designs and sells programmable robots and STEAM-based learning tools for the PK-12 education market, including the Sphero indi (PK-3, screen-free coding), Sphero Mini (grades 2-6), Sphero BOLT+ (grades 3-10), and Sphero RVR+ (grades 6-12, with USB and 4-pin ports for Raspberry Pi, micro:bit, and Arduino integration via the Sphero Public SDK). The portfolio was expanded in August 2019 through the acquisition of littleBits, which added electronic invention kits, and further broadened in 2024-2026 by the Blueprint engineering line (Blueprint Snap, Blueprint Engineering, Blueprint Robotics).

Underlying technology combines proprietary robot hardware (onboard sensors including IMU, encoders, color/light/IR, accelerometer, and gyroscope, plus DC motors and PCBs) with the Sphero Edu app, which supports block-based coding, JavaScript, and a generative AI coding assistant built on AWS and Amazon Bedrock. Standards-aligned curriculum assets include the Computer Science Foundations (CSF) curriculum, the Sphero BOLT Cybersecurity Labs (20 lessons, developed with Dr. Pauline Mosely and aligned to cyber.org and CSTA standards), Sphero Central lesson library, and educator Professional Development.

The business model is anchored by hardware sales of robots and kits through direct e-commerce (sphero.com), quote-based sales to US K-12 schools and districts, bulk Power Pack/Class Pack bundles, and an international reseller network. Recurring and adjacent revenue streams include curriculum and software subscriptions (Sphero Edu app access), professional development services, and competition/grant programs such as the BOLT Power Up loaner program for Title I schools and non-profits. Customer segments span PK-3 early learning, elementary, middle school, high school and CTE programs, special needs/inclusive education, homeschool families, and community/non-profit youth organizations. Strategic distribution partnerships include TEAM Alliance (for the 2026-27 robotics competition season) and Moravia Consulting (official CEE distributor); Sphero has also been recognized as an Inc. Best Workplace for five consecutive years (2022-2026) and as a Fast Company Most Innovative Education Company in 2025.

Name

Sphero

Legal name

Sphero, Inc.

Website

https://sphero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sphero is a privately held US EdTech company that designs programmable robots and STEAM learning tools (indi, Mini, BOLT+, RVR+, plus the Blueprint engineering line and acquired littleBits kits) for PK-12 schools, districts, CTE programs, and homeschool families, sold via direct e-commerce and quote-based institutional sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Robotics

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Robotics Learning Platforms (EDAFANAB), Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN), AI & Machine Learning for Robotics Programs (EDAMADAK), Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

Keywords

• Programmable educational robots
• K-12 STEM curriculum
• Coding and robotics kits
• STEAM learning tools
• Engineering education kits

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Robots & Kits): Direct e-commerce and quote-based sales of programmable robots (BOLT+, RVR+, Mini, indi) and engineering kits (Blueprint Robotics, Blueprint Snap, Blueprint Engineering, littleBits) to schools, districts, and consumers.
2. Curriculum & Software Subscriptions: Computer Science Foundations (CSF) curriculum, Sphero Edu app access, and lesson content offered as subscription/curriculum offerings bundled with robot purchases.
3. Professional Development Services: Self-guided and facilitated professional development training for educators (e.g., BOLT+ Self-Guided PD, Blueprint Self-Guided PD), generating services revenue alongside hardware sales.
4. Power Pack / Class Pack Bulk Sales: Bundled Power Packs (e.g., BOLT Power Pack of 15 robots + charging cradles at $2,499) and Class Packs (littleBits STEAM+ with 240 Bits) sold to schools and organizations as bulk classroom solutions.
5. International Distribution: Distribution via international resellers and partners (e.g., Moravia Consulting for Central and Eastern Europe) generating channel sales outside the US market.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sphero designs, manufactures, and sells programmable educational robots (BOLT+, RVR+, Mini, indi), modular engineering kits (Blueprint Snap, Blueprint Engineering, Blueprint Robotics, littleBits), and supporting software and curriculum (Sphero Edu app with AI assistant, Sphero Play app, Computer Science Foundations curriculum, Cybersecurity curriculum, Professional Development) for K-12 classrooms, districts, CTE programs, and consumer/homeschool use.

Product overview

Sphero, Inc. is a K-12 STEM education company offering a multi-product platform of programmable robots, engineering kits, and supporting curricula rather than a single unified product. The portfolio centers on four round programmable robots spanning PK through high school — Sphero indi (PK-3, screen-free coding), Sphero Mini (grades 2-6, beginner programming), Sphero BOLT+ (grades 3-10, scalable computer science), and Sphero RVR+ (grades 6-12, expandable robotics with a USB/4-pin port for development boards). The Blueprint engineering ecosystem extends this portfolio with three grade-banded kits — Blueprint Snap (grades 3-5), Blueprint Engineering (ages 14+, with Onshape CAD), and Blueprint Robotics (grades 8-12, modular swerve-drive robotics). The littleBits acquired brand provides hands-on electronic circuit kits for grades 2-7. All coding-focused products are unified through the Sphero Edu app (with its generative AI Assistant powered by Amazon Bedrock) and the Sphero Public SDK for RVR+ expansion. Supporting offerings include Sphero Central lessons, the Sphero Global Challenge, Sphero Robotics Missions/Competitions, Cybersecurity and Computer Science Foundations curricula, and Professional Development services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sphero Edu: Sphero's coding and education app ecosystem for programming Sphero robots, with curriculum, lessons, and AI-assisted coding feedback.
• Sphero Play
• littleBits
• Blueprint
• Sphero Global Challenge

Products and services

• Sphero indi Screen-free coding robot for grades PK-3 (ages 4+) that teaches computational thinking through playful, cross-curricular learning using color tiles.
• Sphero Mini Compact, tabletop-friendly programmable robot for grades 2-6 (ages 5+) that introduces coding, driving, and experimentation to beginners.
• Sphero BOLT+ Scalable programmable robot for grades 3-10 supporting beginner to advanced coding and STEM learning across subjects, with updated sensors and coding capabilities.
• Sphero RVR+ Customizable and expandable all-terrain programmable robot for grades 6-12 (ages 11+) with color, light, IR, accelerometer, and gyroscope sensors, plus USB and 4-pin ports for connecting development boards via the Sphero Public SDK.
• Blueprint Snap Foundational engineering kit for elementary classrooms (grades 3-5, ages 8+) covering structure, motion, and machines through rapid engineering and design thinking.
• Blueprint Engineering Mechanical and electrical engineering kit for ages 14+ supporting one-period build and test cycles, mechanical and electrical engineering, and CAD design with Onshape integration.
• Blueprint Robotics Modular robotics education ecosystem for grades 8-12 with a ready-to-use swerve drive base and mechanical parts, motors, and sensors for collaborative robot build, iteration, and competition.
• littleBits Hands-on electronic circuit kits for grades 2-7 supporting quick inventions, instant feedback, and creative STEAM projects; brand acquired by Sphero in August 2019.
• Sphero Edu App Cross-platform coding app (iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows, Chrome OS) unifying block coding, JavaScript, and an integrated generative AI coding assistant (Amazon Bedrock-powered) with the 'Explain My Program' feature across Sphero's robots.
• Sphero Public SDK Public software development kit enabling developers and educators to connect Raspberry Pi, micro:bit, and Arduino boards to the RVR+ and RVR robots to add sensors, robotic arms, and other hardware; Python support with documentation at sdk.sphero.com.
• Computer Science Foundations Curriculum Standards-aligned three-course (24 lessons each) curriculum progressing from logic and sequencing through advanced Block programming to basic JavaScript, aligned to NGSS, CSTA, and ISTE standards.
• Sphero BOLT Cybersecurity Curriculum 20 free lessons and an Educator Guide for Sphero BOLT that simulate and model cybersecurity concepts (CIA Triad, DDoS, phishing, cryptography) using BOLT's IR communications, aligned to cyber.org and CSTA standards.
• Professional Development Services Flexible training for educators including self-guided Professional Development for BOLT+ and Blueprint, symposiums, and webinars to build confidence teaching coding and robotics.

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• TEAM AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026TEAM Alliance is the presenting partner for Sphero's 2026-27 season of Sphero Robotics Missions™ and Sphero Robotics Competitions™. Programs aim to make robotics education accessible to students who may feel engineering and robotics are out of reach for financial or familiarity reasons. Registration is now open.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) / Amazon BedrockcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 March 2026Sphero built and launched its generative AI coding assistant in the Sphero Edu app using AWS and Amazon Bedrock. The AI Assistant has been accessed more than 15,000 times per week since August 2025, with ~65% of students getting help in a single click. Multilingual support and vision/image processing planned.
• Jamf (MATTER Innovation Hubs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Collaboration between Jamf's MATTER Innovation Hubs and Sphero's programmable robots to revolutionize STEAM access worldwide across countries including Zimbabwe, Haiti, and Afghanistan.
• Moravia ConsultingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Moravia Consulting appointed as Official Distributor for Sphero in Central and Eastern Europe.
• CSforALL CommunityminorOthers · 3 December 2024Sphero joined the National Computer Science Education Community announcement of commitments, alongside 143 commitments from 136 organizations. Sphero committed to developing free resources for 500+ educators to build capacity for teaching computational thinking.
• STEM It Up SportsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2023Sphero partnered with STEM It Up Sports, a national nonprofit, to bring the Sphero Global Challenge in person to hundreds of learners in Texas with broader US expansion planned.
• Dr. Pauline Mosely (Director of Camp CryptoBot)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Information Technology Full Professor who worked closely with Sphero to develop the BOLT Cybersecurity Labs (20 free lessons and Educator Guide). Includes alignment to cyber.org and CSTA standards.
• cyber.orgminorOthers · 1 January 2023Sphero BOLT Cybersecurity lessons and curriculum aligned to cyber.org standards.
• littleBitsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 August 2019Sphero and littleBits joined forces to become the EdTech leader, combining Sphero's programmable robots with littleBits' electronic building blocks. Now part of Sphero's integrated product portfolio.
• Facebook (CodeFWD initiative)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2018Sphero Edu partnered with Facebook's CodeFWD initiative to expand access to computer programming for underrepresented students (Black, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, female audiences) in the US. Provided complimentary Sphero BOLT Power Packs (valued at $2,499 each) to select applicants.
• CodeFWD by Facebook ProgramminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 25 September 2018Facebook's free online program for educators and organizations using videos and activities to inspire interest in computer programming for 4th-8th grade students.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LEGO Education: LEGO Education sells K-12 STEAM kits (SPIKE Prime, WeDo, Mindstorms successor) with curriculum and PD. It is Sphero's largest direct competitor in hands-on robotics and coding for elementary and middle school classrooms, with a stronger consumer brand.
• VEX Robotics: VEX provides classroom and competition robotics kits (VEX GO, IQ, V5) plus the VEX Robotics Competition. It competes with Sphero Blueprint Robotics and RVR+ in middle and high school, especially in CTE and competitive robotics.
• Wonder Workshop: Wonder Workshop (Dash, Dot, Cue) sells K-8 coding robots with the Wonder Workshop app and curriculum. It competes head-to-head with Sphero indi, Mini, and BOLT+ in elementary coding/STEM classrooms.
• Makeblock (mBlock): Makeblock (mBot, Codey Rocky, mBuild) offers programmable robots and a Scratch-based coding platform for K-12. It directly competes with Sphero in the broader STEM robotics and coding-education category globally.
• Ozobot: Ozobot (Evo, Bit) provides screen-free and screen-based coding robots for K-8. It competes most directly with Sphero indi and Mini in early-elementary computational thinking.

Emerging players

• BirdBrain Technologies (Hummingbird): BirdBrain's Hummingbird Bit and Finch robots target middle and high school CS/robotics and integrate with Snap!, Python, and micro:bit. Comparable to Sphero RVR+ and Blueprint for upper-grade STEAM and maker classrooms.
• Arduino Education: Arduino Education (CTC 101, Engineering Kit) provides open hardware and curriculum for secondary STEM. It overlaps with Sphero's Arduino SDK path and Blueprint Engineering for engineering/CTE buyers.
• Tynker: Tynker is a K-12 coding-curriculum and platform provider. It competes for the same curriculum and PD budget as Sphero's Computer Science Foundations, though without proprietary hardware.
• iRobot (Root): iRobot's Root robot targets K-12 coding education with a magnetized wall-climbing bot and coding app. It overlaps with Sphero's elementary/middle-school coding-robot positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Pitsco Education: Pitsco is a long-standing K-12 STEM and CTE curriculum/equipment distributor (including Tetrix robotics). It competes for the same district-level STEAM/CTE budget as Sphero Blueprint and RVR+.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sphero
• GitHubgithub.com/sphero-inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gosphero
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoSphero
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sphero
• Instagraminstagram.com/sphero

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds16 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sphero