SparkFun Electronics

What SparkFun Electronics does

SparkFun Electronics is a Boulder, Colorado-based private electronics retailer and open-source hardware company founded in 2003 that sells components, development boards, sensors, GNSS/GPS modules, IoT and wireless devices, and kits directly through its e-commerce storefront and via distributor channel partners such as DigiKey. Its technical platform centers on three proprietary frameworks: the Qwiic I2C connector ecosystem (over 50 supported sensors with auto-detection, enabling solderless plug-and-play prototyping), the MicroMod M.2-based modular processor/function board architecture, and the SparkPNT product line for high-precision positioning, navigation, and timing. SparkFun designs and sources its own branded boards (Thing Plus, RedBoard, Artemis, ESP32 variants) while also distributing third-party platforms including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, Teensy, and STM32-based products.

The company operates a hybrid GTM combining product-led self-serve e-commerce, event-driven field marketing at venues like embedded world, and a community-led motion anchored by learn.sparkfun.com tutorials, a technical support forum, GitHub repositories, and a dedicated SparkFun Education program for K-12 and university STEM buyers. Pricing is unit-based with products ranging from sub-$2 components to over $3,500 SparkPNT kits, and volume discounts at 25+ and 100+ unit tiers serve the small enterprise and reseller segment. Customer segments span engineers/makers/students (primary), IoT and wireless developers, and a growing industrial/professional cohort via SparkPNT.

In June 2026 SparkFun spun out SparkPNT as a wholly-owned subsidiary from its SparkX experimental division to commercialize open-source GNSS receivers, reference stations, and timing devices targeting industrial, logistics, robotics, and agricultural applications. The company employs 51-100 people, operates primarily in North America, and received approximately $2.99M in disclosed funding from Opportunity Now Colorado in March 2024, its first known institutional capital event.

Name

SparkFun Electronics

Legal name

SparkFun Electronics

Website

https://sparkfun.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SparkFun Electronics is a Boulder, Colorado-based open-source hardware retailer selling electronic components, development boards, sensors, and GNSS products to engineers, makers, students, and IoT developers via direct e-commerce and distributor channels like DigiKey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Open-Source Hardware Development

NAICS

Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593)

SIC

Electronic Connectors (3678)

akta.pro primary industry

Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail (CRACAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN), Semiconductors, ICs & Microcontrollers Retail (CRACAKAB)

Keywords

• Open-source hardware
• Development boards
• Electronic components
• GNSS positioning
• IoT prototyping

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: SparkFun generates revenue through the direct sale of electronic components, development boards, sensors, wireless modules, kits, and prototyping tools through its e-commerce platform. Products range from individual components ($1.95-$400+) to complete development kits and systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SparkFun Electronics designs, manufactures, and distributes open-source electronic development boards, sensors, GNSS/GPS positioning products, wireless modules, and prototyping kits for engineers, makers, students, and educators. The company operates a direct-to-customer e-commerce platform (sparkfun.com) and supports a Qwiic plug-and-play I2C connector ecosystem, MicroMod modular platform, and the SparkPNT subsidiary for high-precision positioning, navigation, and timing products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SparkPNT: Open-source, repairable, and upgradable GNSS products including receivers, reference stations, and timing devices for industrial, logistics, robotic, and agricultural sectors. A wholly-owned subsidiary of SparkFun Electronics dedicated to positioning, navigation, and timing.
• SparkX

Products and services

• SparkPNT (GNSS Positioning, Navigation & Timing) A line of open-source, repairable GNSS receivers, RTK surveyors, reference stations, and timing devices targeting industrial, logistics, robotics, and agricultural applications.
• SparkFun DataLogger IoT - 9DoF ESP32-based 9DoF data logger with auto-detection of Qwiic sensors, local microSD storage, and wireless cloud connectivity for IoT applications.
• SparkPNT GNSS Disciplined Oscillator Plus High-precision GNSS-disciplined oscillator for timing synchronization applications.
• SparkFun GNSS Timing Breakout - ZED-F9T-20B (Qwiic) GNSS timing breakout board with u-blox ZED-F9T-20B module and Qwiic connector for precision timing applications.
• SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32-C5 Thing Plus form-factor ESP32-C5 development board with Wi-Fi 6, BLE, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter support.
• SparkFun 9DoF IMU Breakout - IM19 9-degrees-of-freedom inertial measurement unit breakout board with IM19 sensor for motion sensing.
• SparkFun Qwiic 12 Bit DAC Breakout - MCP4725 12-bit digital-to-analog converter breakout board with Qwiic connector for analog output applications.
• SparkFun BlueSMiRF v2 - JST Bluetooth serial module with JST connector for wireless serial communication.
• SEGGER J-Link EDU Mini (with USB-C Cable) ARM development programmer/debugger with USB-C interface for embedded development.
• Qwiic Ecosystem (Sensors, Breakouts, Connectors) Solderless I2C connector ecosystem with 50+ compatible sensors, breakouts, and modules enabling plug-and-play prototyping with auto-detection.
• MicroMod Ecosystem (Processor Boards & Function Boards) Modular M.2-standard interface with interchangeable Processor Boards and Function Boards for customizable embedded development solutions.
• Arduino-Compatible Development Boards (RedBoard) Arduino-compatible RedBoard development boards with Uno R3 footprint for microcontroller-based prototyping.
• SparkFun Education Kits (EDU Program) Custom-designed educational electronics kits and curriculum support for K-12 makerspaces, university engineering programs, and STEM education workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• Move from concept to working prototype in hours rather than days
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Raspberry Pi LtdcoreTechnology or Integration · 30 June 2025SparkFun integrates Raspberry Pi Radio Module 2 in Thing Plus – RP2350 product. The module features Infineon CYW43439 chip with full modular certification, enabling SparkFun to offer certified wireless connectivity in its development boards.
• DigiKeycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigiKey distributes SparkFun products and demonstrated SparkFun's XRP robotics platform at embedded world 2026 as part of rapid prototyping demonstrations. SparkFun is listed among key players in the Arduino-compatible market alongside DigiKey's distribution ecosystem.
• Qwiic Ecosystem PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Qwiic ecosystem includes 50+ sensors and devices from various manufacturers that are compatible with SparkFun's Qwiic connector system, enabling broad interoperability.
• u-bloxcoreTechnology or Integrationu-blox GNSS modules (ZED-F9P, NEO-F9P, ZED-X20P) are integrated into SparkFun's GNSS boards, receivers, and timing products.
• EspressifcoreTechnology or IntegrationSparkFun develops ESP32-based products including Thing Plus ESP32 WROOM and ESP32-C5 boards, integrating Espressif's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Adafruit Industries: Adafruit is the closest direct competitor to SparkFun, operating an online retail store for electronics components, development boards, sensors, and kits targeted at makers, engineers, and students. Both companies share the open-source hardware philosophy, tutorial-driven content model, and proprietary connector ecosystems (Qwiic vs. STEMMA QT).
• DFRobot: DFRobot is a maker-focused electronics retailer and OEM with development boards, sensors, and kits targeting the education and hobbyist segments. Its Gravity connector system parallels SparkFun's Qwiic, and its product range and target customers are closely comparable to SparkFun's catalog.
• Seeed Studio: Seeed Studio is a Shenzhen-based maker electronics company selling development boards, sensors, and IoT modules through both DTC and distributor channels. Its Grove ecosystem competes with Qwiic, and its Wio Terminal, Xiao, and reTerminal product lines overlap with SparkFun's Thing Plus and MicroMod offerings.
• Pololu: Pololu is a US-based electronics retailer specializing in robotics, motor control, and embedded systems components. It shares SparkFun's focus on individual components and development boards for engineers and hobbyists, with overlapping product categories in sensors, microcontrollers, and prototyping tools.
• Arduino: Arduino is both a partner and competitor to SparkFun, selling its own branded development boards and software ecosystem targeted at makers, educators, and professionals. SparkFun distributes Arduino-compatible products and competes with Arduino's own boards, sensors, and IoT offerings in the same maker ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• DigiKey: DigiKey is one of the world's largest electronics distributors with millions of SKUs across components, development boards, and test equipment. It carries SparkFun products as a distribution partner while also competing in many of the same maker and engineering customer segments with its own catalog and broad-line scale advantages.
• Mouser Electronics: Mouser is a major global electronics distributor offering semiconductors, development boards, sensors, and tools to engineers and buyers. It competes with SparkFun for engineering customers while also serving as a potential distribution channel, with significantly greater catalog breadth and procurement scale.
• Arrow Electronics: Arrow Electronics is a Fortune 500 electronics distributor serving enterprise and industrial customers with broad-line component distribution. While it operates at a different scale and target market than SparkFun, it increasingly competes in the IoT, embedded, and maker-adjacent segments where SparkFun also operates.

Emerging players

• Crowd Supply: Crowd Supply is an open-source hardware product launch and crowdfunding platform that helps makers bring products to market. It is a partial competitor to SparkFun's SparkX experimental division and competes for the attention and dollars of the same maker and open-source hardware community.
• Tindie: Tindie is a marketplace for buying and selling handmade electronics, components, and maker goods from independent sellers. It overlaps with SparkFun's marketplace-style catalog by aggregating niche maker products, although it does not produce proprietary hardware at SparkFun's scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sparkfun
• GitHubgithub.com/sparkfun
• YouTubeyoutube.com/sparkfun
• Facebookfacebook.com/SparkFun
• Instagraminstagram.com/sparkfun
• TikToktiktok.com/@sparkfun.electronics?lang=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sparkfun-electronics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about SparkFun Electronics