Creative Learning Systems
Creative Learning Systems, operating as SmartLab Learning, is a U.S. K-12 STEM education provider selling integrated lab environments, project-based curriculum, the LearningHub digital platform, and facilitator training to public and private schools and districts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersLongmont, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Creative Learning Systems does
Creative Learning Systems, operating under the brand SmartLab Learning, is a U.S.-based, privately-held provider of integrated K-12 STEM education ecosystems founded in 1987 and headquartered in Longmont, Colorado. The company sells to public and private K-12 schools and districts — targeting district administrators, school administrators, curriculum directors, and educators — and earns revenue through three streams: (1) hardware sales of customized SmartLab environments and equipment (robotics, CNC machines, 3D printers, laser engravers, Ukits, Engino), (2) recurring curriculum and platform subscriptions delivered via the LearningHub digital platform, and (3) professional services including installation, facilitator training, and ongoing support.
The core offering is not a single product but an integrated ecosystem comprising physical learning environments (full-scale SmartLab HQ, modular SmartLab Flex for space-constrained schools, and the SmartLab Studio broadcast hub), age-tiered curriculum programs (Explorer K-5, Pathfinder 6-8, Spark K-12), the LearningHub digital platform for personalized student access and progress tracking, and the SmartLab Certified Facilitator training and national cohort program. Curriculum is project-based, standards-aligned to national and state benchmarks, and connected to 8 career pathways and 8 integrated STEM application areas; the program is positioned around building 'STEM identity' — student belief in belonging, capability, and future-readiness. Pricing is quote-based (not publicly disclosed), and the company provides funding-source resources (grants, operational funds, title funds, financing) to assist schools through complex K-12 procurement.
Go-to-market is a direct enterprise field sales motion targeting K-12 schools and districts domestically in the United States, with multi-stakeholder sales cycles involving superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, and teachers; marketing is multi-channel (blog, resources library, events, social media, SEO, customer testimonials). Recognitions include the 2025 ISTE Seal of Alignment (valid 2025–2027), the 2025 Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence, and the 2024 District Administration Top EdTech Products designation. No funding rounds, parent company, acquisition activity, or revenue figures are disclosed in available materials, and the only named executive in source data is Scott Hanlin, COO.
Creative Learning Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Creative Learning Systems
- Legal name
- Creative Learning Systems
- Website
- https://creativelearningsystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Creative Learning Systems, operating as SmartLab Learning, is a U.S. K-12 STEM education provider selling integrated lab environments, project-based curriculum, the LearningHub digital platform, and facilitator training to public and private schools and districts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Creative Learning Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 STEM Education Services
- NAICS
- All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) & Challenge Platforms (EDAFANAI), Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD), Core Digital Curriculum & Courseware (Full Programs & Units) (EDAFACAA), STEM & Coding Readiness for Early Learners (EDACANAF)
Keywords
Where Creative Learning Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Longmont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Creative Learning Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- STEM Lab Environments and Equipment: Sale and installation of customized SmartLab physical environments (HQ and Flex configurations) with integrated hands-on tools and equipment including robotics, CNC machines, 3D printers, and laser engravers.
- Curriculum and Platform Subscription: Subscription-based access to career-connected project-based learning curriculum delivered through the LearningHub platform, with ongoing curriculum updates and standards alignment.
- Professional Services: Onboarding, installation, facilitator training and certification, and ongoing technical support services to ensure successful implementation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Creative Learning Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Creative Learning Systems provides integrated STEM and digital media learning environments for K-12 schools, combining physical lab environments, hands-on equipment and kits, project-based curriculum, and a digital platform (LearningHub) with training and ongoing support. The company sells turnkey STEM ecosystems across elementary, middle, and high school grade bands under the SmartLab Learning brand.
Product overview
Creative Learning Systems offers SmartLab, an integrated STEM learning ecosystem comprising physical learning environments (SmartLab HQ, Flex, and Studio), age-differentiated curriculum programs (Explorer K-5, Pathfinder 6-8, and Spark K-12), the LearningHub technology platform, and the SmartLab Certified Facilitator training program. These components work together as a unified system: the physical labs provide the hands-on workspace, the curriculum programs deliver project-based learning aligned to career pathways, the LearningHub platform enables digital access and progress tracking, and the facilitator program ensures qualified instructional support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartLab: Career-connected STEM ecosystem delivering integrated learning solutions for K-12 education including labs, curriculum, and facilitator programs.
- SmartLab HQ
- SmartLab Flex
- SmartLab Studio
- LearningHub
- Explorer K-5
- Pathfinder 6-8
- Spark K-12
Products and services
- SmartLab HQ SmartLab HQ is a SmartLab Learning environment offering for K-12 schools that bundles a STEM or digital media lab environment, hands-on equipment and kits, project-based curriculum, and digital platform access into a turnkey program.
- SmartLab Flex SmartLab Flex is a flexible SmartLab Learning environment offering for K-12 schools, designed to deliver an integrated STEM or digital media learning experience adaptable to school needs.
- SmartLab Studio SmartLab Studio is a SmartLab Learning environment offering for K-12 schools focused on digital media production and project-based learning.
- LearningHub Platform LearningHub is the proprietary digital platform from Creative Learning Systems that delivers SmartLab Learning curriculum, projects, and digital media content to K-12 students and facilitators.
- Explorer K-5 Explorer K-5 is the SmartLab Learning project-based curriculum for elementary school students in grades K through 5.
- Pathfinder 6-8 Pathfinder 6-8 is the SmartLab Learning project-based curriculum for middle school students in grades 6 through 8.
- Spark K-12 Spark K-12 is a SmartLab Learning project-based curriculum offering spanning K through 12 grade levels.
- Career-Connected PBL Curriculum Career-Connected PBL is a project-based learning curriculum from SmartLab Learning that connects K-12 STEM projects to career pathways.
- SmartLab Certified Facilitator Program The SmartLab Certified Facilitator Program is a professional training and certification offering that prepares teachers and staff to deliver SmartLab Learning STEM and digital media experiences.
Companies that use Creative Learning Systems
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Creative Learning Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Creative Learning Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Creative Learning Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Project Lead The Way: Non-profit K-12 STEM curriculum provider offering structured pathways across elementary, middle, and high school. Directly comparable to Creative Learning Systems because it sells career- and project-connected STEM curriculum to districts nationwide, competing head-to-head on RFI/RFP lists for STEM programs.
- Pitsco Education: Provider of integrated K-12 STEM solutions combining curriculum, hands-on kits, lab furniture, and teacher training, with an enterprise sales motion to districts. Closely mirrors Creative Learning Systems' model of installing physical STEM environments paired with curriculum and facilitator support.
- Defined: K-12 PBL and career-connected curriculum platform (formerly Defined STEM/Defined Careers). Strongly comparable because it also ties project-based learning to real-world career pathways via a digital platform, attacking the same curriculum-buyer segment as SmartLab Spark.
- Accelerate Learning (STEMscopes): Provider of STEMscopes and other K-12 STEM curricula with hands-on kits and digital tools. Comparable to Creative Learning Systems as a competing standards-aligned STEM curriculum provider selling into the same district-level STEM adoption budgets.
- VEX Robotics: Sells K-12 robotics platforms, curriculum, and competition ecosystems. Comparable because robotics tools (Ukits, robotics systems) are a core hardware layer in SmartLab environments, and VEX competes for the same STEM labs/equipment budget line at the district level.
- LEGO Education: Provider of K-12 STEAM kits and lesson plans including robotics and building systems (SPIKE, WeDo, Mindstorms). Comparable as a competing hands-on STEM platform whose kits (e.g., LEGO Mindstorms-style building kits like Engino) sit alongside SmartLab's Engino/Ukit building systems in the same classroom.
- BrainPOP: Subscription-based K-12 digital STEM/STEAM content and curriculum platform. Comparable to the LearningHub curriculum layer of SmartLab as an alternative way for districts to deliver STEM learning, often picked instead of a lab-based ecosystem on tighter budgets.
Emerging players
- Tynker: K-12 coding and computational-thinking platform. Comparable as a STEM/coding-focused digital curriculum competing for the same funding sources and delivering part of the STEM application areas (coding, computational thinking, AI literacy) that SmartLab integrates.
- Sphero: Sells educational robots and STEM kits to K-12 schools. Comparable as a supplier of hands-on programmable STEM tools (similar in spirit to SmartLab's robotics component), but at a smaller scope and without the integrated PBL curriculum or lab environment.
Broad incumbents
- Discovery Education: Large K-12 digital content and curriculum provider with STEM modules. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same district content budgets, but without the physical-lab/facilitator integration that anchors SmartLab's offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Creative Learning Systems social profiles
Digital presenceCreative Learning Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Creative Learning Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Creative Learning Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Creative Learning Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Creative Learning Systems
What does Creative Learning Systems do?
Creative Learning Systems provides integrated STEM and digital media learning environments for K-12 schools, combining physical lab environments, hands-on equipment and kits, project-based curriculum, and a digital platform (LearningHub) with training and ongoing support. The company sells turnkey STEM ecosystems across elementary, middle, and high school grade bands under the SmartLab Learning brand.
Is Creative Learning Systems a public or private company?
Creative Learning Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Creative Learning Systems founded?
Creative Learning Systems was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Creative Learning Systems based?
Creative Learning Systems is headquartered in Longmont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Creative Learning Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. STEM Lab Environments and Equipment is the primary driver. The others are curriculum and Platform Subscription and professional Services.
Who are Creative Learning Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Project Lead The Way, Pitsco Education, Defined, Accelerate Learning (STEMscopes), VEX Robotics, LEGO Education and BrainPOP. Emerging players are Tynker and Sphero. Discovery Education is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Creative Learning Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Creative Learning Systems.
What industry is Creative Learning Systems in?
Creative Learning Systems's product category is K-12 STEM Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAMAG, Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms), with a secondary code of EDAFANAI, STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) & Challenge Platforms. Its NAICS code is 61169 and its SIC code is 7372.