Red Pitaya
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersSolkan, Slovenia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Red Pitaya does
Red Pitaya is a Slovenian designer and manufacturer of open-source FPGA-based test and measurement instrumentation, headquartered in Solkan, Slovenia with a new US sales and engineering office opened in Dallas, Texas in 2025. The company builds compact bench instruments — including the STEMlab 125-14 series, SIGNALlab 250-12, SDRlab 122-16, STEMlab TI series, and the Gen 2 platform launched in 2025 — that combine analog input/output, digital I/O, and an open software stack on a single FPGA board, displacing traditional proprietary instruments from Keysight, National Instruments, and Tektronix at a fraction of the price point. Target users span academic research, quantum computing hardware teams (PsiQuantum, IonQ, Xanadu, PASQAL), aerospace (NASA), and industrial developers, with a community of over 150,000 registered users and more than 30,000 customers accumulated since the 2013 Kickstarter launch.
The company's business model is predominantly hardware unit sales at ASPs ranging from approximately $490 to $1,366+, complemented by accessories, subscription support packages, and paid training. Distribution is multi-channel: direct sales, Digi-Key, Mouser, RS Components, and a December 2025 partnership with Yotta Volt covering 87 EMEA countries. Hardware revenue is split with the United States accounting for over 50% of the global base. The strategic relationship with Texas Instruments, formalized in 2025, positions the STEMlab TI line as a co-developed instrumentation platform. Following a 2021 ownership change backed by ARX Equity Partners, the company has accelerated US market entry, product refresh cadence, and award recognition (multiple 2025 industry awards, on top of the original 2014 Frost & Sullivan award).
A notable differentiator is the open-source ecosystem model: the FPGA firmware, software libraries, and reference designs are openly published, enabling third-party developers and OEM customers to extend functionality. This community-driven approach has produced a defensible installed base of 150,000+ users and is reinforced by switching costs in enterprise workflows that have built custom code on the platform. Pricing discipline, paired with enterprise-grade reference customers in quantum computing and aerospace, anchors the company's positioning as a cost-disruptive instrumentation platform for advanced research and OEM integration rather than a mainstream commodity bench tool.
Red Pitaya firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Red Pitaya
- Legal name
- Red Pitaya d.o.o.
- Website
- https://redpitaya.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Red Pitaya is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Solkan
- HQ country
- Slovenia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Red Pitaya business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware product sales: Red Pitaya generates revenue primarily through the sale of FPGA development boards and instrumentation platforms. Products include STEMlab 125-14 (original and Gen 2), STEMlab TI (Texas Instruments), SIGNALlab 250-12, SDRlab 122-16, and multi-channel solutions sold as starter, diagnostic, ultimate, and OEM kits at price points ranging from approximately $490 to over $1,000.
- Accessories and extension modules: Sale of add-on modules including logic analyzer extension ($83), LCR meter ($417), vector network analyzer ($183), sensor extension ($63), cases, diagnostic accessories ($54), heatsink interface ($120), impedance transformer ($85), Wi-Fi dongle ($12), and power supplies. Revenue from standalone accessories purchased to expand base platform functionality.
- Support and services packages: Tiered support offerings: Essential (free AI chatbot), Pro ($199/month — priority email engineering services for 30 days), and Premium ($499/quarter — 90-day priority support with on-boarding, training, and consultation). Recurring revenue from support contracts for medium and large enterprise customers.
- Education and training: FPGA Course for Scientists — hands-on remote course for physicists, researchers, and engineers covering PYNQ, Vivado, and signal processing, limited to 25 participants with a special kit discount. Additionally, 13 online courses and two e-books launched during 2021 pandemic period for continued education revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab 125-14 Starter Kit — base hardware platform for general use |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab 125-14 Low Noise Starter Kit — reduced noise for precision applications |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab 125-14 Z7020 Low Noise Starter Kit — larger FPGA for advanced processing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 Starter Kit — redesigned Gen 2 platform for industrial use |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab 125-14 PRO Z7020 Gen 2 Starter Kit — top-tier Gen 2 with largest FPGA |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SDRlab 122-16 Standard Kit — software-defined radio optimized platform |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SIGNALlab 250-12 Standard Kit — highest performance platform for demanding applications |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab 125-14 4-Input Starter Kit — compact multi-channel acquisition |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | STEMlab TI series (Texas Instruments) — premium precision platforms |
| Subscription | Monthly | Pro support package — priority engineering support for medium-sized business |
| Subscription | Quarterly | Premium support package — comprehensive support for large enterprise |
| Freemium | Monthly | Essential (free) — AI-powered chatbot support for individuals |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels9 records
Red Pitaya product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Red Pitaya designs, manufactures, and sells credit card-sized open-source FPGA-based development boards for test and measurement, built on AMD Xilinx Zynq SoC architecture. The platform functions as a multifunctional instrument replacing oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and other dedicated bench equipment, with free web-based applications, SCPI remote control, and custom FPGA programmability. Revenue is generated through hardware product sales (STEMlab, SIGNALlab, SDRlab series priced from $490 to over $1,000), accessory and extension module sales, tiered subscription support packages, and FPGA training courses for scientists and engineers.
Product overview
Red Pitaya offers an open-source FPGA development board platform for test and measurement, consisting of multiple hardware product lines (STEMlab, SIGNALlab, SDRlab) and Texas Instruments collaboration variants. The core STEMlab 125-14 Gen 2 series features AMD Xilinx Zynq SoC with 125 MS/s sampling and 14-bit resolution, while SIGNALlab 250-12 targets demanding industrial applications with 250 MS/s sampling. SDRlab 122-16 serves software-defined radio applications with ultra-low phase noise clocking. STEMlab TI series provides high-precision variants with TI data converters. These share a common architecture of FPGA + ARM processor running Linux, with free web-based applications (oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, logic analyzer, Bode analyzer, LCR meter, VNA, SDR, streaming) and SCPI-based remote control via MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, and Scilab. The ecosystem is extended through Click Shields for MIKROE Click Boards, Sensor Extension Modules for Grove compatibility, and X-Channel synchronization systems for multi-board deployment. Accessories include cases, probes, extension modules (logic analyzer, LCR meter, VNA), and the platform is supported by an app marketplace.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- STEMlab 125-14 Gen 2 High-performance FPGA development board for test and measurement built on AMD Xilinx Zynq SoC with 125 MS/s sample rate, 14-bit resolution, up to 4 analog inputs/outputs, USB-C connectivity, and open-source software. Available in standard, PRO, and PRO Z7020 variants for industrial customers in aerospace, quantum, photonics, and test laboratories.
- STEMlab 125-14 (Original) Credit-card-sized RF signal acquisition and generation platform with Xilinx Zynq 7010 FPGA, dual 125 Msps 14-bit analog inputs/outputs, Ethernet connectivity, and web-based app interface. Available in starter, low-noise, Z7020, OEM, external clock, and ISO17025 calibrated variants for engineers, researchers, students, and OEMs.
- SIGNALlab 250-12 High-performance Red Pitaya board for demanding industrial applications with 250 MS/s sampling rate, 12-bit ADC, larger Xilinx Zynq 7020 FPGA, Power over Ethernet, BNC connectors for trigger and reference clock inputs, and aluminium case. Targeted at industrial users such as HIGHVOLT for monitoring systems with very low noise and high stability.
- SDRlab 122-16 Software-defined radio platform with 16-bit 50-ohm inputs, 14-bit 50-ohm outputs, Xilinx Zynq 7020 FPGA, and ultra-low phase noise 122.88 MHz clock, optimized for HPSDR applications and minimal distortion. Targeted at RF engineers, radio amateurs, and telecommunications professionals needing portable high-performance SDR.
- STEMlab TI (Texas Instruments) Series High-precision test platforms combining Texas Instruments high-performance ADCs and DACs with AMD Xilinx Zynq 7020 SoC, featuring ultra-low jitter clocking and enhanced analog front ends. Available in STEMlab 125-14 TI and STEMlab 65-16 TI variants, positioned for photonics, quantum research, RF, and communications applications requiring superior signal integrity and dynamic range.
- STEMlab 125-14 4-Input Compact multi-channel DAQ solution with four synchronized 125 Msps 14-bit analog input channels on a single board, based on the STEMlab 125-14 architecture with AMD Xilinx Zynq 7020 SoC. Provides higher input density without multi-board configuration for compact multi-channel systems.
- X-Channel System 2.0 Advanced multi-board synchronization solution enabling multiple Red Pitaya platforms to operate from a shared reference clock and common trigger source, transforming multiple boards into a tightly synchronized measurement and control system for scalable channel count applications.
- Logic Analyzer Extension Module Extension module turning any Red Pitaya board into an 8-input logic analyzer with overvoltage protection for digital inputs. Priced at $83 as a standalone add-on.
- LCR Meter Extension Module Extension module enabling LCR measurements with automatic range switching and Kelvin clip probes. Priced at $417 as a standalone add-on.
- Sensor Extension Module Module enabling interface with approximately 300 Grove modules and Arduino extension shields for sensor and actuator connectivity. Priced at $63.
- Vector Network Analyzer Module Extension module turning Red Pitaya into a vector network analyzer with calibration set for antenna and RF testing. Priced at $183.
- Click Shield Expansion shield connecting up to two MIKROE Click Boards including high-resolution ADC, GPS module, LoRa connectivity, and LCD screen, while enabling multi-device clock and trigger synchronization.
- FPGA Course for Scientists Hands-on remote course teaching PYNQ, Vivado, and advanced signal processing using Red Pitaya hardware for physicists, researchers, and engineers. Limited to 25 participants with special kit discount included.
Quantifiable outcome
- Tenfold system expansion achieved by LongPath Technologies using Red Pitaya for laser monitoring of methane emissions across miles of terrain
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Red Pitaya
Customer profileNamed customers26 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Red Pitaya technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature6 records
Red Pitaya partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Digi-Key ElectronicscoreDigi-Key demonstrated Red Pitaya products at embedded world 2026, featuring the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) paired with Red Pitaya oscilloscopes. The partnership enables rapid prototyping for engineers, students, and makers through Digi-Key's global distribution network and Qwiic/Grove ecosystem connectors.
- Yotta VoltcorePartnership announced in December 2025 to distribute Red Pitaya's FPGA-based test and measurement platforms across 87 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The collaboration aims to expand access to open-source, flexible scientific instrumentation used by industrial, academic, and research institutions throughout the EMEA region.
- Texas InstrumentsflagshipRed Pitaya and Texas Instruments entered a strategic collaboration in 2025 to launch the STEMlab TI board series. This partnership combines Red Pitaya's hardware platform expertise with TI's cutting-edge high-performance data converters (ADCs and DACs), ultra-low jitter clocking, and advanced analog front-end architectures. The resulting products — STEMlab 125-14 TI and STEMlab 65-16 TI — are positioned for photonics, quantum research, RF, and communications applications requiring superior signal integrity and dynamic range. The boards were launched at Laser World of Photonics 2025.
- XanaduflagshipPartnership initiated in 2019 with Xanadu, a photonic quantum computing company, to support Xanadu's pursuit of accessible quantum computing. Red Pitaya serves as a key enabling platform for Xanadu's quantum research, supporting their photonic circuit experiments and quantum computing development efforts.
- RS ComponentscoreGlobal distribution deal signed on March 18, 2014, establishing RS Components as a key global distributor for Red Pitaya products. The agreement focused on Red Pitaya's unique technology offering simple user interfaces to empower engineers and makers worldwide, marking one of Red Pitaya's first major distribution partnerships.
- NASAflagshipPartnership with NASA formed in August 2014. NASA's STEMlab 125-14 is used for monitoring air quality aboard the International Space Station (measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, and humidity), Mars helicopter mission ground-penetrating radar testing, and development of the Fibre Optic Sensing System (FOSS) for real-time aircraft monitoring. This represents one of Red Pitaya's most high-profile applications.
- PsiQuantumcoreActive partnership with PsiQuantum, a photonic quantum computing company. Red Pitaya's instrumentation platforms support PsiQuantum's quantum research operations as part of their broader quantum technology development ecosystem.
- Analog DevicescoreActive partnership with Analog Devices supporting Red Pitaya's quantum and photonics research capabilities. Analog Devices provides components and technology supporting Red Pitaya's instrumentation platforms in demanding research applications.
- IonQcoreActive partnership with IonQ, a trapped-ion quantum computing company. Red Pitaya boards serve IonQ's quantum computing research platforms as key enabling instrumentation for quantum control systems.
- PASQALcoreActive partnership with PASQAL, a neutral-atom quantum computing company. Red Pitaya platforms support PASQAL's quantum computing research and development operations.
- InfleqtioncoreActive partnership with Infleqtion (formerly Q-CTRL), a quantum technology company. Red Pitaya instrumentation supports Infleqtion's quantum research and development activities.
- Alpine Quantum TechnologiescoreActive partnership with Alpine Quantum Technologies, a European quantum computing company. Red Pitaya platforms serve as research instrumentation for AQT's quantum technology development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Red Pitaya competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Digilent (Analog Discovery, now part of Emerson): Digilent's Analog Discovery and Analog Discovery Pro are USB-based, multifunction open-source-style test and measurement tools that overlap directly with Red Pitaya's STEMlab in the education and maker segment. Both vendors target FPGA and engineering education with compact, low-cost instruments.
- Measurement Computing (MCC): MCC produces USB and Ethernet data acquisition devices used in laboratory and industrial test setups, directly overlapping with Red Pitaya's DAQ and SIGNALlab offerings for OEM and industrial customers. Both compete on per-channel cost and software-defined flexibility.
- BitScope: BitScope builds compact, mixed-signal oscilloscope and data acquisition platforms with an open-software positioning similar to Red Pitaya. It serves education, hobbyist, and embedded engineers, overlapping with Red Pitaya at the maker/STEM and small-engineer segment.
Broad incumbents
- National Instruments (NI, now part of Emerson): NI is a long-established test and measurement incumbent whose PXI, CompactDAQ, and FPGA-based reconfigurable I/O compete with Red Pitaya in industrial and research labs. While NI's portfolio is much broader and more enterprise-oriented, the reconfigurable I/O line directly competes with Red Pitaya's FPGA-based positioning.
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight is a global leader in electronic test and measurement, with oscilloscopes, signal generators, and modular PXI/AXI instruments used at the same NASA, quantum, and aerospace customers Red Pitaya serves. Any Keysight move into open or low-cost FPGA-based offerings would directly threaten Red Pitaya's value proposition.
- Tektronix: Tektronix is a major oscilloscope and signal-analysis incumbent serving the same aerospace, defense, and academic customers Red Pitaya targets. Its bench and modular instruments span the performance range above Red Pitaya, and its installed university base constrains Red Pitaya's educational expansion.
- Rigol Technologies: Rigol offers low-to-mid-range oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers that compete with Red Pitaya's lowest-priced STEMlab offerings in electronics labs and hobbyist segments. While Rigol is a closed-source incumbent, its price-performance positioning is a frequent alternative.
- Siglent Technologies: Siglent provides competitively priced oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers that overlap with Red Pitaya at the entry-level test and measurement buyer. Both compete for the same engineering and academic procurement budgets globally.
- Rohde & Schwarz: Rohde & Schwarz is a premium T&M and RF incumbent serving aerospace, defense, and quantum research customers that overlap with Red Pitaya's marquee accounts. Its high-end oscilloscopes and RF instruments sit above Red Pitaya's price band but compete for the same enterprise procurement.
Emerging players
- Arduino: Arduino is a major open-source hardware ecosystem that Red Pitaya's customers (e.g., Arduino's own test engineering team) use alongside STEMlab. While not a direct T&M competitor, Arduino's ecosystem competes for the same maker, education, and STEM budget and overlaps via Red Pitaya's sensor extension module.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Red Pitaya social profiles
Digital presenceRed Pitaya financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Red Pitaya leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Red Pitaya funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Red Pitaya M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Red Pitaya
What does Red Pitaya do?
Red Pitaya designs, manufactures, and sells credit card-sized open-source FPGA-based development boards for test and measurement, built on AMD Xilinx Zynq SoC architecture. The platform functions as a multifunctional instrument replacing oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and other dedicated bench equipment, with free web-based applications, SCPI remote control, and custom FPGA programmability. Revenue is generated through hardware product sales (STEMlab, SIGNALlab, SDRlab series priced from $490 to over $1,000), accessory and extension module sales, tiered subscription support packages, and FPGA training courses for scientists and engineers.
Is Red Pitaya a public or private company?
Red Pitaya is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Red Pitaya founded?
Red Pitaya was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Red Pitaya based?
Red Pitaya is headquartered in Solkan, Slovenia, in the Europe region.
How does Red Pitaya make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware product sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and extension modules, support and services packages and education and training.
Who are Red Pitaya's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Digilent (Analog Discovery, now part of Emerson), Measurement Computing (MCC) and BitScope. Broad incumbents are National Instruments (NI, now part of Emerson), Keysight Technologies, Tektronix, Rigol Technologies, Siglent Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz. Arduino is listed as an emerging player.
Does Red Pitaya have an API?
Yes. Red Pitaya provides SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation) server for remote control and automation. Supports control via MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, and Scilab. Also provides C API for direct hardware control (signal generation and acquisition, digital I/O control, communication protocols I2C, SPI, UART). Jupyter notebook integration enables Python code execution and hardware control directly from web browser. FPGA code is open-source and available on GitHub with build instructions and register map documentation. Developer documentation is at redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest.