LoadStar Sensors
LoadStar Sensors, founded in 2003 in Fremont, California, designs digital USB, wireless, and analog load cells plus signal interfaces and proprietary software for force, torque, pressure, and level measurement, selling direct-to-customer through e-commerce and distributor channels to industrial, medical, aerospace, and research buyers across 85+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersFremont, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What LoadStar Sensors does
LoadStar Sensors designs and manufactures digital force, torque, displacement, pressure, level, and temperature sensors built around a modular plug-and-sense architecture in which resistive or capacitive load cells connect to dedicated signal interfaces (digital USB, analog PLC, or wireless XBee/WiFi/BLE) that stream calibrated data to PCs, tablets, phones, displays, or cloud logging via proprietary LoadVUE, SensorVUE, and ControlVUE software. Founded in 2003 in Fremont, California, the company originated the world's first USB load cell and holds 20+ issued patents covering its digital and capacitive sensing technology, with NTEP, OIML, FM, and IP66-IP69 certifications on relevant commercial and waterproof product lines.
The company sells to industrial/manufacturing, medical/healthcare, aerospace/defense, education/research, and OEM/embedded customers, with named engagements including NASA Ames Research Center, Sobec Inc., Mynosys, Omni Services, and Pediatrics Ascension/St. John Hospital. LoadStar operates a product-led go-to-market: customers configure and purchase directly through the company e-commerce storefront with publicly listed pricing, supplemented by quote-based direct sales for enterprise and a distributor partnership with Olander for broader channel reach. The company also generates revenue from perpetual software licenses ($99-$999), NIST-traceable calibration services ($100-$1,250), expedited processing, and specialty solutions (StockVUE inventory, nCounter counting, PunchSensor, IV bag monitoring).
Since 2010 LoadStar has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of YPoint Capital, Inc., after prior venture funding of approximately $8M across 2006 and 2007 rounds led by Sierra Ventures and SunAmerica Ventures. The organization is small (1-10 employees) and ships globally to 85+ countries with a cumulative base of 10,000+ customers. There is no disclosed revenue, no recent institutional funding, and no publicly listed AI/ML capability; the company's value proposition rests on proprietary patents, a vertically integrated sensor-to-software stack, and ease-of-use differentiation in a niche industrial sensor category it created.
LoadStar Sensors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LoadStar Sensors
- Legal name
- Loadstar Sensors
- Website
- https://loadstarsensors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LoadStar Sensors, founded in 2003 in Fremont, California, designs digital USB, wireless, and analog load cells plus signal interfaces and proprietary software for force, torque, pressure, and level measurement, selling direct-to-customer through e-commerce and distributor channels to industrial, medical, aerospace, and research buyers across 85+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LoadStar Sensors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Force and Load Sensors
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement) (IMAGAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells) (HDAHALAB)
Keywords
Where LoadStar Sensors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fremont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LoadStar Sensors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling load cells, sensors (force, torque, displacement, pressure, level, temperature), interfaces, and accessories. Products range from individual components to complete ready-to-use kits.
- Software Licensing: Revenue from proprietary software including LoadVUE Lite, LoadVUE Pro, SensorVUE, and ControlVUE for data display, logging, and control functions.
- Calibration Services: NIST traceable calibration services for sensors, offered as part of new purchases and for recalibration of existing equipment. Provides calibration certificates for compliance.
- Display and Controller Products: Sale of DS-3000-Pro touch screen LCD displays for standalone sensor reading without PC requirement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Load Cells - RSB3 Series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Load Cells - RSP1 Series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Interfaces - DI-1000U |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Software Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Calibration Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Displays |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Expedited Processing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NTEP Load Cells - RRP1 Series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NTEP Load Cells - RRP2 Series |
| Subscription | Annual | Educational Discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
LoadStar Sensors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LoadStar Sensors designs, manufactures, and sells capacitive-based force, weight, torque, pressure, displacement, and level sensors, along with digital interface electronics (USB, Wi-Fi, BLE, XBee), companion software (LoadVUE, SensorVUE, ControlVUE), displays, and calibration services. The company offers both off-the-shelf products and custom sensor solutions for industrial, medical, research, and consumer applications.
Product overview
LoadStar Sensors offers a comprehensive portfolio of force measurement and sensor products organized around a modular plug-and-sense architecture. The core offering includes resistive and capacitive load cells (button, S-beam, single point, pancake, miniature, through-hole, and waterproof types) spanning capacities from 50g to 100,000 lbs with accuracies from +/- 0.02% to +/- 1% of full scale. These sensors are complemented by signal interface modules (DI-100U, DI-1000U, DI-400U for digital USB; AI-1000, AI-1000-CV for analog PLC integration; DI-1000ZP, DI-1000BLE, DI-1000WiFi for wireless connectivity) that condition and transmit sensor data to displays, PCs, tablets, or cloud platforms. The software suite includes LoadVUE Lite (free display), LoadVUE Pro (single-channel logging/plotting), SensorVUE (multi-sensor multi-channel), and ControlVUE (adds relay control for automation). Beyond force, the company extends to torque, displacement, pressure, level, and temperature sensors using the same interface and software ecosystem. Specialty solutions include NTEP-certified trade scales, IV bag monitoring, inventory management (StockVUE), and impact force measurement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Force/Weight Load Cells Capacitive-based load cells for force and weight measurement, used in industrial weighing, medical devices, and research applications.
- Torque Sensors Sensors for measuring rotational force/torque, suited for mechanical testing, robotics, and process control.
- Displacement Sensors Sensors that measure linear position/movement for industrial automation and testing applications.
- Pressure Sensors Sensors for measuring fluid or gas pressure, used in process control, medical, and laboratory settings.
- Level Sensors Sensors for measuring liquid or material level in tanks and vessels, used in industrial tank weighing.
- Digital Sensor Interfaces (USB / Wi-Fi / BLE / XBee) Hardware interface modules that connect capacitive sensors to PCs, mobile devices, and embedded systems via standard digital protocols.
- LoadVUE Software Companion software for visualizing, logging, and analyzing load cell and force sensor data on a connected computer.
- SensorVUE Software Software for configuring and reading data from LoadStar digital sensor interfaces.
- ControlVUE Software Software platform for real-time control and monitoring of sensors in test and process applications.
- Calibration Services In-house and customer calibration services for force, torque, and pressure sensors to ensure measurement traceability.
- PunchSensor Boxing Kit Consumer boxing/athletic training kit using LoadStar's force sensor technology to measure punch force.
Quantifiable outcome
- NASA achieved successful parachute testing using 5K load cell for flight measurements
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use LoadStar Sensors
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LoadStar Sensors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature5 records
LoadStar Sensors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- OlandercoreLoadstar Sensors and Olander announced a partnership for distribution/reseller relationship expanding market reach for LoadStar Sensors products through Olander's distribution network.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
LoadStar Sensors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TE Connectivity: TE Connectivity is a large sensor and connector manufacturer with a broad portfolio including pressure, force, and position sensors for industrial, automotive, and aerospace markets. Comparable at the sensor component level, but at much greater scale and breadth than LoadStar.
- Vishay Precision Group: Vishay Precision Group manufactures precision resistive sensors including load cells, strain gauges, and weighing modules. Direct overlap with LoadStar in strain-gauge-based force measurement, with broader scale and OEM channel reach.
- Mettler-Toledo: Mettler-Toledo is a global leader in precision weighing and force measurement instruments used in industrial, laboratory, and retail applications. Overlaps with LoadStar's weighing/scale product lines and NTEP-certified offerings but at a vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Honeywell Sensing & Productivity Solutions: Honeywell's sensing division produces force, pressure, and position sensors used across industrial, aerospace, and medical markets. Comparable to LoadStar in force/pressure sensing but as part of a much broader sensor and controls portfolio.
Direct peers
- Morehouse Instrument Company: Morehouse specializes in force calibration equipment and load cells for calibration labs and test & measurement applications. Comparable to LoadStar in high-accuracy force measurement and NIST-traceable calibration services.
- Transducer Techniques: Transducer Techniques designs and manufactures load cells, force sensors, and related instrumentation for test & measurement and OEM applications. Closely comparable niche competitor to LoadStar in compact and specialty force sensors.
- HBM (HBK): HBK/HBM is a global force and torque measurement specialist with load cells, strain gauges, and DAQ systems. Comparable to LoadStar in industrial weighing and test & measurement applications, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Interface Inc. Interface is a long-established load cell and force measurement manufacturer offering button, S-beam, low-profile, and miniature load cells plus digital instrumentation. Directly competes with LoadStar's core load cell and interface product lines.
- FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology: FUTEK is a US-based specialist manufacturer of load cells, force sensors, torque sensors, and pressure sensors with USB, analog, and digital outputs. Highly comparable to LoadStar in product scope (force/weight/torque/pressure) and target customers (OEMs, R&D, test & measurement).
- Flintec: Flintec is a Sweden-based load cell and weighing technology manufacturer supplying OEMs and scale builders globally. Direct competitor in single-point, S-beam, and compression/tension load cells, with comparable NTEP/OIML certifications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LoadStar Sensors social profiles
Digital presenceLoadStar Sensors compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
LoadStar Sensors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LoadStar Sensors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
LoadStar Sensors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LoadStar Sensors 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 LoadStar Sensors
What does LoadStar Sensors do?
LoadStar Sensors designs, manufactures, and sells capacitive-based force, weight, torque, pressure, displacement, and level sensors, along with digital interface electronics (USB, Wi-Fi, BLE, XBee), companion software (LoadVUE, SensorVUE, ControlVUE), displays, and calibration services. The company offers both off-the-shelf products and custom sensor solutions for industrial, medical, research, and consumer applications.
Is LoadStar Sensors a public or private company?
LoadStar Sensors is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was LoadStar Sensors founded?
LoadStar Sensors was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LoadStar Sensors based?
LoadStar Sensors is headquartered in Fremont, United States, in the North America region.
How does LoadStar Sensors make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing, calibration Services and display and Controller Products.
Who are LoadStar Sensors's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TE Connectivity, Vishay Precision Group, Mettler-Toledo and Honeywell Sensing & Productivity Solutions. Direct peers are Morehouse Instrument Company, Transducer Techniques, HBM (HBK), Interface Inc., FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology and Flintec.
Does LoadStar Sensors have an API?
Yes. LoadStar Sensors provides an ASCII command set for their digital USB load cells and interfaces. Sensors present themselves as virtual COM ports on connected computers. Developers can write custom software using ASCII commands similar to AT commands to read sensor data. Sample code is available for Visual Basic, Matlab, Python, and Arduino. Commands include O0W1 for single reading, O0W0 for continuous output, CT0 for tare, and CPS/CSS/CLA for averaging settings. The iLoad digital load cells output data at up to 150 Hz (standard) or 500 Hz (high speed upgrade). No traditional REST/GraphQL API exists; integration is through serial communication protocol.
What industry is LoadStar Sensors in?
LoadStar Sensors's product category is Force and Load Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAF, Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement), with a secondary code of HDAHALAB, Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells). Its NAICS code is 334519.