SpikeGadgets
SpikeGadgets designs precision in vivo electrophysiology hardware (headstages, dataloggers, control units) and open-source Trodes software for academic neuroscience research labs, supporting up to 2880-channel wireless neural recording in rodents and non-human primates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SpikeGadgets does
SpikeGadgets, Inc. is a privately held, San Francisco-based designer and manufacturer of precision in vivo electrophysiology hardware and accompanying open-source software for systems neuroscience research. The company was co-founded by Mattias Karlsson (CEO) and Magnus Karlsson (CTO) and operates with a small team (1–10 employees) targeting academic neuroscience laboratories conducting rodent and non-human primate research. Its product portfolio spans five categories — control units (MCU, ECU, HCU, SHCU), headstages and dataloggers, commutators, accessories, and stimulation systems — with channel counts ranging from 32 to 2880 across tethered and untethered (wireless) recording modes.
The technical core of the offering is the custom-designed Janus ASIC, which enables low-power, high-channel-count datalogging and is deployed in the Pixie384 and Kodama headstages. This is paired with the Trodes open-source software suite (Python and Matlab bindings via the trodesnetwork package) and the StateScript scripting language, which provides 1ms-precision timing control on the Environmental Control Unit hardware. Differentiated capabilities include sub-millisecond closed-loop hardware-to-hardware control (median <1 ms), two-way radio links for real-time headstage status monitoring, multi-headstage simultaneous datalogging (up to 8 headstages paired via SpriteDock), and native integrations with Imec Neuropixels 1.0/2.0 probes, Blackrock CerePort implants, Cambridge NeuroTech CMOS bioprobes, Intan RHS2116 stimulation chips, and Allied Vision Manta cameras. Notable products include the 3.8g Sprite32 (for mice), the 384-channel Pixie384 (15g), the Bennu Neuropixels Datalogger (up to 2880 channels across 3 probes), and the Satori NHP, Kodama, and Griffin systems targeting non-human primate and chronic electrophysiology.
SpikeGadgets sells direct-to-customer with quote-based pricing (no public list price); customers contact [email protected] for hardware quotes and custom Electrode Interface Board fabrication. Revenue is derived primarily from one-time hardware sales of headstages, dataloggers, control units, and accessories, with secondary revenue from custom configuration services (e.g., Modular Stacking Headstage). The Trodes software is provided free "AS IS" with no warranty, functioning as a hardware-enabling ecosystem rather than a revenue stream. The commercial motion combines enterprise quote-based field sales, inside sales with lab-specific Slack support channels, and event-driven demand generation via SfN, FENS, and specialty symposia. A 2-year hardware warranty and free lifetime technical support are included with every purchase. The company's adoption signal is strong: SpikeGadgets hardware is referenced in peer-reviewed publications across Nature, Neuron, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Electronics, eLife, Current Biology, and Science Advances, with documented deployments at UCSF (Loren Frank lab, closed-loop hippocampal neurofeedback), UC Berkeley (Michael Yartsev lab, first wireless Neuropixels recording in freely flying bats), and other leading systems neuroscience groups.
SpikeGadgets firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpikeGadgets
- Legal name
- SpikeGadgets, Inc.
- Website
- https://spikegadgets.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SpikeGadgets designs precision in vivo electrophysiology hardware (headstages, dataloggers, control units) and open-source Trodes software for academic neuroscience research labs, supporting up to 2880-channel wireless neural recording in rodents and non-human primates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where SpikeGadgets is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SpikeGadgets business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware sales (dataloggers, headstages, control units, accessories): Primary revenue stream from one-time sales of precision neuroscience research hardware, including headstages, dataloggers, control units (MCU, ECU, HCU, SHCU), commutators, EIBs, and adapters. Customers request quotes via [email protected].
- Custom hardware services (Custom EIBs): Custom Electrode Interface Board fabrication services to connect 3rd party EIBs to SpikeGadgets headstages. Customers inquire for details.
- Custom build configurations (MSH and others): SpikeGadgets offers custom build configurations for headstages (e.g., Modular Stacking Headstage with variable probe board count). Customers inquire for custom configurations.
- Trodes software (provided AS IS, free): Open source Trodes software is provided AS IS with no warranty; SpikeGadgets does not charge for the software itself, supporting hardware sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Quote-based pricing — no public list prices |
| One time/ perpetual license | — | One-time hardware purchase with 2-year warranty |
| Other | — | Custom EIB fabrication on inquiry |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
SpikeGadgets product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpikeGadgets designs and manufactures precision in vivo electrophysiology hardware for systems neuroscience research, including control units (MCU, ECU, HCU, SHCU), headstages and dataloggers (ranging from 32 to 1024 channels plus Neuropixels-based variants), commutators, EIBs, and adapters for both tethered and untethered neural recording. The hardware is paired with the open-source Trodes software suite and the StateScript scripting language for sub-millisecond closed-loop experimental control. Customers are primarily academic neuroscience research labs studying freely-moving animals from mice to non-human primates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Trodes: Open source, cross-platform software suite for neuroscience data acquisition, experimental control, and analysis; developed and distributed by SpikeGadgets.
- StateScript
- NeuralThread
Products and services
- Sprite32 Datalogger Ultralightweight 32-channel neural datalogger (3.8g including battery) for untethered broadband neural recording in freely-moving mice and small animals, with up to 75 minutes continuous record time, standby mode, and battery/status monitoring via RF; supports simultaneous pairing of up to 8 headstages via SpriteDock for multi-animal social experiments.
- Pixie384 Datalogger Headstage High channel-count neural datalogger that acquires 384 channels of dual-band (AP & LFP) neural data using the SpikeGadgets Janus ASIC for low-power high-channel-count logging; weighs 15g with ~3 hours of continuous record time using a 400mAh battery, 30 kHz AP / 2.5 kHz LFP sampling at 10-bit depth, and wireless headstage status monitoring in Trodes.
- Bennu Neuropixels Datalogger Multi-probe Neuropixels datalogger supporting up to 3 Imec Neuropixels 1.0 or 2.0 probes with up to 2880 selectable channels, wireless datalogging of 400 channels at 30 kHz with 12-bit depth, 2-way radio link, standby/pause mode, and integrated motion sensors for freely-moving chronic/behavioral animal experiments.
- Satori NHP Neuropixels Datalogger Compact multi-probe headstage purpose-built for freely-moving and tethered electrophysiology in large-brain models (including non-human primates), interfacing with Neuropixels 1.0 NHP probes with shank lengths up to 45mm, supporting up to 3 probes simultaneously (1152 channels tethered or 400 channels wireless), with 2-way radio link, standby/pause mode, and integrated accelerometer and gyroscope.
- Kodama Datalogger with Cereport High channel-count chronic electrophysiology system supporting both tethered acquisition and untethered datalogging, built around the Neuropixels 1.0 384-channel NRIC chip and the SpikeGadgets Janus ASIC, designed for use with Blackrock CerePort implants in 128- and 256-channel configurations with 500 mAh or 2 Ah battery options, 2-way wireless control, standby/pause mode, and integrated motion sensing.
- Griffin Modular Datalogger Modular high-channel-count electrophysiology system for chronic neural recordings in larger freely-moving animals (non-human primates, marmosets), supporting both tethered streaming and untethered wireless datalogging, compatible with Cambridge NeuroTech CMOS diagnostic bioprobes in 64- to 512-channel configurations, with 2-way radio link, standby mode, and integrated motion sensors.
- Main Control Unit (MCU) SpikeGadgets' central hub that supports both tethered and untethered neural recording modes and is capable of processing up to 1024 channels of simultaneous neural data; integrates with the RF Transceiver to synchronize untethered headstages with the environmental record and with Allied Vision cameras for time-synchronized video.
- Environmental Control Unit (ECU) Dedicated hardware controller that runs StateScript protocols in real time at 1ms precision, sequencing and triggering lights, levers, beam breaks, pumps, and other devices for precise environmental control during behavioral experiments.
- SpikeGadgets Stimulation System (UH32stim headstage) Sub-millisecond closed-loop electrical stimulation system using Intan RHS2116 Digital Electrophysiology Stimulator/Amplifier Chips, capable of sourcing/sinking currents from 10nA to 2.55mA with user-configurable biphasic charge balancing for up to 256 channels across 8 headstages, triggered via the Trodes Network API.
- Custom Electrode Interface Board (EIB) Fabrication Custom EIB fabrication service to connect third-party electrode interface boards to SpikeGadgets headstages; customers inquire for details and pricing.
- Modular Stacking Headstage (MSH) Custom-build headstage configuration with variable probe board count, enabling flexible high-channel-count population recording (e.g., for mesoscopic electrophysiology imaging in non-human primates); cited in Journal of Neurophysiology 2024.
- Trodes Open-Source Software Suite Open-source, cross-platform software suite for neuroscience data acquisition and experimental control; monitors incoming data from SpikeGadgets hardware, provides user interface for experiments, and includes the StateScript module and Network API (Python bindings via the trodesnetwork package on PyPI). Provided AS IS free of charge.
Quantifiable outcome
- First wireless Neuropixels recording from freely flying bats (Nature 2025)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use SpikeGadgets
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SpikeGadgets technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature7 records
SpikeGadgets partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ImeccoreSpikeGadgets builds headstages and dataloggers (Bennu, Satori NHP, Neuropixels Datalogger) that are compatible with Imec's Neuropixels 1.0 and 2.0 probes, including the ultra high-density and NHP (non-human primate) variants. The NHP probes have shank lengths up to 45mm and maintain high-density electrode placement. Compatibility is a core part of the product line.
- Intan TechnologiescoreSpikeGadgets Stimulation system uses Intan RHS2116 Digital Electrophysiology Stimulator/Amplifier Chips, which amplify, digitize, and stimulate. The chips can source and sink currents from 10nA to 2.55mA. Each UH32stim headstage contains 2 16-channel RHS2116 chips.
- Blackrock MicrosystemscoreThe Kodama Datalogger with Cereport is specifically designed for use with Blackrock CerePort implants, enabling high channel-count chronic electrophysiology for non-human primate research.
- Cambridge NeuroTechcoreThe Griffin Modular Datalogger is compatible with Cambridge NeuroTech CMOS diagnostic bioprobes, supporting flexible 64- to 512-channel recording configurations using 64-channel or 128-channel probes. Designed for chronic neural recording in non-human primates and marmosets.
- Allied VisioncoreSpikeGadgets offers a 9-foot-long camera cable adapter for Allied Vision's Manta line of cameras, enabling time synchronization of video data with neural/environmental data via the MCU. The Camera Module in Trodes integrates directly with Allied Vision cameras.
- Kwok DesignminorKwok Design is the website design/development partner for the SpikeGadgets website (per site footer credit).
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SpikeGadgets competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Doric Lenses: Supplies optical components, fiber photometry, and miniature microscopes used in neuroscience research labs. Adjacent to SpikeGadgets as a fellow precision-instrumentation vendor serving the same academic systems neuroscience customer base, with overlapping conference presence (SfN, FENS).
Broad incumbents
- Imec: Semiconductor research organization that designs and commercializes the Neuropixels 1.0/2.0 probe family used across modern systems neuroscience. Comparable to SpikeGadgets as both a strategic partner (Neuropixels integration) and a potential upstream competitor that could enable alternative datalogger ecosystems.
Direct peers
- Cambridge NeuroTech: Designs and sells high-density CMOS neural probes (diagnostic bioprobes) and chronic implant systems for rodents and NHPs. Comparable to SpikeGadgets as a complementary chronic electrophysiology supplier; SpikeGadgets' Griffin Modular Datalogger is explicitly built around Cambridge NeuroTech probes.
- Blackrock Microsystems: Manufactures neural recording systems and clinical-grade implants (CerePort) widely used in non-human primate and clinical neuroscience research. Directly comparable to SpikeGadgets in NHP electrophysiology; SpikeGadgets' Kodama is explicitly designed to interface with Blackrock CerePort implants.
- Intan Technologies: Designs and sells low-noise amplifier/digitizer chips (RHD2000, RHS2000) used across neuroscience labs, plus standalone recording systems. Comparable to SpikeGadgets as a chip-and-system vendor in in vivo electrophysiology, and a direct upstream supplier (RHS2116) for SpikeGadgets' stimulation line.
- Open Ephys: Open-source electrophysiology platform producing acquisition boards, headstages, and software for in vivo neural recording. Directly comparable to SpikeGadgets in target customer (academic neuroscience labs), product category (headstages + control + software), and open-source GTM philosophy.
- Plexon: Long-established supplier of neural data acquisition systems (OmniPlex, CinePlex), headstages, and analysis tools for in vivo electrophysiology research. Closely comparable to SpikeGadgets in target customer (academic and industry neuroscience labs), product category, and quote-based B2B sales motion.
- Triangle BioSystems (TBSI): Designs and manufactures wireless neural telemetry and headstage systems for freely-moving animal recording. Directly comparable to SpikeGadgets in the wireless/untethered rodent and NHP electrophysiology segment.
- Multi Channel Systems (MCS): Designer and manufacturer of in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology recording systems, headstages, and MEAs used across academic and pharma research. Comparable to SpikeGadgets as a multi-channel neural acquisition hardware vendor with overlapping customer segments.
Emerging players
- Neural Dynamics Technologies: Early-stage company developing miniaturized neural recording devices and probes for freely-moving animal research. Comparable to SpikeGadgets in target use case (untethered, lightweight, high-channel-count recording) and customer segment (academic neuroscience), though at earlier scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SpikeGadgets social profiles
Digital presenceSpikeGadgets financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpikeGadgets leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SpikeGadgets subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SpikeGadgets funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SpikeGadgets 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 SpikeGadgets
What does SpikeGadgets do?
SpikeGadgets designs and manufactures precision in vivo electrophysiology hardware for systems neuroscience research, including control units (MCU, ECU, HCU, SHCU), headstages and dataloggers (ranging from 32 to 1024 channels plus Neuropixels-based variants), commutators, EIBs, and adapters for both tethered and untethered neural recording. The hardware is paired with the open-source Trodes software suite and the StateScript scripting language for sub-millisecond closed-loop experimental control. Customers are primarily academic neuroscience research labs studying freely-moving animals from mice to non-human primates.
Is SpikeGadgets a public or private company?
SpikeGadgets is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SpikeGadgets founded?
SpikeGadgets was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SpikeGadgets based?
SpikeGadgets is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does SpikeGadgets make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware sales (dataloggers, headstages, control units, accessories) is the primary driver. The others are custom hardware services (Custom EIBs), custom build configurations (MSH and others) and trodes software (provided AS IS, free).
Who are SpikeGadgets's main competitors?
Doric Lenses is listed as an others. Imec is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Cambridge NeuroTech, Blackrock Microsystems, Intan Technologies, Open Ephys, Plexon, Triangle BioSystems (TBSI) and Multi Channel Systems (MCS). Neural Dynamics Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does SpikeGadgets have an API?
Yes. The Trodes Network API provides a way for users to write their own modules that interact with the Trodes system in real-time and has Python bindings (trodesnetwork Python package, installable via pip and also available on PyPI), making it a powerful way for advanced users to augment their recording setup with custom real-time control. It supports real-time streaming data from Trodes, multiple data subscriptions, and control commands. The trodesnetwork package is also available on PyPI. SpikeGadgets also distributes firmware update utilities (Windows and Linux) that interact with hardware via USB. Developer documentation is at docs.spikegadgets.com/en/latest/advanced/NetworkingAPI.html.