ProGrade Digital
ProGrade Digital designs and manufactures professional-grade memory cards, card readers, SSDs, Thunderbolt docks, and workflow software for professional photographers, videographers, cinematographers, and US Federal Government imaging buyers. The bootstrapped San Jose company sells direct-to-consumer, via Amazon, and through government procurement.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ProGrade Digital does
ProGrade Digital is a privately held, US-based designer and manufacturer of professional-grade flash memory cards and adjacent workflow hardware and software, headquartered in San Jose, California. Founded in 2018 by industry veterans from Lexar and SanDisk, the company sells CFexpress Type A and Type B cards (in Gold, Iridium, and Cobalt tiers), SDXC UHS-II V60/V90 cards, microSDXC cards, and CFast 2.0 cards, complemented by USB 4.0 and USB 3.2 card readers, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 hubs and docks (PG20, PG25), external USB 4.0 SSDs (PG10, PG10.5, PG30), and three workflow software utilities (Refresh Pro, Recovery Pro, Ingest Pro). Notable technical features include CFexpress 4.0 cards with up to 3400MB/s read and 3000MB/s write speeds, 1.3TB Cobalt cards with 2100MB/s minimum sustained write speed, and a 400GB CFexpress Type B Iridium card line that has been qualified under a NASA Space Act Agreement for the Artemis II Moon mission and the planned Artemis III Handheld Universal Lunar Camera system.
The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer go-to-market, with primary distribution through its Shopify storefront (shop.progradedigital.com), Amazon marketplace presence, a network of authorized resellers, and a dedicated US Federal Government / Department of Defense sales channel (CAGE Code 9CAL5). Target customers are professional photographers, videographers, cinematographers, action and drone content creators, and government/defense imaging end users; the company supports its customer base via a community-led ambassador program featuring motorsports, wildlife, sports, and photojournalism professionals. Revenue is unit-based hardware sales with one-time software licenses and periodic promotional discounting. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding and operates with 1–10 employees, including co-founder and CEO Wes Brewer, co-founder and CMO Mark Lewis, co-founder and VP of Operations Ed Chelini, and Director of Operations Kevin Seago, with support operations in Taiwan and Japan handled via partner Jenprotech Co. Ltd.
Strategically, ProGrade differentiates on founder pedigree, comprehensive factory-level (rather than sample) card testing, ecosystem breadth spanning cards through Thunderbolt docks, and the rare NASA Space Act credential that provides credibility for extreme-environment performance. The product cadence through 2026 — including new USB 4.0 dual-slot readers, a Thunderbolt 5 dock, the Pro Card Caddy accessory, and consumer-channel availability of NASA-qualified cards — signals active portfolio expansion despite the small operating footprint. The company competes against substantially larger incumbents such as SanDisk, Lexar, and Sony, and faces structural risks from limited headcount, undisclosed financials, and reliance on distributed professional-prosumer demand.
ProGrade Digital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ProGrade Digital
- Legal name
- ProGrade Digital
- Website
- https://progradedigital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ProGrade Digital designs and manufactures professional-grade memory cards, card readers, SSDs, Thunderbolt docks, and workflow software for professional photographers, videographers, cinematographers, and US Federal Government imaging buyers. The bootstrapped San Jose company sells direct-to-consumer, via Amazon, and through government procurement.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ProGrade Digital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Digital Storage Memory Cards
- NAICS
- Computer Storage Device Manufacturing (334112)
- SIC
- Computer Storage Devices (3572)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Memory Cards (SD/microSD/CFexpress) (HDACAIAD)
Keywords
Where ProGrade Digital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
ProGrade Digital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Memory Cards: One-time hardware sales of professional-grade memory cards including CFexpress Type B and A, SDXC UHS-II, microSDXC, and CFast 2.0 cards. Revenue from individual cards and multi-pack bundles.
- Card Readers: USB 4.0 and USB 3.2 card readers supporting CFexpress and SDXC formats, including single-slot, dual-slot, and mobile reader variants.
- SSDs and Storage: External SSDs including USB 4.0 PG10, Pro Mini SSD PG10.5, and Ultra-Portable SSD PG30 for professional workflow storage.
- Hubs and Docks: Pro Hub Thunderbolt 4 and Pro Dock Thunderbolt 5 workflow accessories for connectivity and expansion.
- Software Products: Refresh Pro, Recovery Pro, and Ingest Pro workflow software available for purchase and license.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CFexpress Type B Iridium 400GB (Space-qualified) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CFexpress Type B 4.0 Gold 512GB - 20% off promotion |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CFexpress Type B 4.0 Iridium 400GB - 15% off promotion |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Mini SSD USB 4.0 (PG10.5) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
ProGrade Digital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ProGrade Digital designs, manufactures, and sells professional-grade memory cards (CFexpress Type A/B, SDXC UHS-II, microSDXC, CFast 2.0) and complementary workflow products including USB 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4/5 card readers, external SSDs, hubs, and docks. The company also offers proprietary workflow software (Recovery Pro, Refresh Pro, Ingest Pro) and accessories such as the Pro Card Caddy, all targeted at professional photographers, videographers, and cinematographers using high-end cameras.
Product overview
ProGrade Digital is a professional-grade memory card and workflow solutions company. The product portfolio centers on high-performance memory cards (CFexpress Type A/B in Gold, Iridium, and Cobalt tiers; SDXC UHS-II in V60/V90; microSDXC in V30/V60) paired with complementary workflow hardware (USB 4.0/USB 3.2 card readers, Thunderbolt 4/5 hubs and docks, external/portable SSDs). Software add-ons include Recovery Pro (data recovery), Refresh Pro (card maintenance), and Ingest Pro (content ingestion). The ecosystem is designed for professional photographers, videographers, and cinematographers using high-end DSLR, mirrorless, and digital cinema cameras from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Fujifilm, and Blackmagic.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CFexpress Type B Memory Cards (Gold, Iridium, Cobalt) Professional-grade CFexpress Type B memory cards available in Gold (standard), Iridium (high-performance), and Cobalt tiers, supporting CFexpress 2.0 and 4.0 specifications with capacities from 128GB to 2TB and read speeds up to 3400MB/s, for professional photographers and videographers using compatible cameras.
- CFexpress Type A Memory Cards (Gold, Iridium) Professional-grade CFexpress Type A memory cards in Gold and Iridium variants, supporting CFexpress 2.0 and 4.0 specifications, designed for Sony mirrorless camera systems.
- SDXC Memory Cards (V60 Gold, V90 Iridium) UHS-II SDXC memory cards available in V60 Gold and V90 Iridium tiers for professional photography and video applications, with read speeds up to 300MB/s.
- microSDXC Memory Cards (V30 Strontium, V60 Gold) microSDXC memory cards in V30 Strontium and V60 Gold variants for action cameras, drones, and mobile devices.
- External SSD USB 4.0 (PG10) Professional workflow external SSD with USB 4.0 connectivity offering high performance and sustained speed for high-frame-rate video and large file transfers.
- Pro Mini SSD USB 4.0 (PG10.5) Compact portable SSD with USB 4.0 interface available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities for professional workflow storage.
- Ultra-Portable SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 (PG30) Compact ultra-portable SSD with USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity for on-the-go workflow needs.
- Professional Card Readers (CFexpress, SD, microSD) Professional card readers supporting CFexpress Type A/B, SDXC UHS-II, and microSD cards with USB 4.0 and USB 3.2 connectivity, including single-slot, dual-slot, and mobile reader variants.
- Pro Hub Thunderbolt 4 (PG20) Professional Thunderbolt 4 hub with power, speed, and magnetic modularity for workflow expansion.
- Pro Dock Thunderbolt 5 (PG25) Professional Thunderbolt 5 dock with 80Gbps output performance for streamlined and customized workflows.
- Recovery Pro Software Data recovery software for recovering deleted photos or videos from memory cards, sold as a one-time license for professional photographers and videographers.
- Refresh Pro Software Memory card preparation software that refreshes and maintains card performance, sold as a one-time license for professional users.
- Ingest Pro Software Content management and ingestion software for professional photo and video workflows, sold as a one-time license.
- Pro Card Caddy Premium memory card case designed to keep media organized, protected, and within reach for efficient workflow integration for professional photographers and videographers.
- USB 4.0 Dual-Slot CFexpress & SDXC UHS-II Readers (PG05.7 and PG09.7) High-speed USB 4.0 dual-slot readers (PG05.7 for CFexpress Type B and SD; PG09.7 for CFexpress Type A and SD) supporting simultaneous data transfer from both slots at up to 40Gbps.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 3400MB/s read speed and 3000MB/s write speed on CFexpress 4.0 cards
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ProGrade Digital
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ProGrade Digital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ProGrade Digital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- NASAflagshipSpace Act agreement between ProGrade Digital and NASA for Artemis lunar missions. ProGrade Iridium CFexpress Type B cards and memory card readers selected due to ability to pass difficult space environment testing criteria. 400GB cards stored photos during Artemis II mission; same card family planned for Artemis III Handheld Universal Lunar Camera system.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ProGrade Digital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kingston Technology: Kingston is a major memory card, USB drive, and SSD manufacturer with strong channel and OEM relationships. While more value-tier than ProGrade on premium cards, Kingston competes across the same SKUs in SDXC, microSD, and CFexpress.
- Samsung Memory: Samsung's memory division produces a full line of EVO and PRO SDXC/microSD cards and portable SSDs (T-series). It competes with ProGrade across consumer-adjacent professional segments and has substantially larger scale and pricing power.
- SanDisk (Western Digital): Western Digital's SanDisk brand is the dominant memory card and removable storage player globally. ProGrade's founders came directly from Lexar and SanDisk, and SanDisk is the most direct large-scale competitor across CFexpress, SDXC, and microSD categories.
- Sony (CFexpress Type A): Sony controls the proprietary CFexpress Type A format used primarily in its Alpha mirrorless and FX/FX3 cinema cameras. As both a camera OEM and a memory card maker (Sony TOUGH series), Sony is a direct competitor and a key format-licensing partner for ProGrade's Type A product line.
Direct peers
- Transcend Information: Transcend manufactures memory cards, card readers, SSDs, and industrial storage products. It competes across ProGrade's CFexpress, SDXC, microSD, and portable SSD lines, with particular strength in industrial and embedded customers.
- OWC (Other World Computing): OWC sells Thunderbolt docks, external SSDs, card readers, and memory upgrades targeted at creative professionals. It overlaps with ProGrade's workflow accessory business (Thunderbolt hubs/docks, readers, portable SSDs) for the same pro photo/video audience.
- G-Technology (SanDisk Professional): SanDisk Professional (formerly G-Technology) provides rugged portable SSDs and workflow drives (G-DRIVE, G-RAID) for professional photographers and videographers. It is the closest competitor to ProGrade's external SSD and workflow accessory product lines.
- Angelbird Technologies: Angelbird is an Austria-based premium memory card maker focused on professional cinema, photography, and industrial customers. Comparable to ProGrade in target market (RED, ARRI, Blackmagic users), product positioning (high-end CFexpress/SDXC), and pricing tier.
- Delkin Devices: Delkin manufactures BLACK series rugged memory cards and readers targeted at professional photographers and industrial/government users. Comparable product portfolio (CFexpress, SDXC, microSD, readers) and shared customer overlap with action sports, motorsports, and federal segments.
- Lexar: Lexar is a direct competitor in professional-grade memory cards, card readers, and SSDs. ProGrade's CEO Wes Brewer previously led Lexar's memory products division, and the two companies compete head-to-head for the same professional photography and videography customer base.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ProGrade Digital social profiles
Digital presenceProGrade Digital compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
ProGrade Digital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ProGrade Digital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
ProGrade Digital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ProGrade Digital 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 ProGrade Digital
What does ProGrade Digital do?
ProGrade Digital designs, manufactures, and sells professional-grade memory cards (CFexpress Type A/B, SDXC UHS-II, microSDXC, CFast 2.0) and complementary workflow products including USB 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4/5 card readers, external SSDs, hubs, and docks. The company also offers proprietary workflow software (Recovery Pro, Refresh Pro, Ingest Pro) and accessories such as the Pro Card Caddy, all targeted at professional photographers, videographers, and cinematographers using high-end cameras.
Is ProGrade Digital a public or private company?
ProGrade Digital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ProGrade Digital founded?
ProGrade Digital was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ProGrade Digital based?
ProGrade Digital is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does ProGrade Digital make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Memory Cards are the primary driver. The others are card Readers, SSDs and Storage, hubs and Docks and software Products.
Who are ProGrade Digital's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kingston Technology, Samsung Memory, SanDisk (Western Digital) and Sony (CFexpress Type A). Direct peers are Transcend Information, OWC (Other World Computing), G-Technology (SanDisk Professional), Angelbird Technologies, Delkin Devices and Lexar.
Does ProGrade Digital have an API?
No public API is recorded for ProGrade Digital.
What industry is ProGrade Digital in?
ProGrade Digital's product category is Professional Digital Storage Memory Cards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAIAD, Memory Cards (SD/microSD/CFexpress). Its NAICS code is 334112 and its SIC code is 3572.