Learning Labs
Learning Labs, Inc. is a family-owned educational distributor founded in 1967 in Calhoun, Georgia, representing seven manufacturers of STEM and CTE equipment — including fuel cell science kits, hydroponics, PLC/automation trainers, welding systems, and electronics trainers — to K-12 schools, community colleges, and technical colleges across seven southeastern U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersCalhoun, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Learning Labs does
Learning Labs, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned educational resource distributor founded in 1967 in Calhoun, Georgia, by Tom and Martha Richardson. The company does not manufacture products; instead it serves as a regional sales representative and distributor for seven third-party manufacturers of STEM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) equipment across a seven-state southeastern U.S. territory (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Its represented product lines span Horizon Educational (fuel cell, renewable energy, and bio-energy science kits including the H-Racer 2.0 and various renewable energy science kits), Horizon Hydroponics' HydroFarm (a smart, on-site hydroponic growing system with built-in sensors and companion-app integration for plant-science education), TII Technical Education Systems (technology fundamentals, advanced systems, and Computer Integrated Manufacturing / CIM trainers covering power, pneumatics, hydraulics, sensors, and PLCs), Nida Corporation (electronics training systems for automotive, aviation/avionics, and general electronics troubleshooting, also used by the U.S. military), Mobile Modular Training Systems (portable PLC, pneumatics, VFD, servo motion, and automation trainers for Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms), Clean Air Industries (weld fume extraction, downdraft tables, and ambient air cleaners manufactured in Rome, Georgia), and Miller Electric (the full line of MIG/TIG/Stick welders, plasma cutters, automation solutions, fume extractors, and welding safety equipment).
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time capital-equipment sales to K-12 schools and districts, community and technical colleges, and Career and Technical Student Organizations (TSA, SkillsUSA, FFA, HOSA). A growing recurring revenue layer exists through the HydroFarm subscription service, which bundles the smart companion app with ongoing delivery of seeds, nutrients, and substrates. Go-to-market combines dedicated Regional Managers (each assigned to one of the seven states) providing direct field sales, technical consultation, and after-sale service, an e-commerce storefront at lli-estore.com, a website (lli.com) with state-specific product pages and event calendars, and a network of pre-negotiated bid contracts and purchasing-cooperative memberships — most notably BuyBoard (Contract #750-24, effective 11/1/2024–10/31/2026) and TIPS (Bid #240804, valid through 10/18/2029), plus direct contracts with multiple state and county school systems. Pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed, and the company does not use external capital; ownership and operations remain within the Richardson family.
Learning Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Learning Labs
- Legal name
- Learning Labs, Inc.
- Website
- https://lli.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Learning Labs, Inc. is a family-owned educational distributor founded in 1967 in Calhoun, Georgia, representing seven manufacturers of STEM and CTE equipment — including fuel cell science kits, hydroponics, PLC/automation trainers, welding systems, and electronics trainers — to K-12 schools, community colleges, and technical colleges across seven southeastern U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Learning Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM/CTE Educational Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Virtual Labs, Remote Labs & Hands-On Practice Tools (EDAFABAH), Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Learning Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calhoun
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Learning Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Educational Equipment Sales: One-time sales of educational technology equipment including STEM kits, training systems, welding equipment, and industrial automation trainers to schools, colleges, and educational institutions. Products are sold through regional managers and an e-commerce storefront.
- HydroFarm Subscription Service: Smart companion app combined with subscription service providing seeds, nutrients, and substrates for the HydroFarm hydroponics system. Creates recurring revenue relationship with educational customers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Learning Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Learning Labs, Inc. is a regional representative and distributor of STEM and career technical education (CTE) equipment for K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions across seven southeastern US states. The company carries and supports product lines from seven manufacturers covering renewable energy/fuel cells, hydroponics, electronics, PLC/automation, welding, and air filtration, and provides personalized sales support, technical consultation, and after-sale service through its network of Regional Managers and bid contracts with school systems.
Product overview
Learning Labs, Inc. is a family-owned educational resource distributor established in 1967, specializing in STEM and career technology education products. The company does not manufacture its own products but serves as a regional representative for multiple manufacturers of educational technology equipment across a seven-state region in the southeastern United States. The portfolio consists of distinct product lines representing seven manufacturers: Horizon Educational (fuel cell and renewable energy science kits including the Renewable Energy Science Kit, H-Racer 2.0, Renewable Energy Monitor, Bio-Energy Science Kit, Solar Hydrogen Science Kit, Wind to Hydrogen Science Kit, and Horizon Hydrogen Training Set); Horizon Hydroponics' HydroFarm (smart hydroponic growing system with sensors and app integration); TII Technical Education Systems (technology fundamentals trainers, advanced systems, and integrated automation/CIM systems for power technology, control systems, and manufacturing automation); Nida Corporation (electronics training systems for automotive, aviation, and general electronics); Mobile Modular Training Systems (portable modular training systems for automation, PLCs, pneumatics, and motor control); Clean Air Industries (weld fume extraction and air filtration equipment for educational welding labs); and Miller (full line of welding equipment including welders, automation, fume extraction, and safety gear). Products are available through state-specific bid contracts and are designed for hands-on applied learning in K-12 and post-secondary career and technical education environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Horizon Educational Renewable Energy & Fuel Cell Science Kits
Companies that use Learning Labs
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Learning Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Learning Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Horizon EducationalcoreLearning Labs represents Horizon Educational products in their 7-state region. Horizon Educational was founded in 2003 and is dedicated to providing fun and meaningful learning experiences through adapting innovative technologies into classrooms while maintaining robust academic standards. Products include fuel cell kits, renewable energy science kits, H-Racer 2.0, and the Horizon Hydroponics HydroFarm system.
- TII Technical Education SystemscoreLearning Labs represents TII products in their territory. TII is an internationally known technological leader in providing hands-on learning systems focusing on fundamentals through advanced principles of technology. Product lines include Power Technology, Control Systems, and Integrated Automation training systems including Technology Fundamentals series, Advanced Systems, and CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) systems.
- Nida CorporationcoreLearning Labs represents Nida Corporation products. Since 1972, Nida has grown to become a world leader in sophisticated electronics training systems, originally from the aerospace industry meeting military high-technology training requirements. Products include Model 130ST trainer, automotive electronics trainers, aviation/avionics trainers, and the Model 360S systems trainer. Used by US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
- Mobile Modular Training SystemscoreLearning Labs represents Mobile Modular Training Systems. Mobile Modular provides mobile and modular physical training units for advanced manufacturing skills training. Products include Automation Training Systems, Control Devices Training Systems, Pneumatics Training Systems, VFD Training Systems, Servo Motion Training Systems, and PLC Training Systems (Allen-Bradley and Siemens).
- Clean Air IndustriescoreLearning Labs represents Clean Air Industries products for the education market. Clean Air Industries specializes in engineered solutions for welding smoke, oil mist, dust removal, plasma and laser cutting. Products include WeldStation Dual, 2x3 Down Draft Table, Portable Fume Collector, Bolt Together Welding Booths, Fume Dog extractors, and automotive paint booths. Products are manufactured in Rome, Georgia.
- Miller Electric (Miller Welding Equipment)coreLearning Labs offers Miller's full line of welding products including MIG welders, TIG welders, Stick welders, Engine drive welder generators, plasma cutters, oxy-fuel equipment, ProHeat induction heating systems, fume extraction systems, and safety equipment. Miller is a leading manufacturer of welding equipment.
- BuyBoard Purchasing CooperativemajorLearning Labs participates as a vendor on BuyBoard purchasing cooperative, Contract #750-24 for Instructional Materials and Classroom Teaching Supplies and Equipment (11/1/2024 - 10/31/2026), allowing educational institutions to procure products through established purchasing agreements.
- TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System)majorLearning Labs participates on TIPS purchasing cooperative, Bid Contract Number 240804 for Academic and Educational Goods and Services (good through 10/18/2029), enabling educational institutions to purchase products through this procurement system.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Learning Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Paxton/Patterson: Long-standing regional distributor of CTE, STEM, and career-pathway equipment to K-12 schools and technical colleges across multiple U.S. states. Closely comparable to Learning Labs in model (multi-manufacturer rep), customer base (CTE educators), and product categories (manufacturing, health sciences, welding, automation).
- Carolina Biological Supply Company: Major distributor of science education supplies, kits, and laboratory equipment to K-12 and post-secondary institutions. Comparable to Learning Labs in channel (catalog + field sales), customer base (school science departments), and focus on hands-on STEM learning, though broader in life/physical sciences.
- Ward's Science (VWR part of Avantor): Distributor of science education supplies, lab equipment, and STEM kits to schools and colleges. Comparable to Learning Labs in target customer (K-12 and college science/CTE programs) and product mix (lab apparatus, biology/chemistry kits), though anchored more in life sciences than industrial CTE.
- PASCO Scientific: Manufacturer and distributor of STEM education probeware, sensors, and data-acquisition systems for science classrooms. Comparable to Learning Labs' Horizon Educational fuel cell/renewable energy line in serving STEM instruction with hands-on, measurement-driven equipment.
- Lab-Aids: Developer and supplier of hands-on science kits and curriculum for middle and high school classrooms. Comparable to Learning Labs in the renewable-energy and science-kit segments and in the school-channel GTM, though Lab-Aids develops its own curriculum in-house.
Broad incumbents
- School Specialty: One of the largest U.S. distributors of educational supplies, furniture, and equipment to K-12 schools. Overlaps with Learning Labs in the equipment/supply distribution channel and purchasing-cooperative relationships, but at much broader scale and with a national footprint.
- Fisher Science Education (Thermo Fisher Scientific): The education-focused arm of Thermo Fisher, supplying laboratory equipment, chemicals, and STEM instructional materials to K-12 and higher education. Overlaps with Learning Labs' lab/STEM equipment distribution, but at national scale and as part of a much larger life-sciences conglomerate.
Regional players
- Lakeshore Learning Materials: Supplier of educational materials, supplies, and classroom equipment primarily to K-12 schools and early-childhood programs across the U.S. Comparable to Learning Labs in school-channel distribution and supply-cooperative participation, though more weighted to early/elementary grades than secondary CTE.
Emerging players
- RealityWorks: Provider of hands-on CTE learning tools, including welding simulators, healthcare task trainers, and STEM modules. Directly comparable to Learning Labs' portfolio in the welding and applied CTE segments, with overlap on consumables and curriculum bundles.
Others
- Boreal Science (formerly Carolina Science): Distributor of science education supplies and lab equipment serving K-12 and post-secondary markets. Adjacent peer to Learning Labs in channel and product mix, providing an ecosystem/data-vendor-style comparison for distribution-led STEM supply businesses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Learning Labs social profiles
Digital presenceLearning Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Learning Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Learning Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Learning Labs 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 Learning Labs
What does Learning Labs do?
Learning Labs, Inc. is a regional representative and distributor of STEM and career technical education (CTE) equipment for K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions across seven southeastern US states. The company carries and supports product lines from seven manufacturers covering renewable energy/fuel cells, hydroponics, electronics, PLC/automation, welding, and air filtration, and provides personalized sales support, technical consultation, and after-sale service through its network of Regional Managers and bid contracts with school systems.
Is Learning Labs a public or private company?
Learning Labs is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Learning Labs founded?
Learning Labs was founded in 1967. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Learning Labs based?
Learning Labs is headquartered in Calhoun, United States, in the North America region.
How does Learning Labs make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Educational Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are hydroFarm Subscription Service.
Who are Learning Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Paxton/Patterson, Carolina Biological Supply Company, Ward's Science (VWR part of Avantor), PASCO Scientific and Lab-Aids. Broad incumbents are School Specialty and Fisher Science Education (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Lakeshore Learning Materials is listed as a regional player. RealityWorks is listed as an emerging player. Boreal Science (formerly Carolina Science) is listed as an others.
Does Learning Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Learning Labs.
What industry is Learning Labs in?
Learning Labs's product category is STEM/CTE Educational Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAC, Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces), with a secondary code of EDAFABAH, Virtual Labs, Remote Labs & Hands-On Practice Tools. Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.