OXON

What OXON does

OXON (Oxon AG) is a Swiss IT company headquartered in Liebefeld, a suburb of Bern, that designs and sells educational and IoT hardware products built on ESP32 microcontrollers. The flagship product family, Oxocard, is a series of credit-card-form-factor programmable boards (Connect/Connect 2, Galaxy, Artwork, Science, Science Plus GOLD EDITION) featuring a 16-pin cartridge expansion system that supports plug-and-play modules for environmental sensing, time-of-flight distance measurement, synthesis, LED matrices, and breadboard prototyping. Launched at the Swiss Economic Forum in 2017 as a Curriculum 21 initiative, Oxocard has been deployed in over 300 Swiss schools and is supported by teaching materials published through hep Verlag and special-edition Make Magazine issues. Adjacent product lines include Oxobutton (programmable smart buttons with E-Ink displays and LoRaWAN connectivity), Oxocare (a healthcare nurse call system spun off as a separate company in 2019), and Oxovision (open-source digital signage deployed across all Migros Aare restaurants).

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) direct hardware sales via OXON's own e-commerce platform (shop.oxon.ch) priced in Swiss Francs, ranging from CHF 19 for entry-level microcontroller boards to CHF 99 for the Science Plus GOLD EDITION; (2) cartridge and accessory sales at CHF 7.90–CHF 29.90 that create incremental revenue from the installed base; and (3) custom professional services for enterprise clients covering web applications, mobile apps (React/React Native), backend systems, and custom electronics development. Named enterprise customers include the Swiss Football Association (Sport-Totomat, MatchHighlight-App, Clubcorner), Valiant Bank (Budget-Rechner app), Juice Technology (E-Tankstellen app), the Swiss Horse Sports Association, and Migros Aare. OXON combines a product-led growth motion for education and prosumer hardware with a sales-led motion for enterprise services, leveraging partnerships with Sensirion (Swiss-made sensors), STMicroelectronics (VL53L5CX ToF), hep Verlag, and Make Magazine to extend technical and distribution capabilities.

Go-to-market is concentrated in the DACH region, particularly Switzerland, with multilingual DE/EN product support and direct-to-school and direct-to-enterprise sales motions. With 11–50 employees and no external venture or private equity backing disclosed, OXON operates as an independent, founder-owned Swiss SME. Core technology differentiators include the modular cartridge architecture, NanoPy web-based scripting environment, open hardware designs, CE/FCC-certified products, and integration of premium Sensirion environmental sensors.

Name

OXON

Legal name

Oxon AG

Website

https://oxon.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OXON (Oxon AG) is a Swiss IT company that designs ESP32-based educational microcontrollers (Oxocard), LoRaWAN smart buttons (Oxobutton), a healthcare nurse call system (Oxocare), and digital signage (Oxovision), serving over 300 Swiss schools and enterprise clients across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Microcontroller Hardware

NAICS

Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

Electronic Components & Accessories (3670), Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045)

akta.pro primary industry

Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail (CRACAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hardware & Embedded/IoT Programming (Microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi) (EDAMACAL)

Keywords

• Educational microcontroller hardware
• IoT development platforms
• Custom software development
• Digital signage solutions
• Sensor module cartridges

Headquarters

HQ city

Liebefeld

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of microcontroller devices (Oxocard Connect, Galaxy, Artwork, Science), cartridge modules, starter kits, and accessories. One-time hardware purchase model with accessories and add-ons as incremental revenue.
2. Custom Development Services: Professional services for web applications, mobile apps (React/React Native), backend systems, and custom electronics development for enterprise clients including Swiss Football Association and other organizations.
3. Teaching Materials and Publications: Sale of educational books and learning materials published through hep Verlag and in collaboration with Make Magazine.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

OXON designs, develops, and sells the Oxocard family of ESP32-based educational microcomputers and a 16-pin cartridge-based extension system (sensors, breadboard, synthesizer, pixel matrix), along with the Oxobutton IoT smart-button line, Oxocare healthcare nurse call systems, and Oxovision digital signage. The company also provides custom web, mobile, backend, and electronics development services to Swiss enterprises such as the Swiss Football Association and Valiant Bank. All hardware is sold direct-to-consumer via the company's own e-commerce shop, with enterprise projects delivered through direct sales engagement.

Product overview

OXON is a Swiss IT company based in Liebefeld (Bern) developing surprising IT solutions with a portfolio of educational and IoT hardware products. The core product family is Oxocard, launched in 2017 at the Swiss Economic Forum as an educational computer initiative for Curriculum 21, now deployed at over 300 schools. The Oxocard platform consists of programmable microcontroller boards in credit card format (Oxocard Connect, Galaxy, Artwork, Science, Science Plus) that can be expanded via a cartridge system supporting sensors, synthesizers, LED matrices, and breadboard interfaces. Supporting product lines include Oxobutton (programmable smart buttons with E-Ink displays for IoT applications), Oxocare (healthcare nurse call system), and Oxovision (digital signage solution). The company also offers development services for web applications, mobile apps, and custom electronics development using agile processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Oxocard: Educational computer launched in 2017 at Swiss Economic Forum; programmable mini computer in credit card format with various sensor capabilities; successfully introduced at over 300 schools with international awards
• Oxocare
• Oxobutton
• Oxovision

Products and services

• Oxocard Connect ESP32-based experimental microcontroller computer in credit card format with TFT screen, joystick, USB-C, 16-pin cartridge slot for plug-and-play expansion, WiFi/USB programming, and the web-based NanoPy scripting environment for education and IoT prototyping.
• Oxocard Connect 2 Updated version of Oxocard Connect featuring improved joystick with knobbed, non-slip rubber surface, TFT screen, glass cover, USB-C, and 16-pin cartridge slot; CE and FCC certified.
• Oxocard Galaxy Programmable minicomputer in credit card format with space-themed design and classic games; ESP32 MCU, 2 MB RAM, 8 MB flash, 240x240 pixel 24-bit color display, acceleration sensor, loudspeaker, and five buttons; sold at CHF 29.00.
• Oxocard Artwork Programmable minicomputer in credit card format with interactive computer-animation examples; ESP32 MCU, acceleration sensor, loudspeaker, five buttons, and 240x240 pixel 24-bit color display.
• Oxocard Science Multi-sensor programmable board in credit card format measuring temperature, air pressure, humidity, VoC, eCO2, ethanol, air quality, light, infrared, frequencies, noise level, gravity, and 3D acceleration, featuring ESP32 MCU with 2 MB RAM and 8 MB flash.
• Oxocard Science Plus GOLD EDITION Advanced version of Oxocard Science with significantly more precise Sensirion sensors for CO2, NOx, and VoC, plus an 8x8 multi-zone ToF distance sensor, gesture recognition, and a piezo speaker for acoustic alarms.
• Oxocard Blockly Entry-level Oxocard set packaged in a recycled-cardboard housing with LiPo battery and Micro-USB cable, designed to introduce block-based visual programming courses in K-12 education.
• Oxocard Innovator Kit Complete electronics starter kit bundling Oxocard Connect, Breadboard Cartridge, sensors, LEDs, resistors, cables, and an online NanoPy-based electronics course with experiments, available in Standard Edition and Make Magazine co-developed Edition variants.
• Breakout Electronics Kit Expansion kit for Oxocard Connect featuring sensors, drivers, and actuators for measurement, control, and regulation projects, bundled with a Make Magazine special-edition booklet of experiments.
• Oxobutton 2 Programmable smart button with high-resolution E-Ink display, glass cover, temperature/humidity/light sensors, and LoRaWAN 868 MHz connectivity, suitable for gastronomy, security, healthcare, logistics, and facility management use cases.
• Buttonboard LoRaWAN Robust enterprise-grade smart button with six capacitive touch buttons, LoRaWAN 868 MHz and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity, multicolor LED array, speaker, vibration motor, accelerometer, temperature sensor, and 2400 mAh lithium battery, sold under volume pricing on request.
• CO2 Aura Stick USB-stick-form-factor CO2 sensor traffic light built around a high-quality Sensirion CO2 sensor, designed for plug-and-play use in PCs, power chargers, or phone chargers and suited to schools, offices, or home use.
• Oxocare Nurse call system for healthcare facilities built on modern Internet technology, automating processes and reducing costs without requiring electrical installations; spun out as a separate company in 2019.
• Oxovision Modern digital signage solution based on open-source technologies with a competitive price/performance ratio, low transaction costs, and high adaptability, deployed across all Migros Aare restaurants.
• Custom Software, Mobile, and IoT Development Services Custom professional services for Swiss enterprise clients covering web applications, mobile apps developed with React and React Native, backend systems, and bespoke electronics design, delivered through direct enterprise engagement using agile processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully deployed in over 300 schools
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• SensirioncoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss sensor manufacturer providing high-quality environmental sensors (SGP41, SCD40/SCD41, SHT40) for Oxocard and cartridge products. Partnership enables air quality monitoring capabilities in educational and IoT products.
• hep VerlagcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned Swiss educational publisher that has published teaching materials for the Oxocard educational computer.
• Make Magazine / Make:MagazincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership creating special editions of Innovator Kits and educational magazines. Make Magazine publishes 64-68 page special issues accompanying Oxocard products.
• Swiss Football Association (Schweizerischer Fussballverband)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment of Sport-Totomat scoring system, MatchHighlight-App, and Clubcorner platform for Swiss football.
• Swiss Horse Sports Association (Schweizerischer Pferdesportverband)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment of online registration system (Online-Nennsystem) for the association.
• Migros AaremajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOxovision digital signage solution deployed across all Migros Aare restaurants.
• STMicroelectronicscoreTechnology or IntegrationVL53L5CX ToF (Time of Flight) sensor from STMicroelectronics used in ToF cartridge for 8x8 multi-zone distance measurement up to 4 meters.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Espruino: Espruino is a small European seller of JavaScript-programmable microcontroller boards (Puck.js, Pixl.js) directly comparable to Oxocard's web-based NanoPy scripting approach for accessible educational programming.
• Calliope: Calliope mini is a German-designed educational microcontroller explicitly built for K-12 computer science curricula, in nearly identical market positioning to the Oxocard: a card-format device with sensors, expansion options, and curriculum-aligned teaching materials.
• BBC Micro:bit: The BBC Micro:bit is a K-12 educational microcontroller distributed at massive scale across UK and global schools, directly competing with Oxocard for STEM computing curriculum slots and education procurement budgets.

Broad incumbents

• Arduino: Arduino provides an open-source microcontroller platform with a vast accessory and education ecosystem (Arduino UNO, Nano, Education Kit) overlapping Oxocard's maker and STEM use cases, though positioned more broadly than a credit-card-format learning device.
• SparkFun Electronics: SparkFun designs and sells maker/STEM electronics kits, microcontrollers, and sensors. Their educational electronics kits and Qwiic ecosystem partially overlap with Oxocard's cartridge/Sensirion-driven learning bundles.
• Pimoroni: Pimoroni designs and sells Raspberry Pi/ESP32 accessories and educational maker kits with similar educational positioning to Oxocard's cartridge and Innovator Kit lines; a UK-based maker hardware specialist competing for STEM mindshare in Europe.
• Adafruit: Adafruit is a major US maker-electronics retailer and accessory manufacturer whose products (Feather, Circuit Playground, sensors, breakout boards) directly compete with Oxocard's Cartridge expansion and Innovator Kit accessory strategy.
• Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi offers a much broader single-board computer and educational computing ecosystem (Pico microcontroller plus full Linux SBCs) that competes with Oxocard across both maker and K-12 STEM segments with significantly larger global reach.

Emerging players

• Lego Education: Lego Education (SPIKE Prime, Mindstorms) competes for the same K-12 STEAM curriculum and hardware budget that drives Oxocard's 300+ Swiss school wins, though with a robotics/construction focus rather than a microcontroller.

Others

• Texas Instruments Education Technology: TI's education technology unit (TI-Nspire, TI-Innovator Hub with micro:bit-like microcontroller integration) competes for the STEM school computing budget that anchors Oxocard's education revenue, particularly for math and science curricula.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/oxonag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oxon-ag

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OXON