What Oat Foundry LLC does

Oat Foundry LLC is a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of custom electromechanical "split-flap" analog displays, positioned as the only US producer of commercial-grade split-flap systems. The company designs and handcrafts displays to order at its 2275 Bridge Street workshop in Philadelphia, using modular cabinets, custom printed circuit boards, stepper motors, and printed flap carousels tested to 50 million rotations. Core products are Split Flap text displays (starting at ~$15k), Picture Flap image displays (starting at ~$20k), Chroma Flap all-color kinetic wall installations (starting at ~$150k, launched February 2026), and the Algorithm interactive button/fader add-on. A proprietary Portal cloud-based content management system is included free with every display and supports API integrations for live data (sports scores, weather, transit, flight tracking).

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of custom-built displays and optional installation/technical services, supplemented by a rental program for trade shows and brand activations (weekly pricing $7.4k–$22.4k). Pricing is quote-based and scales with size, finish, color, and customization. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales, with every purchase preceded by a 20–30 minute demo call; demand generation is driven by content marketing (blog, Analog Dictionary, YouTube), organic social (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest), and earned media from high-profile installations. Customers span enterprise (Nespresso, Salesforce, Starbucks, Carnival, Glossier, Pebble Beach, Philadelphia Phillies, Nolita Hall, 325 Main Kendall Center, Heritage Towers, Dubai's Julith Coffee, Pittsburgh International Airport, Hong Kong's Beef & Liberty), SMB (Crust & Crumb, Station House Cafe, Erosion Wine, Station Craft), and cultural institutions (Kaeserberg Railway Museum, Birch Contemporary). Installations span the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Canada, and Australia.

Oat Foundry is privately held as an LLC, operates with 1–10 employees, has no disclosed external funding, and was founded circa 2013–2016 (firmographic source states 2013; history source states 2016 — note source conflict). Strategic emphasis is on craftsmanship, customization, and a category-of-one position in US-made custom split-flap systems for enterprise and experiential applications.

Name

Oat Foundry LLC

Legal name

Oat Foundry LLC

Website

https://OatFoundry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oat Foundry LLC is a Philadelphia-based custom manufacturer of handcrafted electromechanical split-flap analog displays, serving enterprise, hospitality, sports, retail, events, and cultural clients globally with proprietary hardware and Portal CMS software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bensalem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Split Flap Display Sales: Sale of custom-built mechanical split-flap, picture flap, and chroma flap displays. Each display is built to order in Philadelphia and priced based on size, customizations, and finish. Split Flap starts at approximately $15k; Picture Flap starts at approximately $20k; Chroma Flap starts at approximately $150k.
2. Split Flap Rentals: Rental of Split Flap displays for trade shows, brand activations, experiential marketing events, and corporate events. Available in three sizes (3x16, 3x24, 6x32), priced per week. Rentals include content management system and a router. One-day events up to 3-week rental periods available. International shipping supported.
3. Algorithm Add-On Sales: Sale of the Algorithm interactive add-on hardware and software, which must be paired with a Split Flap display. Customized labeling to client specifications. Two layout options (6 buttons with and without Fader). Battery powered with USB-C charging.
4. On-site Installation and Technical Support Services: Optional installation, technical setup, remote support, and event-day assistance services. Available for both purchases and rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Oat Foundry designs, engineers, and handcrafts custom mechanical analog display systems in Philadelphia, including text-based Split Flap displays, image-based Picture Flap displays, and all-color Chroma Flap kinetic wall installations for commercial clients. Every display ships with the proprietary Portal content management system for messaging, scheduling, animations, and live data integrations. The company also rents displays for events and provides optional installation and technical support services.

Product overview

Oat Foundry LLC offers a portfolio of custom mechanical analog display products built by hand in Philadelphia. The core product family includes Split Flap (text-based displays starting at ~$15k), Picture Flap (image-based displays starting at ~$20k), and Chroma Flap (all-color kinetic wall installations starting at ~$150k). These are complemented by the Algorithm interactive add-on (button/fader controls) and Portal content management software with API connectivity for live data integration. The company also offers Split Flap rental options for events. All products use the company's signature mechanical flip technology inspired by classic Solari departure boards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Split Flap Text-based analog display that uses mechanical flip technology to show alphanumeric characters and messages. Handmade in Philadelphia, available in custom sizes and finishes (Classic Black, White, or custom colors) ranging from compact (1 Row x 40 Columns) to large architectural installations (21 Rows x 40 Columns with 42,000 flaps). Designed for enterprise offices, hospitality, stadiums, retail, and transit clients. Starts at approximately $15,000.
• Picture Flap Multi-image analog display that flips through high-resolution images rather than text, functioning as a kinetic canvas for art, branding, and photography. Customizable with client images and used for legacy walls, donor walls, experiential exhibitions, and brand showcases. Starts at approximately $20,000.
• Chroma Flap All-color kinetic wall installation using three-dimensional architectural modules that display cascading animated patterns, color gradients, brand logos, and dynamic data visualizations. Targets experiential interiors including lobbies, offices, and brand statement walls as an alternative to video walls and static architectural elements. Starts at $150,000.
• Split Flap Rentals Rental of Split Flap displays for trade shows, brand activations, experiential marketing events, and corporate events. Available in three sizes (3x16, 3x24, 6x32) with weekly pricing starting at $7,400. Includes content management system and router; supports US and international shipping for one-day to three-week rental periods.
• Algorithm Interactive Add-On Interactive add-on hardware for Split Flap displays featuring button and optional fader controls that let guests trigger curated messages aligned with brand messaging. Available in 4, 6, or 8 button layouts, with or without a fader, and supports customized labeling. Battery powered with USB-C charging; must be paired with a Split Flap display.
• Portal Content Management System Proprietary cloud-based content management system included free with every Split Flap display purchase. Accessible from phone, tablet, or laptop via web browser, with features including designing and saving thousands of messages, unlimited user accounts, controlling multiple signs from one account, API connectivity options, 30 built-in animations, instant messaging, scheduling, and infinite loop modes. Supports live data via APIs for sports scores, weather forecasts, and transit data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Guests comprehend and internalize printed text 44% more than digital messaging
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• NMBLflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC-based agency NMBL collaborated with Oat Foundry on Nespresso's largest global flagship store in New York City's Flatiron district. The 42,000-flap kinetic Split Flap display was designed and fabricated in partnership with NMBL, which handled the overall design and experiential retail strategy for the project.
• General Metal CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationSheet metal fabrication partner located near Oat Foundry's Philadelphia shop. General Metal Company's team laser-cuts and bends sheet metal into the precise shapes needed for Split Flap cabinet panels. The partnership enables modular cabinet construction built in sets of eight columns.
• Arrow Crating and PackagingminorOthersLocated across the Delaware River from Oat Foundry's Philadelphia shop, Arrow Crating and Packaging builds foam-lined crates specifically designed for each display's size and configuration for safe shipping worldwide.
• Unnamed Regional Printing PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationTwo trusted regional partners produce the printed flap characters and symbols. After printing and cutting, Oat Foundry technicians hand-punch and install flaps into rotating carousels. Leftover material is recycled locally.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Solari di Udine: The original Italian manufacturer of split-flap departure boards (the technological inspiration for Oat Foundry). Solari di Udine continues to produce mechanical flap displays and represents the direct ancestral peer in this product category.

Broad incumbents

• ESI Design: NYC-based experience design firm creating branded environments and interactive installations for museums, retail, and corporate clients. Comparable in producing custom physical environments that combine storytelling, technology, and craft for enterprise customers.
• Moment Factory: Montreal-based multimedia studio creating immersive environments and large-scale experiential installations worldwide. Comparable in delivering high-budget, custom-built immersive experiences for brands and public spaces, though typically digital rather than mechanical.
• Jack Morton Worldwide: Global experiential marketing agency producing brand experiences, events, and installations at scale. Comparable as a downstream buyer of custom installations and as a potential channel partner for Oat Foundry in the experiential marketing segment.
• George P. Johnson Experience Marketing: Global experience marketing agency creating brand activations, exhibits, and event installations for enterprise clients. Comparable as an adjacent participant in the experiential marketing ecosystem where Oat Foundry's rental and custom products are deployed.

Emerging players

• Local Projects: NYC interactive experience studio creating kinetic and interactive installations for museums, civic spaces, and retail (e.g., National September 11 Memorial Museum). Comparable in delivering custom-built interactive physical experiences for cultural and brand clients.
• Random International: London-based kinetic art studio known for Rain Room and other mechanically-driven art installations. Comparable in producing kinetic, mechanical experiential art at museum and brand scale, with similar craft-intensive production models.
• teamLab: Japanese digital art collective operating immersive permanent venues (e.g., teamLab Borderless/Planets) and traveling exhibitions. Comparable in creating destination-scale experiential installations that monetize physical foot traffic with kinetic/dynamic content.
• Meow Wolf: US-based experiential art company operating large-scale immersive art installations in multiple cities. Comparable in creating custom-built physical destination experiences, though via traditional sculptural/interior techniques rather than mechanical displays.
• Gentleman Scholar: LA-based creative studio producing branded content, films, and installations with a handcrafted, analog aesthetic. Comparable in combining analog/handcrafted sensibilities with brand storytelling for enterprise experiential campaigns.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/OatFoundry
• Facebookfacebook.com/oatfoundry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oat-foundry-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/oatfoundrybuilds
• Pinterestpinterest.com/oatfoundrybuilds
• Xx.com/oatfoundry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Oat Foundry LLC