What Elecrow does

Elecrow (legal entity Shenzhen Yikenuo Technology Development Company Limited) is a Shenzhen-based private electronics company founded in 2012 that operates a dual business: (1) a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform selling development boards, HMI displays, LoRa/LoRaWAN and Meshtastic communication modules, sensors, and STEM education kits under sub-brands including CrowPanel, Crowbits, CrowView, CrowPi, and ThinkNode; and (2) a B2B PCBA contract manufacturing operation offering PCB fabrication from prototype (1 piece) to mass production (100,000 pieces), component sourcing, conformal coating, and box-build assembly, with ISO9001, IATF16949, ISO13485, and ISO14001 certifications serving industrial, medical, and automotive electronics customers. Core technology leverages ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-P4, nRF52840, and Semtech SX1302 silicon, with proprietary Letscode graphical programming software and the award-winning Crowbits magnetic building-block system providing STEM education differentiation. The company also offers custom manufacturing services including 3D printing, CNC milling, acrylic laser cutting, and injection molding, plus value-add services like a free online Gerber DFM viewer and conformal coating.

Elecrow's revenue model is primarily transaction-based: one-time hardware sales through elecrow.com, quote-based PCBA services with component sourcing (turn-key, consigned, or combo), and custom manufacturing billed per project. The company operates a Partner Seller marketplace, a VIP Distributor program, and uses CrowdSupply for select crowdfunding launches, giving it a global direct and channeled distribution footprint. Go-to-market is product-led growth for the maker/education segment (with self-serve e-commerce, an active forum, GitHub repositories, and a Discord community) and enterprise field sales for turnkey PCBA engagements in regulated industries. The customer base spans STEM students (ages 6-18), individual makers, IoT developers, Raspberry Pi users, and OEM manufacturers in medical, automotive, and industrial sectors. Proprietary Letscode software, Red Dot Design Award-winning Crowbits hardware, and the multi-certification PCBA operation constitute the principal moat dimensions.

Name

Elecrow

Legal name

Shenzhen Yikenuo Technology Development Company Limited

Website

https://elecrow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Elecrow is a Shenzhen-based private hardware company that sells development boards, HMI displays, LoRa/Meshtastic modules, and STEM education kits through global e-commerce, while operating an ISO-certified turnkey PCBA contract manufacturing service for industrial, medical, and automotive OEMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronics Manufacturing Services & Open-Source Hardware

NAICS

Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing (334412), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

Printed Circuit Boards (3672), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS) (HDAHAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail (CRACAKAI), DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN), PCB, Prototyping Boards & Etching Supplies Retail (CRACAKAF), Maker / DIY Electronics & Physical Computing Platforms (EDAFANAC), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Electronics/Additive Electronics Printers (Printed Circuit & Functional Materials) (IMAAAAAH)

Keywords

• PCB assembly services
• Development boards
• STEM education kits
• HMI displays
• LoRa communication devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Shenzhen

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of development boards, displays, sensors, LoRa modules, and accessories through e-commerce platform. Products include ESP32 boards, CrowPanel HMI displays, CrowView portable monitors, CrowPi educational kits, Crowbits STEM toys, and ThinkNode communication devices.
2. PCB Fabrication Services: PCB manufacturing services offering fast turnaround with 'PCBs within 10x10cm for $1' pricing. Multiple materials available including standard and premium options.
3. PCB Assembly (PCBA) Services: Full turnkey PCBA solutions with component sourcing, assembly, and quality control. Supports 0201 components, 0.4mm Pitch BGA, QFN packages. Orders from 1 to 100,000 pieces. Certified to ISO9001, IATF16949, ISO13485, ISO14001.
4. Custom Manufacturing Services: Additional services including 3D printing, CNC milling, acrylic laser cutting, molding services, box build and final assembly, and customized cable solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Elecrow designs, manufactures, and sells open-source hardware products including development boards (ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Micro:bit), CrowPanel HMI displays, ThinkNode LoRa/Meshtastic communication devices, and STEM education kits (Crowbits, CrowPi, CrowView), alongside offering turnkey PCB fabrication, PCB Assembly (PCBA) services, and custom manufacturing (3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting, molding) for prototype to mass-production volumes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CrowPanel: HMI display series featuring ESP32-based touch displays, including Advance and Advanced series with various screen sizes
• Crowbits
• CrowView
• CrowPi
• ThinkNode
• GrowCube
• Letscode
• Crowtail
• CrowBot

Products and services

• Development Boards (ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Micro:bit) Microcontroller development boards and compatible kits for makers, hobbyists, and engineers building electronics projects. Covers ESP32 dev boards, ESP kits, Raspberry Pi main boards and kits, Arduino-compatible dev boards and shields, and Micro:bit kits/extend boards.
• CrowPanel HMI Displays ESP32-based human-machine interface (HMI) touch displays for embedded UI development, supporting LVGL graphics library. Available in Basic, Advanced, ESP32-P4, E-Paper, and Round/Rotary form factors from 2.4 to 10.1 inches with IPS technology. For IoT product developers, smart home device makers, and industrial UI integrators.
• ThinkNode LoRa / LoRaWAN / Meshtastic Devices Long-range LoRa and LoRaWAN communication devices, including M1-M7 series Meshtastic-compatible nodes (with EPD/IPS screens, GPS, WiFi, BLE) and G-series gateways. Used by IoT developers, smart city integrators, and off-grid communication users for mesh networking deployments.
• Crowbits Magnetic Electronic Building Blocks Magnetic, programmable electronic building blocks with 80+ modules, LEGO-compatible form factor and pogo-pin magnetic connectors. Used by children aged 6-18, parents, and schools to learn coding and electronics through modular construction.
• CrowPi Raspberry Pi Educational Kits Compact Raspberry Pi educational kits with integrated displays, including the CrowPi 9-inch display model compatible with Raspberry Pi 5. Used by students, schools, and STEM learners for Raspberry Pi-based learning and project work.
• CrowView Portable Monitors Portable monitors and laptop screen extenders, including the CrowView Note for turning phones and laptops into portable workstations. Targets SBC users, mobile professionals, and remote workers needing additional screen real estate.
• GrowCube Smart Plant Watering System Smart, automated plant self-watering system for indoor and home gardening use. Targeted at home users and plant enthusiasts who want automated irrigation.
• Letscode Graphical Programming Software Proprietary drag-and-drop block-based programming software for STEM learners, supporting Arduino, Micro:bit, and Raspberry Pi hardware platforms. Targeted at children aged 6-18, parents, and educators for teaching programming.
• PCB Assembly (PCBA) Services Full turnkey PCB Assembly (PCBA) services with component sourcing, assembly, and quality control. Supports 0201 components, 0.4mm pitch BGA, and QFN packages, with order volumes from 1 to 100,000 pieces. Certified to ISO9001, IATF16949, ISO13485, and ISO14001. Serves electronics manufacturers in industrial, medical, and automotive sectors.
• PCB Fabrication Services Custom PCB fabrication service with fast turnaround, offering standard and premium material options, finish upgrades, and economy pricing (10x10cm PCBs from $1). Serves electronics designers and manufacturers needing prototype and production boards.
• Custom Manufacturing Services (3D Printing, CNC, Laser Cutting, Molding) Custom manufacturing services including 3D printing, CNC milling, acrylic laser cutting, molding, box build, final assembly, and customized cable solutions. Targeted at product developers and electronics manufacturers needing prototype and low-volume production support.
• 26-in-1 Learning Kit for Arduino UNO R4 STEM education kit for the Arduino UNO R4 platform, bundling 26 lessons with WiFi and BLE support. Targeted at students, hobbyists, and educators using Arduino for electronics and programming learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.8% pass rate for PCBA products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LoRa AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElecrow joined the LoRa Alliance to contribute to and benefit from the LoRaWAN ecosystem. This membership enables Elecrow to participate in standards development for LoRaWAN technology and provides visibility within the IoT connectivity industry.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JLCPCB: Shenzhen-based PCB fabrication and turnkey PCBA provider. Most direct competitor on PCB pricing and SMT assembly services, including component sourcing.
• PCBWay: China-based PCB fabrication, PCBA, CNC, and 3D printing services. Directly competes with Elecrow on turnkey PCBA pricing, prototyping speed, and stencil/assembly bundles.
• Seeed Studio: Shenzhen-based open-source hardware and IoT company offering development boards, modules, sensors, and Fusion PCBA services. Overlaps with Elecrow on maker boards, Grove-style ecosystem, and PCBA.
• DFRobot: Shanghai-based maker and STEM education vendor. Competes with Elecrow's Crowbits, CrowPi, and Arduino/Raspberry Pi kits, plus the Boson and Gravity module ecosystems.
• Adafruit: US-based maker electronics retailer with proprietary development boards, sensors, displays, and a strong educational content library. Competes directly with Elecrow's development boards and STEM kits.
• SparkFun Electronics: US-based open-source hardware retailer selling development boards, sensors, and educational kits. Comparable to Elecrow on maker ecosystem breadth and educational positioning.
• Aisler: Europe-based PCB fabrication and PCBA service. Competes on small-batch PCB prototyping and assembly, similar to Elecrow's PCBA tier.
• OSH Park: US-based small-batch PCB fabrication service. Overlaps with Elecrow's PCB prototyping tier for hobbyist and small-business customers.

Broad incumbents

• TT Electronics: Global EMS and electronic components manufacturer with industrial, aerospace, and medical exposure. Competes for the higher-ASP certified PCBA work Elecrow's ISO13485/IATF16949 services target.

Emerging players

• Wemos / LilyGo: Shenzhen-based ESP32 module and dev-board maker. Directly competes with Elecrow's ESP32 dev boards, LoRa modules, and Meshtastic-compatible ThinkNode line on price.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elecrow1
• GitHubgithub.com/Elecrow-RD
• YouTubeyoutube.com/elecrow
• Facebookfacebook.com/elecrow.openhardware
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shenzhen-yikenuo-technology-development-company-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/elecrow_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Elecrow