Sparkle Labs
Sparkle Labs is a New York-based, founder-owned educational electronics company designing and selling hands-on learning kits (Discover Electronics, Discover Arduino, Papertronics crafts) direct-to-consumer for K-12 schools, universities, hobbyists, and makers, supplemented by educator professional development workshops.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sparkle Labs does
Sparkle Labs is a New York City-based, founder-owned educational electronics company founded in 2005 by Amy Parness and Ariel Churi after graduating from NYU's Interactive Telecommunication Program. The company designs and sells approachable electronics learning kits and accessories direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce storefront. Its flagship Discover Electronics kit (130+ parts, 16 guided projects, $54.99) and Discover Arduino bundle ($81.99) form the core product line, supplemented by Papertronics craft kits (Lunar Modules, Blacklight Skull), individual components (Arduino UNO, breadboards, multimeters, LED buttons), and specialty add-ons (SunMod solar kit, Water Level Detector, Wattmeter). Each kit pairs physical hardware with step-by-step illustrated manuals and online video lessons, with eco-friendly paper-pulp packaging used as a brand differentiator.
The company serves K-12 schools, universities, vocational schools, artists, engineers, hobbyists, and individual makers. Revenue is generated through two streams: one-time hardware sales ranging from $6.99 to $81.99 per unit, and quote-based professional development workshops for educators covering climate standards, electronics, and programming aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Sparkle Labs also pursues open-source community projects, most notably the Little Free Solar Library — a solar-powered, offline digital library device broadcasting local Wi-Fi content, released in 2023 with ongoing development through 2025.
Sparkle Labs operates with a 1-10 person team from New York, ships globally through its own website, and remains independent with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional ownership. Distribution is entirely DTC; go-to-market relies on content marketing via the company's journal and learn sections, Instagram, and direct email/phone outreach for professional development inquiries. Notable brand assets include founders' involvement with Make Magazine, a MoMA exhibit (B.U.T.T.O.N.), and active engagement with the open-source hardware community (HOPE XV conference, Adafruit and Raspberry Pi integrations).
Sparkle Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sparkle Labs
- Legal name
- Sparkle Labs
- Website
- https://sparklelabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sparkle Labs is a New York-based, founder-owned educational electronics company designing and selling hands-on learning kits (Discover Electronics, Discover Arduino, Papertronics crafts) direct-to-consumer for K-12 schools, universities, hobbyists, and makers, supplemented by educator professional development workshops.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sparkle Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Electronics
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Teacher Training & Curriculum Providers (Robotics/Maker Education) (EDAMADAM), DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN)
Keywords
Where Sparkle Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sparkle Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electronics Kits Sales: One-time sale of educational electronics kits and accessories through e-commerce. Products include Discover Electronics, Discover Arduino, Lunar Modules, and various component kits.
- Professional Development Services: Educator training sessions in climate standards, electronics, and programming using Next Generation Science Standards. Custom curriculum development sessions for schools and districts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LED Buttons - $19.99 per pack of 25 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solderless Breadboard - $6.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Multimeter - $12.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lunar Modules - $14.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Water Level Detector Kit - $15.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Arduino UNO - $29.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Discover Arduino Kit - $81.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Discover Electronics - $54.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wattmeter - $18.00 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Sparkle Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sparkle Labs designs, manufactures, and sells approachable educational electronics kits and papertronics craft products (such as Discover Electronics, Discover Arduino, SunMod, Wattmeter, Lunar Modules, Blacklight Skull, and component accessories) for K-12 schools, universities, hobbyists, artists, and makers. The company also develops open-source hardware projects such as the Little Free Solar Library and delivers professional development workshops for educators on climate standards, electronics, and programming aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
Product overview
Sparkle Labs is an educational electronics company offering physical electronics kits and components for K-12 schools, universities, artists, hobbyists, and makers. The flagship product is the Discover Electronics kit ($54.99), a comprehensive DIY circuit-building kit with 130+ parts and 16 projects. The product line is organized around learning paths: core electronics kits (Discover Electronics, Discover Arduino bundle at $81.99) teach fundamental concepts, while add-on modules extend functionality (SunMod solar addon, Water Level Detector, Wattmeter, Multimeter). The company also offers Papertronics craft kits (Lunar Modules, Blacklight Skull) combining art and basic electronics. Individual components include Arduino UNO ($29), LED Buttons, Solderless Breadboard, and Multimeter. The company provides professional development workshops for educators on climate standards, electronics, and programming using Next Generation Science Standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Discover Electronics DIY electronics learning kit with 130+ parts (LEDs, sensors, diodes, potentiometers, speaker) covering concepts of resistance, capacitance, voltage, current, breadboards, and circuit building. Includes step-by-step illustrated manual and online video lessons guiding through 16 projects. Eco-packaged with paper pulp tray, no plastic boxes. Targeted at K-12 schools, universities, hobbyists, and makers aged 10+.
- Discover Arduino Comprehensive Arduino starter kit combining Discover Electronics components (10 colored LEDs, sensors, diodes, potentiometers, speaker) with Arduino Rev 3, USB cable, breadboard, and the Sparkle Labs Arduino Manual. Designed for learning programming and electronics together.
- Arduino UNO ATmega328P-based microcontroller board with 14 digital I/O pins (6 PWM), 6 analog inputs, 16 MHz ceramic resonator, USB connection, power jack, and ICSP header. The reference model for the Arduino platform, sold standalone.
- SunMod Solar power addon kit that converts AA or AAA-powered devices (iPod speakers, computer mouse, TV remotes, toys) to solar-powered operation. Includes flexible 4.8V solar cell with soldered metal connectors, double-sided tape, and charge storage circuit. NiMH batteries not included.
- Water Level Detector Kit Single-unit electronic kit for learning about water level detection sensors and basic electronics.
- Lunar Modules Papertronics night-light kit featuring three space-themed paper toys (Spaceboy, Alien Girl, Tabula Rasa blank for custom design) with paper electronic circuits. Pre-cut with glue dots for fast assembly. Teaches polarity, circuit diagrams, and switches. Printed with soy inks on recycled paper.
- Blacklight Skull Papertronics UV-reactive skull craft kit for Day of the Dead / Dia de Muertos decoration. Includes 2 paper skulls, 2 UV LEDs, 2 resistors, 2 batteries, decorating stencil, and instructions. No tape or glue needed; measures 10" x 10" x 0.5". Also available in packs of 30.
- Wattmeter Device for measuring energy costs of devices and appliances. Helps users understand power consumption of electronic equipment. Includes instructions.
- LED Buttons LED buttons with bypassable 100-ohm resistor for electronic textile projects. Available in Aqua, White, and Pink LED colors. Sold in packs of 25.
- Solderless Breadboard Transparent see-through breadboard with 830 tie points, measuring 2.2" x 7" (5.5 cm x 17 cm). Removable power strips reduce width to 1.4". Multiple boards can snap together with included foam tape. Available in retro white or transparent.
- Multimeter Basic hobby-electronics multimeter measuring voltage, current, resistance, conductivity, diodes, and transistors. Includes Sparkle Labs quick start guide and battery.
- Professional Development Workshops for Educators Custom working sessions for educators covering climate standards, electronics, and programming, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Sparkle Labs co-creates actionable curriculum with educators that can be deployed immediately in classrooms. Pricing is quote-based and outreach is via phone (212-777-8051) and email ([email protected]).
Companies that use Sparkle Labs
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sparkle Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sparkle Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Make MagazineminorFounders were involved with early issues of Make Magazine, which inspired the creation of the Discover Electronics kit. Their recognition of the need for educational tools for makers led to Sparkle Labs' founding.
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)minorB.U.T.T.O.N project - giant arcade controllers created as an exhibit at MoMA in NYC, demonstrating creative electronics applications.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Sparkle Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Make: Community (Maker Media): Media and community platform behind Make Magazine and Maker Faire that originally inspired Sparkle Labs' founders; broader incumbent in the maker-education category that Sparkle Labs sells into.
Direct peers
- SparkFun Electronics: Boulder-based seller of DIY electronics kits, components, and educational boards targeting makers, students, and educators; directly comparable on product category (Arduino-compatible kits, sensors, breadboards) and customer overlap with Sparkle Labs' K-12 and hobbyist base.
- Adafruit Industries: NYC-based open-source hardware company selling electronics kits, components, and learning resources; Sparkle Labs' Little Free Solar Library explicitly uses Adafruit parts (Metro ESP32-S3, USB/solar charger), making Adafruit both a supplier and the most direct catalog peer.
- Arduino: Open-source microcontroller platform whose Arduino UNO Sparkle Labs resells alongside its Discover Arduino bundle; same hardware ecosystem, same educational use cases, and same maker community.
- Seeed Studio: Shenzhen-based manufacturer of open-source hardware and STEM education kits (Grove, micro:bit accessories); comparable as a kit-and-component vendor targeting makers and educators globally.
- Pimoroni: UK-based maker of electronics kits and accessories (Picade, Enviro, Raspberry Pi accessories); similar boutique educational positioning and overlapping customer segments.
- DFRobot: Shanghai-based open-source hardware provider with a STEM education line (Boson, Gravity, micro:bit kits); direct comparability on educational kits, sensors, and curriculum content for K-12.
- Kano Computing: Build-it-yourself computer and coding kits for kids and classrooms; comparable DIY hardware + curriculum model aimed at K-12 STEM education.
- littleBits (Sphero): Snap-together electronics learning kits widely adopted in K-12 STEAM curricula; direct competition in the hands-on electronics education category Sparkle Labs serves.
Emerging players
- Tinkercad (Autodesk): Browser-based 3D design and electronics simulation tool used in classrooms; an adjacent emerging player addressing the same STEM-learning need through digital rather than physical kits.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sparkle Labs social profiles
Digital presenceSparkle Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sparkle Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sparkle Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sparkle 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 Sparkle Labs
What does Sparkle Labs do?
Sparkle Labs designs, manufactures, and sells approachable educational electronics kits and papertronics craft products (such as Discover Electronics, Discover Arduino, SunMod, Wattmeter, Lunar Modules, Blacklight Skull, and component accessories) for K-12 schools, universities, hobbyists, artists, and makers. The company also develops open-source hardware projects such as the Little Free Solar Library and delivers professional development workshops for educators on climate standards, electronics, and programming aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
Is Sparkle Labs a public or private company?
Sparkle Labs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sparkle Labs founded?
Sparkle Labs was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sparkle Labs based?
Sparkle Labs is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sparkle Labs make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Electronics Kits Sales are the primary driver. The others are professional Development Services.
Who are Sparkle Labs's main competitors?
Make: Community (Maker Media) is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are SparkFun Electronics, Adafruit Industries, Arduino, Seeed Studio, Pimoroni, DFRobot, Kano Computing and littleBits (Sphero). Tinkercad (Autodesk) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sparkle Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sparkle Labs.
What industry is Sparkle Labs in?
Sparkle Labs's product category is Educational Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAN, Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused), with a secondary code of EDAEAIAC, Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces). Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3670.