What ASCOT does

ASCOT GmbH is a privately held German electronics engineering services and FPGA prototyping company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Beverstedt, Lower Saxony. It specializes in the development and de-routing of highly integrated electronic circuits, offering a one-stop-shop spanning schematic design (Schaltplanerstellung), CAD layout, PCB manufacturing coordination, component assembly, boundary scan testing, and full system development including microcontroller and FPGA programming (Verilog, VHDL, AHDL) for 80C51, ARM, MIPS, and TriMedia architectures. The firm is technology-led by Managing Directors Andreas Schwederski and Heiko Rühlemann, with engineering staff holding Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science qualifications.

The company's core product is a modular FPGA Prototyping System based on Intel (Altera) Stratix III and Stratix IV 1517 modules, expandable via Module-Module Connectors into 2x2 through 5x5 configurations. The platform is complemented by peripheral modules (LED, Matrix, DRAM, DDR2, HSMC Adapter), measure adapters in 240120/240/120/60/40 pin configurations, and MayTec 20x20-based mounting frames. Additional proprietary tools include TestAndTrace (FPGA debugging) and I2cBird/SpiBird (I2C/SPI interface adapters with signed Windows and Linux drivers). Quality assurance leverages a multi-stage AOI, X-ray, and Göpel Boundary Scan test methodology enabled through ASCOT's Göpel GATE Program alliance.

ASCOT operates a project-based B2B services model with quote-based pricing and direct-sales engagement. It serves enterprise customers across semiconductors (Intel Mobile Communications, NXP Semiconductors, ST-Ericsson, Synopsys, Trident Microsystems), automotive (Hella), medical devices (Weinmann), industrial electronics (Phoenix Contact, SSV Software Systems), consumer electronics (Philips), lighting (OSRAM), security (SurepassID), and automation (AT Automation). The company has a small team (1-10 employees per firmographics), operates across 15+ countries, and offers 3-day express PCB manufacturing as a differentiated speed capability.

Name

ASCOT

Legal name

ASCOT GmbH

Website

https://ascot-gmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ASCOT GmbH is a German electronics engineering services firm offering FPGA prototyping, PCB design, manufacturing coordination, boundary scan testing, and system development to enterprise semiconductor, automotive, medical, and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

FPGA Prototyping Equipment

NAICS

Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418), Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing (334412), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

Printed Circuit Boards (3672), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Programmable Logic (FPGAs/CPLDs) (HDAHAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

System-Level, Multi-Physics & Package/PCB Co-Design (EDA) (HDAHAFAD), Compute & Acceleration ICs (CPU/GPU/AI/FPGA/ASIC) (HDAHABAC), PCB, Prototyping Boards & Etching Supplies Retail (CRACAKAF)

Keywords

• FPGA prototyping systems
• PCB design services
• Electronics manufacturing
• System development
• Boundary scan testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverstedt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering Services: Schaltplanerstellung (circuit design), CAD Layout, Boundary Scan Test, and System Development services billed project-based or hourly
2. PCB Manufacturing & Assembly: PCB manufacturing coordination and component assembly services from sample quantities to series production
3. FPGA Module Products: Sale of FPGA modules (StratixIV-1517, StratixIII-1517), peripheral modules, measure adapters, and mounting frames

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ASCOT GmbH designs, manufactures and sells modular FPGA prototyping systems based on Intel (Altera) Stratix III/IV technology, along with related peripheral modules, measurement adapters, module-module connectors and MayTec mounting frames. The company also delivers end-to-end electronics engineering services including PCB schematic and CAD layout design, PCB manufacturing coordination, component assembly, boundary scan testing, and full system development with microcontroller and FPGA programming for semiconductor, automotive, medical, and industrial customers.

Product overview

ASCOT GmbH is an electronic development services company founded in 1993, specializing in highly integrated electronic circuits. The company operates a platform-plus-modules architecture combining hardware prototyping products with engineering services. The core FPGA Prototyping System (featuring StratixIV-1517 and StratixIII-1517 modules) is a modular platform supported by peripheral modules (LED, Matrix, DRAM, DDR2, HSMC Adapter), measure adapters (240120, 240, 120, 60, 40), and module-module connectors (MMC series) all mountable on MayTec frames. Services include PCB design (schematic/Layout), manufacturing, assembly, boundary scan testing (Göpel partnership), and full system development. The product line also includes the TestAndTrace debugging tool and I2cBird programming interface.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TestAndTrace: A product offering in the company's prototyping portfolio.

Products and services

• FPGA Prototyping System Modular prototyping platform for FPGA-based system development, featuring exchangeable FPGA modules, peripheral modules, measure adapters, module-module connectors, and mounting frames for scalable configurations from 2x2 to 5x5 arrays. Targeted at semiconductor and electronics engineering teams developing FPGA-based products.
• StratixIV-1517 FPGA Module FPGA module based on Intel (Altera) Stratix IV technology, part of the modular FPGA Prototyping System, sold as a standalone module.
• StratixIII-1517 FPGA Module FPGA module based on Intel (Altera) Stratix III technology, predecessor to the Stratix IV module, sold as a standalone module within the modular prototyping system.
• TestAndTrace Testing and debugging tool for FPGA prototyping systems, used by engineers during FPGA prototype development and validation.
• I2cBird I2C debugging and programming tool with signed drivers for Windows 7/8/10 (32/64bit) and Linux support, used by engineers for I2C bus interfacing during FPGA and embedded development.
• Mounting Frames Mechanically stable mounting frames made from MayTec 20x20 4H profiles for organizing FPGA prototyping modules in configurations from 2x2 to 5x5, providing transportability and DC ground distribution.
• PCB Design Services (Schaltplan/Layout) Schematic creation and CAD layout services from single-sided to multi-layer PCBs using Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD PCB Designer, and EAGLE, delivered to electronics engineering teams.
• PCB Manufacturing Services PCB manufacturing coordination from prototype quantities to series production through German and Asian partners, with express services available in 3 business days.
• PCB Assembly Services Complete PCB assembly including soldering, mounting, and commissioning through selected contract manufacturers, offered for prototypes and small to large series.
• Boundary Scan Testing Boundary scan testing services using Göpel Elektronik equipment for prototype production testing, enabling customers to repeat tests in their own laboratories.
• System Development Complete system development services including hardware/software co-design, circuit design, PCB layout, microcontroller programming (80C51, ARM, MIPS, TriMedia), CPLD/FPGA programming (Verilog, VHDL, AHDL), and commissioning with documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-day express PCB manufacturing available
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Göpel ElektronikcoreTechnology or IntegrationAlliance partner and member of Göpel GATE Program. ASCOT uses Göpel boundary scan testing and X-ray equipment for multi-stage prototype testing. This partnership enables customers to repeat tests in their own laboratories.
• Würth ElektronikminorOthersListed as recommended PCB manufacturer partner on links page
• ILFA FeinstleitertechnikminorOthersListed as recommended PCB manufacturer partner on links page
• Heger GmbHminorOthersListed as recommended PCB manufacturer partner on links page

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• S2C: S2C is a direct competitor in FPGA prototyping platforms, offering modular, multi-FPGA prototyping systems with a library of daughter cards and reference designs — closely comparable to ASCOT's prototyping platform and module ecosystem.
• Aldec: Aldec provides FPGA prototyping hardware (HES) and verification tools, directly competing with ASCOT's prototyping modules and adjacent engineering services for semiconductor customers.
• Terasic: Terasic designs FPGA development boards and peripheral modules for Altera/Intel devices, overlapping with ASCOT's Stratix III/IV modules and HSMC-style peripherals, particularly for prototyping and evaluation use cases.
• Fidus Systems: Fidus is a North American FPGA design and PCB layout services specialist with a similar mix of FPGA prototyping, PCB design, and embedded development services, competing for the same semiconductor and aerospace customers.
• ProDesign Electronic: ProDesign is a German FPGA prototyping hardware vendor (proFPGA series) competing head-to-head with ASCOT's modular prototyping platform in European semiconductor accounts.

Broad incumbents

• Synopsys (HAPS): Synopsys HAPS is a leading FPGA-based prototyping system bundled with the broader Synopsys EDA flow; it competes head-on with ASCOT's modular platform in semiconductor customer design wins and is a benchmark for prototyping scope.
• Cadence (prototyping): Cadence offers FPGA prototyping and PCB/system-level design tools (Allegro, OrCAD) — the same EDA toolchains ASCOT uses for layout services — and competes with both ASCOT's prototyping products and its design services.
• Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics): Siemens EDA offers PCB design (Mentor Expedition, PADS) and FPGA-in-the-loop solutions, competing with ASCOT's PCB layout services and increasingly with prototyping as part of full-stack EDA offerings.

Emerging players

• Digilent: Digilent (a National Instruments brand) produces FPGA development boards and peripheral modules, intersecting with ASCOT's modular prototyping offering at the lower-complexity end of the market.

Others

• Göpel Elektronik: Göpel is ASCOT's strategic boundary-scan partner and a leading vendor of JTAG/boundary-scan test hardware — comparable in the test services dimension and a potential acquirer or deeper alliance partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ascot-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 ASCOT