Artec
Artec Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer (founded 1960) of educational toys, STEM/robotics kits, programming platforms, stationery, and medical devices, serving Japanese kindergartens, K-12 schools, corporate clients, and consumers via dedicated B2B sales divisions and a distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersYao, Japan
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Artec does
Artec Co., Ltd. (株式会社アーテック) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer founded in 1960 and headquartered in Yao, Osaka, with 251-500 employees and a Tokyo branch office. The company produces and sells educational toys, teaching materials, STEM/robotics kits, ICT classroom accessories, stationery, craft supplies, disaster prevention goods, and Class I-IV medical devices under proprietary brands including ArtecRobo (and ArtecRobo 2.0), ArtecLinks, ArtecIntelligence, Artec Block, Miratoy, and the Studuino robotics board family. Underlying technology spans Arduino-compatible robotics controllers, programming education software platforms, and generative AI-driven educational content (Artec Intelligence, launched in 2026) targeting the Japanese GIGA School Initiative and post-GIGA curriculum cycles.
Artec serves kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools, vocational schools, tutoring centers, corporate CSR clients, and individual consumers across Japan through dedicated B2B sales divisions (Kindergarten/Education, Art Techno, Corporate), a regional office network (Osaka HQ and Tokyo branch), and a wholesaler/distributor layer. The company also operates OEM/custom imprinting services, hosts the Universal Robotics Challenge, sells CSR robot programming workshops at 300,000 JPY per session, and participates in D2C online exhibitions such as the Online Stationery Girls Fair. In 2021 it obtained advanced medical device distribution licenses in both Osaka and Tokyo, and in 2026 was selected for Japan's METI "New World-Cutting Toy Industry Companies 20" in the Global Expansion category, signaling intent to scale internationally beyond its current Japan-only footprint.
Artec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Artec
- Legal name
- 株式会社アーテック (Artec Co., Ltd.)
- Website
- https://artec-kk.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Artec Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer (founded 1960) of educational toys, STEM/robotics kits, programming platforms, stationery, and medical devices, serving Japanese kindergartens, K-12 schools, corporate clients, and consumers via dedicated B2B sales divisions and a distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Artec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Toys and Teaching Materials
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993), Stationery Product Manufacturing (322230), Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing (33994), Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers (45941), Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Retailers (4594)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instructional Equipment & Classroom Tools (Whiteboards, Lab Kits, Manipulatives) (EDAEAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts, Music & Performance Equipment (Instruments, Art Supplies, Stage/Lighting Basics) (EDAEAIAH), School Office & Administrative Supplies/Equipment (Copiers, Mailroom, Office Furniture) (EDAEAIAI), Kids Crafts & Educational Craft Kits Retail (CRALACAG), Stationery & Office Paper Products (notebooks, pads, forms) (IMAMAHAG), Office, Stationery & Craft Supplies DTC (CRAFACAL)
Keywords
Where Artec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yao
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Artec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Educational Toys and Materials Sales: Artec manufactures and sells educational toys, teaching materials, and craft supplies to kindergartens, schools, and educational institutions across Japan.
- ICT and Robotics Products: Sale of ICT-related educational products including touch pens, keyboard covers, and educational robotics kits to schools and institutions.
- Stationery and Novelty Products: Sale of stationery, custom imprinted items (name printing), calendars, and novelty goods through retailers and direct B2B orders.
- OEM and Custom Manufacturing: OEM/custom manufacturing services for corporate clients including custom imprinted products, event merchandise, and bespoke educational materials.
- CSR Robot Programming Workshops: Corporate CSR robot programming workshop services, priced at 300,000 JPY per session, including instructor dispatch and robot lending.
- Medical Device Sales: Sales of medical devices (oxygen generators) under licensed medical device distribution permits in Osaka and Tokyo.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | CSR Robot Programming Workshop: 300,000 JPY per session |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Artec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Artec manufactures and sells educational toys, teaching materials, robotics kits, programming platforms (Artec Intelligence, ArtecLinks, ArtecRobo), ICT tools, stationery, and craft supplies. The company primarily serves Japanese kindergartens, elementary schools, secondary schools, and corporate clients through dedicated B2B sales divisions and regional offices. It also provides OEM/custom manufacturing services and CSR robot programming workshops.
Product overview
Artec is a Japanese manufacturer of educational materials, toys, and stationery products. The company operates a multi-product portfolio consisting of core educational technology products (Artec Intelligence AI programming platform, Artec Links programming education system, Artec Robo 2.0 robot kits with Studuino:bit), educational construction toys (Artec Block, Miratoy sub-brand), general stationery and craft products, ICT educational goods, disaster prevention products, and healthcare/medical devices. The company serves educational institutions from kindergarten through university, corporate clients for CSR activities, and general consumers. Artec also provides custom printing services and OEM/OEM manufacturing for various products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ArtecRobo: Educational robotics kit and programming platform for learning robotics and coding.
- ArtecRobo2.0
- ArtecLinks
- ArtecIntelligence
- Miratoy (ミラトイ)
- Studuino
- Studuino Lite
- Studuino mini
Products and services
- Artec Intelligence (アーテックインテリジェンス) AI-powered programming educational content using generative AI, designed to provide interactive programming learning experiences for students in classroom environments.
- ArtecLinks (アーテックリンクス) Programming education platform for schools and educational institutions, providing tools and curriculum for teaching programming to students.
- ArtecRobo 2.0 (アーテックロボ2.0) Educational robotics kit (Studuino:bit-compatible) that enables students to learn robotics and programming through hands-on robot building and coding activities.
- Artec Block (アーテックブロック) Educational block system for children to build various structures, supporting STEM education and creative play-based learning.
- Miratoy (ミラトイ) Educational toy series from a teaching-materials manufacturer, focused on learning through play for young children.
- Studuino Software Family Software lineup including Studuino Lite, Wireless Studuino, Studuino mini, and PGCon for programming educational robots and kits.
- CSR Robot Programming Workshop Service Corporate CSR service offering 3-hour robot programming workshops (300,000 JPY per session) including instructor dispatch and robot lending; participants also receive annual Universal Robotics Challenge gold sponsorship benefits.
- OEM and Custom Imprinted Manufacturing OEM and custom imprinted merchandise services for corporate clients, including calendars, T-shirts, stationery, novelty items, and bespoke educational materials.
- Medical Device Sales (Oxygen Generators) Sales of medical devices such as oxygen generators under Advanced Management Medical Device Sales/Leasing licenses held in Osaka and Tokyo.
Companies that use Artec
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Artec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
Artec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Universal Robotics Challenge (URC)minorURC is an international robotics competition held annually. Corporate clients who purchase Artec's CSR robot programming workshop service (300,000 JPY/session) receive annual gold sponsorship, including logo display on posters, website, and pamphlets.
- Online文具女子博 (Online Stationery Girls Fair)minorArtec participates as a vendor in the Online Stationery Girls Fair, selling stationery, masking tape, stamps, and novelty products through the virtual exhibition platform.
- 関西教育ICT展 (Kansai Education ICT Exhibition)minorArtec exhibits at the annual Kansai Education ICT Exhibition, showcasing ICT products including touch pens, keyboard cases, and AI-powered Artec Intelligence programming content to educators from the Kansai region.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Artec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- VEX Robotics: Educational robotics kits and competitions widely adopted in K-12 STEM programs. Comparable to ArtecRobo kits and Artec's hosting of the Universal Robotics Challenge.
- Fischertechnik: German manufacturer of STEM construction kits for schools. Direct comparable to Artec's Artec Block and ArtecRobo construction-based robotics kits in the educational STEM category.
- Lego Education: Global STEM/robotics construction-kit brand used in K-12 classrooms. Directly comparable to Artec's ArtecRobo kits, Studuino boards, and Artec Block system in the educational robotics category.
- Makeblock: Educational robotics and STEM coding platform (mBot, Codey Rocky) sold globally to schools. Highly comparable to Artec's ArtecRobo + ArtecLinks programming education offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Kokuyo: Major Japanese stationery, office supplies, and educational materials manufacturer. Comparable to Artec's stationery, novelty, and educational supplies business lines.
- Bandai Namco Holdings: Large Japanese toy and entertainment conglomerate with educational toy and character product lines. Adjacent competitor in the Japanese educational toy retail channel.
- Gakken Holdings: Major Japanese publisher of educational books, learning materials, and educational toys for kindergartens through high schools. A broad incumbent whose K-12 educational materials portfolio competes with Artec's core offerings in Japan.
- Takara Tomy: Large Japanese toy and educational product manufacturer with strong K-12 retail and school-channel presence. Comparable as a broad Japanese incumbent in the educational toys and STEM kits category.
- Benesse Corporation: Major Japanese education and publishing group with school-district and tutoring-channel products. Comparable as a Japanese incumbent with K-12 institutional sales motion overlapping Artec's education divisions.
Emerging players
- Wonder Workshop: U.S.-based educational robotics company (Dash, Dot, Cue) targeting K-12 STEM classrooms. Emerging player with overlapping programming/robotics curriculum content vs. ArtecLinks and ArtecRobo.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Artec social profiles
Digital presenceArtec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Artec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Artec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Artec 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 Artec
What does Artec do?
Artec manufactures and sells educational toys, teaching materials, robotics kits, programming platforms (Artec Intelligence, ArtecLinks, ArtecRobo), ICT tools, stationery, and craft supplies. The company primarily serves Japanese kindergartens, elementary schools, secondary schools, and corporate clients through dedicated B2B sales divisions and regional offices. It also provides OEM/custom manufacturing services and CSR robot programming workshops.
Is Artec a public or private company?
Artec is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Artec founded?
Artec was founded in 1960. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Artec based?
Artec is headquartered in Yao, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Artec make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Educational Toys and Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are ICT and Robotics Products, stationery and Novelty Products, OEM and Custom Manufacturing, CSR Robot Programming Workshops and medical Device Sales.
Who are Artec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are VEX Robotics, Fischertechnik, Lego Education and Makeblock. Broad incumbents are Kokuyo, Bandai Namco Holdings, Gakken Holdings, Takara Tomy and Benesse Corporation. Wonder Workshop is listed as an emerging player.
Does Artec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Artec.
What industry is Artec in?
Artec's product category is Educational Toys and Teaching Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAB, Instructional Equipment & Classroom Tools (Whiteboards, Lab Kits, Manipulatives), with a secondary code of EDAEAIAH, Arts, Music & Performance Equipment (Instruments, Art Supplies, Stage/Lighting Basics). Its NAICS code is 33993 and its SIC code is 3944.