Skaarhoj
SKAARHOJ designs and manufactures universal tactile broadcast control panels — hardware controllers with embedded Linux software — that unify multi-brand equipment control for live TV, PTZ camera, audio, and AV production customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSøborg, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Skaarhoj does
SKAARHOJ ApS is a Danish designer and manufacturer of universal tactile control panels for the broadcast and live production industry. Founded in 2012 by Kasper Skårhøj and headquartered in Søborg, Denmark, with a US sales entity (SKAARHOJ Inc) in Burbank, California, the company sells hardware controllers that unify control of PTZ cameras, vision mixers, routers, audio boards, recorders, lighting, and other production devices from over 50 manufacturers including Blackmagic Design, Sony, Panasonic, Canon, BirdDog, Grass Valley, Q-SYS, and vMix.
The company's core technology is the Blue Pill platform — a proprietary embedded Linux operating system (skaarOS) built into every controller, enabling plug-and-play device integration, web-based configuration via the Reactor UI, and cross-device automation without requiring a separate computer. The hardware portfolio spans compact panels (Quick Bar, PTZ Fly), mid-range controllers (PTZ Extreme, Air Fly, Master Key 48), rack-mounted units (Rack Pro/Fly Series, Rack Fusion Live), and large modular surfaces (Mega Panel). The software stack extends via the open Raw Panel TCP API, which has been adopted by OEMs including Vizrt, LiveU, Evertz, Utah Scientific, Riedel, and Crestron for third-party integration.
SKAARHOJ operates a B2B-only direct-to-customer model with no consumer sales, distributing through its own webshop (factory-direct from Denmark), direct purchase orders, a global reseller network, and AV system integrators. Pricing is on ExWorks Denmark terms with perpetual hardware licenses and optional software licenses for advanced integrations. The company is privately held and founder-controlled with no disclosed institutional investment, serving customers across broadcast television (ITN, ITV, Channel 4, NEP), reality TV production (Verve Film), podcast studios (OnPod Studios), and AV integration projects globally.
Skaarhoj firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Skaarhoj
- Legal name
- SKAARHOJ ApS
- Website
- https://skaarhoj.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SKAARHOJ designs and manufactures universal tactile broadcast control panels — hardware controllers with embedded Linux software — that unify multi-brand equipment control for live TV, PTZ camera, audio, and AV production customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Skaarhoj industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Broadcast Control Hardware
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- KVM Switches & Peripheral Sharing Devices (HDACAHAI)
Keywords
Where Skaarhoj is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Søborg
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Skaarhoj business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Panel Sales: SKAARHOJ's primary revenue stream is the sale of physical control panels — from compact USB/Ethernet controllers to large modular broadcast surfaces. Products are sold directly via the SKAARHOJ webshop (factory-direct delivery) and through Purchase Orders to sales. They also sell through resellers and system integrators globally. Pricing is ExWorks Denmark; US/Canada sales are handled by SKAARHOJ Inc in California.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Direct Webshop Purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Purchase Order to SKAARHOJ |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Reseller / System Integrator Purchase |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Skaarhoj product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SKAARHOJ designs and manufactures universal, tactile broadcast control panels — physical hardware controllers with an embedded Linux platform (Blue Pill / skaarOS) that natively integrates with 50+ broadcast and AV brands, including PTZ cameras, vision mixers, routers, audio gear, and replay systems. Every panel runs the Reactor web-based configuration UI on-device, requiring no separate computer. The company also sells the Blue Pill Server (a software-defined controller) and a portfolio of Ethernet protocol-converter accessories, plus software licenses that bridge third-party controllers (Stream Deck, Riedel SmartPanel, X-keys, touch panels, generic USB HID) into the SKAARHOJ ecosystem via the open Raw Panel API.
Product overview
SKAARHOJ designs and manufactures universal broadcast control panels and related software for live production. The product portfolio includes hardware controllers ranging from compact button panels (Quick Bar, Mini Fly) to large modular surfaces (Mega Panel, Master Key 48) with various form factors including rack-mounted units (Rack Pro Series, Rack Fly Series, Rack Fusion Live). Core hardware categories include: PTZ camera controllers (PTZ Extreme, PTZ Pro, PTZ View, PTZ Fly), vision mixing surfaces (Air Fly Pro, Air Fly, T-Block), camera shading/RCP controllers (RCP Pro, Color Fly), router control panels (Rack Pro, Rack Fly), audio fader boards (Wave Board, Wave Board Mini), replay control (Time Spin), and tally systems (Smart Tally, Tally Link). Accessory converters (ETH-GPI Link, ETH-SDI Link, ETH-B4 Link) bridge IP networks with external equipment. The software ecosystem centers on Blue Pill (skaarOS Linux platform embedded in all hardware), Reactor (web-based panel management UI), Raw Panel API (TCP/IP protocol for custom integrations), and software licenses for third-party device integrations. SKAARHOJ sells direct and through resellers, with manufacturing in Denmark and offices in Denmark and California.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Blue Pill: Linux platform built into SKAARHOJ panels, comprising applications including Reactor and device cores for connecting with broadcast devices
- Reactor
- Raw Panel
- skaarOS
- UniSketch
Products and services
- PTZ Extreme Advanced PTZ camera controller with precision joystick, encoders, and OLED displays for professional robotic camera control across multiple broadcast and AV brands.
- PTZ Pro Professional PTZ camera controller designed for robotic cameras with support for multiple PTZ protocols and presets.
- PTZ View PTZ camera controller with integrated video monitoring for viewing camera feeds while operating robotic cameras.
- PTZ Fly Compact PTZ camera controller with joystick control for robotic camera operation in portable configurations.
- Frame Shot Pro Professional camera framing controller with graphical preset management for creating and recalling camera positions.
- Frame Shot Plus Camera framing controller with preset capabilities for recalling camera positions and shots.
- Mega Panel Large modular control surface that mechanically combines multiple SKAARHOJ panels into a single unified broadcast control surface.
- Master Key One Single-section broadcast control panel for ATEM switcher control with customizable button layout.
- Master Key 48 48-button modular control panel for extended switcher control with customizable button assignments.
- Air Fly Pro Professional vision mixing surface with T-bar, buttons, and encoders for ATEM switcher control using NKK buttons.
- Air Fly Compact vision mixing controller for ATEM, TriCaster, or vMix switchers.
- T-Block Modular transition control block with T-bar and transport controls for building custom switcher surfaces.
- Rack Fusion Live Rack-mounted vision mixing surface combining switcher control with PTZ camera control in a unified unit.
- Color Fly Camera shading and color correction controller for RCP (Remote Control Panel) applications with precision encoders and displays.
- RCP Pro Professional remote camera control panel for camera shading with motorized faders, joysticks, and comprehensive camera parameter control.
- Rack Pro Series Rack-mounted router control panels (Pro 1, Pro 2, Pro 3) for controlling routing matrices and signal distribution.
- Rack Fly Series Rack-mounted flyable router control panels (Rack Fly Uno, Duo, Trio) for portable routing control.
- Quick Bar Compact button panel with customizable controls for quick access to frequently used functions in broadcast setups.
- Wave Board Audio fader board with motorized faders for audio mixing control, integrated with ATEM or vMix environments.
- Wave Board Mini Compact audio fader board for basic audio mixing control in smaller production setups.
- Time Spin Replay control surface with jog/shuttle wheel for instant replay operations in sports production.
- Smart Tally Intelligent tally light system with configurable indicators for on-air status from multiple sources.
- Tally Link Tally converter for Ethernet-based tally distribution to external tally systems.
- Blue Pill Server Standalone server-grade Blue Pill product that acts as the central brain of a control system, coordinating multiple devices across brands and enabling salvos, macros, and scenes.
- ETH-GPI Link Ethernet to GPIO converter for bridging SKAARHOJ controllers with external equipment via general-purpose inputs/outputs.
- ETH-SDI Link Ethernet to SDI converter enabling Blackmagic camera control via ATEM without dedicated SDI infrastructure.
- ETH-B4 Link Ethernet to B4 lens protocol converter for controlling broadcast lenses on cinema cameras.
- ETH-LANC Link Ethernet to LANC protocol converter for Sony camera control via LAN port.
- TCP Link for ATEM Software license enabling TCP/IP control of Blackmagic ATEM switchers.
- TCP Link (Generic) Generic TCP communication protocol license for device control within the SKAARHOJ ecosystem.
- Stream Deck License Software license enabling Stream Deck device integration with the Blue Pill ecosystem via the xpanel-streamdeck package.
- Touch Panel License Software license for touch panel integration via the xpanel-touch package.
- X-Keys License Software license for X-keys device integration via the xpanel-xkeys package.
- Riedel SmartPanel License Software license for Riedel SmartPanel integration via the xpanel-riedelsmartpanel application.
Quantifiable outcome
- On air in minutes rather than hours with plug-and-play configurations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Skaarhoj
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Skaarhoj technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration41 records
Feature10 records
Skaarhoj partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- Blackmagic DesigncoreSKAARHOJ maintains deep integration with Blackmagic Design products including ATEM switchers, Blackmagic cameras (controlled via ATEM or REST API), SmartScope, VideoHub routers, HyperDeck recorders, and the Blackmagic Constellation 4K switcher. Most SKAARHOJ panels ship with plug-and-play Blackmagic configurations.
- Panasonic CamerascoreSKAARHOJ provides comprehensive PTZ camera control for Panasonic's full range including AW-UE150, AG-CX350, AU-EVA1, and Panasonic KAIROS platform integration. Multiple SKAARHOJ products (PTZ Pro, PTZ Fly, Rack Fusion Live) include dedicated Panasonic configurations.
- SonycoreSKAARHOJ panels integrate with Sony PTZ cameras (BRC series, SRG series), broadcast cameras (FX9, FX6, ILME-FR7), and mirrorless cameras (FX3, FX2, A7 IV). Support for Sony LANC protocol and RCP-style control through the Color Fly and RCP Pro product lines.
- CanoncoreSKAARHOJ supports Canon PTZ cameras (CR-N300, CR-N500) and Canon-XC protocol cameras (EOS C500, EOS C300) for integrated control through SKAARHOJ PTZ controllers.
- BirdDogcoreSKAARHOJ provides plug-and-play integration with BirdDog's full PTZ camera lineup including P100, P200, and P4K models. Dedicated configurations available for multiple SKAARHOJ panel products.
- Grass ValleycoreSKAARHOJ maintains integration with Grass Valley AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform) as part of their ecosystem strategy, enabling interoperability with Grass Valley's broadcast infrastructure.
- Q-SYSnotableSKAARHOJ has integrated with Q-SYS audio/DSP platform. Q-SYS is also listed as a brand that has integrated SKAARHOJ controllers using the Raw Panel protocol into their ecosystem.
- vMixcoreSKAARHOJ provides dedicated vMix switching and tally configurations across multiple controller products. Air Fly vMix and other vMix-specific products offer plug-and-play integration with vMix video production software.
- VizrtnotableVizrt has integrated SKAARHOJ controllers using the Raw Panel protocol into their ecosystem, enabling Vizrt users to add tactile SKAARHOJ control surfaces to their graphics and video workflows.
- Riedel (SmartPanel)notableSKAARHOJ offers an xpanel-riedelsmartpanel application allowing Riedel SmartPanels to connect using the Raw Panel protocol, enabling Riedel users to incorporate SKAARHOJ panel functionality within the Riedel ecosystem.
- CrestronnotableSKAARHOJ's Raw Panel Dummies application can generate Crestron USP files for any SKAARHOJ panel, enabling seamless integration into Crestron AV control systems.
- IAMT (International Association of Media Technology)notableSKAARHOJ is a member of IAMT, which connects technology innovators, buyers, and industry leaders shaping the future of broadcast and media. This membership positions SKAARHOJ within the broader industry ecosystem.
Scale indicators2 records
Skaarhoj competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elgato (Corsair): Makes the Stream Deck line of customizable hardware control surfaces used by streamers, podcasters, and small broadcast operators. Directly competes with SKAARHOJ in the lower-end, content-creator control tier (e.g., SKAARHOJ Quick Bar/Quick Pad vs. Stream Deck).
- JLCooper Electronics: Long-standing US manufacturer of professional broadcast and AV control surfaces, including router panels, transport controls, and automation controllers. Closest direct peer in the traditional broadcast control-panel category.
- Loupedeck (Logitech): Customizable tactile consoles for photo, video, and live-editing workflows. Overlaps with SKAARHOJ in the content-creator / live-editing space and competes for the same prosumer-and-up customer.
Emerging players
- Bitfocus Companion: Open-source software-based control platform widely used as a low-cost, software-only alternative to hardware control panels. Competes with SKAARHOJ on multi-device orchestration, especially with Stream Deck-style front ends.
- X-keys (P.I. Engineering): Programmable input devices and keypads that can be bridged into broadcast workflows. SKAARHOJ itself supports X-keys via Raw Panel, indicating functional overlap at the lower-cost programmable input tier.
- Contour Design: Manufacturer of specialized multimedia and broadcast control surfaces (e.g., Shuttle Pro, Buzz). Adjacent form factor to SKAARHOJ's compact controllers in audio/video editing and presentation control.
Broad incumbents
- Blackmagic Design: Sells ATEM switchers and competing control hardware, and is one of SKAARHOJ's deepest integration partners. The ATEM Camera Control Panel and Micro Panel are direct substitutes for some Air Fly / Master Key SKUs.
- Ross Video: Supplies the DashBoard control platform and bundled control hardware for Carbonite switchers and PivotCam PTZ cameras. A bundled incumbent competing for the same broadcast control budgets as SKAARHOJ.
- Vizrt (NewTek): Owns NewTek TriCaster — for which SKAARHOJ has native control — and offers its own TriCaster control surfaces as part of a broader graphics/IP broadcast portfolio. Encroaches on SKAARHOJ's tier-1 broadcast territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Skaarhoj social profiles
Digital presenceSkaarhoj financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Skaarhoj leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Skaarhoj funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Skaarhoj 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 Skaarhoj
What does Skaarhoj do?
SKAARHOJ designs and manufactures universal, tactile broadcast control panels — physical hardware controllers with an embedded Linux platform (Blue Pill / skaarOS) that natively integrates with 50+ broadcast and AV brands, including PTZ cameras, vision mixers, routers, audio gear, and replay systems. Every panel runs the Reactor web-based configuration UI on-device, requiring no separate computer. The company also sells the Blue Pill Server (a software-defined controller) and a portfolio of Ethernet protocol-converter accessories, plus software licenses that bridge third-party controllers (Stream Deck, Riedel SmartPanel, X-keys, touch panels, generic USB HID) into the SKAARHOJ ecosystem via the open Raw Panel API.
Is Skaarhoj a public or private company?
Skaarhoj is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Skaarhoj founded?
Skaarhoj was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Skaarhoj based?
Skaarhoj is headquartered in Søborg, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Skaarhoj make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Panel Sales.
Who are Skaarhoj's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elgato (Corsair), JLCooper Electronics and Loupedeck (Logitech). Emerging players are Bitfocus Companion, X-keys (P.I. Engineering) and Contour Design. Broad incumbents are Blackmagic Design, Ross Video and Vizrt (NewTek).
Does Skaarhoj have an API?
Yes. Raw Panel is SKAARHOJ's IP-based API and protocol for talking directly to hardware panels over TCP. It provides low-level access to buttons, encoders, faders, T-bars, joysticks, OLEDs and LCDs on SKAARHOJ controllers. Communication happens over TCP where panels act as servers and clients connect to receive button presses, encoder turns, fader moves and joystick changes as triggers, while sending back colors, text and graphics for displays and LEDs. Supports multiple message encodings: Human-readable ASCII (v1), JSON-based ASCII (v2), and Binary Protocol Buffers. Panels are self-describing using JSON and SVG for topology discovery. Also available as a cloud version for public internet communication. Documentation and tools available including Raw Panel Emulator, Panel Explorer, and open-source Go libraries on GitHub. Developer documentation is at github.com/SKAARHOJ/rawpanel-lib/releases.
What industry is Skaarhoj in?
Skaarhoj's product category is Broadcast Control Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGABAJ, Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration), with a secondary code of HDACAHAI, KVM Switches & Peripheral Sharing Devices. Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3823.