One Drop Design
One Drop Design LLC designs, machines, and sells premium metal yo-yos from its Eugene, Oregon facility. Serving competitive players and collectors globally via its own store, specialty retailers, and contests, it is known for the proprietary Side Effects interchangeable axle system and in-house US manufacturing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersEugene, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What One Drop Design does
One Drop Design LLC is a privately held, bootstrapped yo-yo manufacturer founded in 2007 in Eugene, Oregon. The company designs, engineers, and machines high-end metal yo-yos entirely in-house using CNC equipment handling aluminum (including 7068 and 7075 alloys), titanium (6AI4V Grade 5), and brass. Its portfolio spans roughly 70 models over ~18 years, ranging from entry-level aluminum yo-yos at $49 to premium titanium models at $288, including signature, collaboration, blind-box, and limited-numbered releases. The company's flagship technical differentiator is the Side Effects interchangeable axle system, a registered brand identity that allows players to swap modular hubs across 35+ models to adjust weight, feel, and aesthetics.
The business model is hardware sales of physical yo-yos, distributed through three channels: a direct-to-consumer online store, a global network of specialty retailers (YoYoExpert, YoYoLoco, A2Z Science in the Americas; Mot Mot in Europe; Spingear and Yo-Yo Store Rewind in Asia), and direct sales at yo-yo contests including the World Yo-Yo Contest. Pricing is uniform one-time purchase per unit, with a Bitcoin-tied YOYOCOIN discount token serving as a novelty loyalty mechanism. The customer base is a long-tail of competitive and recreational yo-yo players, hobbyists, and collectors, primarily reached through a sponsored team of 21 professional players who produce content and host community clubs.
The company has no external funding, no parent organization, and no disclosed headcount or revenue figures. Strategic emphasis is on in-house US manufacturing, modular accessory ecosystem (Side Effects), and selective collaborations with adjacent brands (CLYW, Re-Logic/Terraria, Toxic Strings) and cultural figures. Adjacent product lines include the Trillium hand spinner, Zissou spin top, and the YOYOCOIN collectible.
One Drop Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- One Drop Design
- Legal name
- One Drop Design LLC
- Website
- https://onedropyoyos.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- One Drop Design LLC designs, machines, and sells premium metal yo-yos from its Eugene, Oregon facility. Serving competitive players and collectors globally via its own store, specialty retailers, and contests, it is known for the proprietary Side Effects interchangeable axle system and in-house US manufacturing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
One Drop Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Yo-Yo Manufacturing
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hobby & Model Kits Distribution (RC, Scale Models, Miniatures) (CRAOAMAD)
Keywords
Where One Drop Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Eugene
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
One Drop Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Yo-Yo Hardware Sales: One Drop's primary revenue stream is the design and sale of high-end metal and plastic yo-yos. Products range from entry-level models at $49 to premium titanium models at $288. Sales occur through the company's own online store, at yo-yo contests, and through a global network of specialty retailers. The company also offers non-yo-yo products including the Trillium hand spinner and Zissou spin top.
- YOYOCOIN Discount Token: YOYOCOIN is a physical machined coin that serves as a coupon for discounts on One Drop products. Its value is tied to Bitcoin price fluctuations. Coins are given away randomly in orders, at contests, and via social media promotions. They can be redeemed in person at the factory or contest booths, creating a secondary engagement and loyalty mechanism.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Vanguard - Entry-level aluminum yo-yo |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Benchmark Series 2014 - Mid-range Side Effect yo-yo |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gradient - Graeme Steller signature model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Citizen - Premium titanium yo-yo |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ultra State - Premium titanium responsive yo-yo |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Marquis - Blind box yo-yo |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Top Deck - JT Nickel signature model |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
One Drop Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
One Drop Design manufactures and sells high-end precision-machined yo-yos, hand spinners, and spin tops designed and produced entirely in-house at its Eugene, Oregon facility. Its product line spans 70+ yo-yo models across entry-level aluminum, signature professional, collaboration, and limited/collector editions, supported by its proprietary Side Effects interchangeable axle ecosystem. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales via the company's online store, global specialty retailers, and yo-yo contests.
Product overview
One Drop Design is a yo-yo company that designs and manufactures high-end spinning toys in-house in Eugene, Oregon, USA since 2007. The product portfolio centers on a wide range of yo-yo models across multiple tiers - from signature/professional competition models (Valor, VTWO, Gradient, Prescription, Top Deck, Rebirth, DANG, Chik!) to collaboration products (Summit with CLYW, Terrarian/Kraken with Re-Logic, Küntosh with Sonny Patrick, Seven Summits series, Markmont. Classic) to value-focused models (Vanguard, Gauntlet, Benchmark Series) and limited/collector editions (Marquis, Mantis blind boxes). The proprietary Side Effects interchangeable axle system allows weight customization across all compatible yo-yos. Beyond yo-yos, the company expanded into adjacent spinning toys including the Trillium premium hand spinner and Zissou brass spin top. YOYOCOIN is a physical collectible coin with value tied to Bitcoin. All products are 100% made in-house in Oregon, USA with a focus on precision machining quality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Project Yo-Yo One Drop's inaugural yo-yo, a collaboration with Colin Leland featuring a hex nut assembly axle system and Projection Profile grooves designed for grinding performance.
- Side Effects Interchangeable Axle System Proprietary modular axle/hub system with variants including Ultra Light, Spikes, Domes, Flat Caps, and Energy Domes in aluminum, brass, nickel, and titanium with weights from 2.5g to 11.2g. Compatible across 35+ One Drop yo-yos and select third-party models.
- Sovereign Yo-Yo One Drop's first all-titanium yo-yo, leveraging titanium strength to place most of its weight at the rim for long spin times and a curvy shape.
- Vanguard Yo-Yo Entry-level aluminum yo-yo at $49 starting price, designed to bring made-in-Eugene precision manufacturing to a value-focused price point.
- Marquis Blind-Box Yo-Yo First One Drop blind-box yo-yo limited to 400 units at $49 per sealed box, with randomized finishes including five Titanium variants and odds displayed on the product page.
- Trillium Tri-Spinner Premium titanium tri-spinner hand fidget toy with a captured bearing system and swappable weights, shipped with a 10Ball stainless steel bearing.
- Zissou Spin Top First One Drop spin top made of C360 brass with a synthetic ruby tip and polished finish.
- Citizen Titanium Yo-Yo Limited-edition premium titanium yo-yo with weight distribution only achievable in titanium, hand-polished halves, and 117 numbered units.
- Ultra State Titanium Yo-Yo Modern responsive yo-yo in 6AI4V Grade 5 titanium with very thin walls for high rim weight and long spin times, priced at $288 in Walnut Shell Polished and Raw Machine finishes. Includes Gold Nytro string by YoYoStringLab.
- The Crucible Yo-Yo JT Nickel signature yo-yo built from 7068 aluminum alloy with a brand-new 'The JT' Side Effect design, incorporating numerous design elements from One Drop's prior models.
- YOYOCOIN Discount Token Physical machined collectible coin manufactured by One Drop that serves as a coupon for product discounts. Its value is tied to Bitcoin price fluctuations and can be redeemed in person at the Eugene factory or contest booths.
Quantifiable outcome
- Side Effects compatible with 35+ One Drop models and additional licensed third-party yo-yos (Anti-Yo, 3yo3, YoYoWorkshop, etc.)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use One Drop Design
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
One Drop Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
One Drop Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- YoYoStringLab (Matt)minorYoYoStringLab, operated by Matt, supplies Gold Nytro strings included with the Ultra State titanium yo-yo. The string is bundled with the product at no additional charge, enhancing the out-of-box experience for the $288 premium yo-yo.
- Atwood Family - 'Stay Gold, America' ProjectcoreOne Drop partnered with the Atwood family on their 'Stay Gold, America' project for a second time to create the Ultra State titanium responsive yo-yo (following the earlier Deepest State). Jeff Atwood of Coding Horror is associated with this project. Ed Haponik served as a consultant on the Ultra State, extensively testing production versions for six months and providing a detailed endorsement of the yo-yo's performance.
- Leila del DucaminorPortland-based comic book artist and writer Leila del Duca collaborated with Vilmos Zoltan Kiss and One Drop on the VTWO signature yo-yo. She created the box art for the product, combining artistic collaboration with the yo-yo's minimalist V-shaped design.
- Re-LogiccoreOne Drop partnered with independent game studio Re-Logic (creator of Terraria) to bring real-world yo-yos into the game and to create real-life versions of in-game items. The partnership produced the Terrarian (real-world version of the game's ultimate yo-yo), Kraken, and Legendary Terrarian. One Drop yo-yos (Cascade, Valor, Yelets, etc.) also appear as items within the Terraria game, with a 1-in-200 drop rate for the Kraken.
- Toxic StringsminorOne Drop and Toxic Strings collaborated on the T1 yo-yo, a large floaty wide yo-yo with unique ridged catch zone designed by Evan Evans of Toxic Strings. The project was created to help cover medical expenses for Trevan Evans (age 2), who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. All proceeds from T1 sales went to the Evans family.
- CLYW (Caleb & Lewis), YoYoRavencoreOne Drop collaborated with CLYW (a Canadian yo-yo company) to create the Summit — a yo-yo that combined CLYW's Avalanche design with One Drop's Cascade. The Summit was designed and manufactured in just 4 days at One Drop's Eugene shop, with team members from both companies participating in on-site design and testing. CLYW also collaborated on the Wooly MarkMont, a nickel-plated yo-yo inspired by Mark Montgomery as a wooly marmot, featuring the MarkMont Nut Capture axle system.
- I Love YoYo (ILYY)minorOne Drop partnered with I Love YoYo (ILYY) to create the Sakura SE — a Side Effect version of ILYY's Sakura yo-yo. One Drop added its proprietary Side Effects system to ILYY's 52mm curvy H-shaped design, releasing approximately 200 units in 6 colorways through the One Drop online store.
- Jason Rodriguez (Community Design)coreJason Rodriguez won One Drop's CODE2 community design competition (hosted on YoYoNation forum), becoming the first community member to design a yo-yo for the brand. His CODE2 design specified 'big and wide that's all catch zone and geared specifically for performance including 5a and horizontal play' with Side Effects and higher base weight. This crowdsourced design approach was called 'Community/One Drop Experiment #1' (CODE1).
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights4 records
One Drop Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- YYF (Yomega) competition line: Brand-extended competition yo-yo line with mass retail footprint; relevant peer because it overlaps with One Drop's mid-tier competition yo-yo offering, but at significantly lower price points.
- Yomega: Established branded yo-yo and skill toy maker (Power Brain XP, Brain); competes at mass-market price points against One Drop's entry-level Vanguard/Gauntlet, with broader toy industry distribution.
- Duncan Toys: Heritage mass-market yo-yo and skill-toy brand (Duncan Imperial, Loop 360); occupies broader value/beginner tiers with massive distribution, contrasting with One Drop's premium focus but serving the same hobby category.
Direct peers
- Anti-Yo: Boutique premium yo-yo maker with similar limited-run drops, collector focus, and Side Effects-compatible releases; overlaps directly with One Drop's high-end tier and flagship player community.
- CLYW (Caribou Lou YoYo Works): Canadian boutique yo-yo maker that has a direct Summit co-design partnership with One Drop; competes in the same premium modern throw category with comparable aluminum/billet construction and similar direct-to-consumer plus specialty retail distribution.
- Tom Kuhn / Silver Signature: Long-running US-based boutique yo-yo maker (No Jive, Silver Bullet) with handmade/custom aluminum and brass throws; a close analog to One Drop's small-batch, high-precision US manufacturing identity.
- I Love YoYo (ILYY): Boutique yo-yo brand with a Sakura SE Side Effects collaboration with One Drop; comparable as a small premium drop-based maker serving similar competition and collector customers.
- YoYoFactory: One of the largest modern competitive yo-yo manufacturers, producing wide range of budget-to-pro throws with global contest sponsorship; directly comparable in product breadth and target customer (competitive and recreational players).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
One Drop Design social profiles
Digital presenceOne Drop Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
One Drop Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
One Drop Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
One Drop Design 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 One Drop Design
What does One Drop Design do?
One Drop Design manufactures and sells high-end precision-machined yo-yos, hand spinners, and spin tops designed and produced entirely in-house at its Eugene, Oregon facility. Its product line spans 70+ yo-yo models across entry-level aluminum, signature professional, collaboration, and limited/collector editions, supported by its proprietary Side Effects interchangeable axle ecosystem. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales via the company's online store, global specialty retailers, and yo-yo contests.
Is One Drop Design a public or private company?
One Drop Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was One Drop Design founded?
One Drop Design was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is One Drop Design based?
One Drop Design is headquartered in Eugene, United States, in the North America region.
How does One Drop Design make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Yo-Yo Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are YOYOCOIN Discount Token.
Who are One Drop Design's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are YYF (Yomega) competition line, Yomega and Duncan Toys. Direct peers are Anti-Yo, CLYW (Caribou Lou YoYo Works), Tom Kuhn / Silver Signature, I Love YoYo (ILYY) and YoYoFactory.
Does One Drop Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for One Drop Design.
What industry is One Drop Design in?
One Drop Design's product category is Premium Yo-Yo Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAMAD, Hobby & Model Kits Distribution (RC, Scale Models, Miniatures). Its SIC code is 3944.