What Evil Mad Science LLC does

Evil Mad Science LLC is a small, Sunnyvale, California-based maker of open-source DIY hardware and electronics kits founded in November 2007. Its core products are open-source drawing machines and art robots — the AxiDraw family of pen plotters (V3, V3/A3, V3/B6, V3 XLX, SE/A4, SE/A3, SE/A1, SE/A2), the EggBot series (Original, Pro, Ostrich) for decorating spherical objects, and the WaterColorBot for watercolor painting. These share a common control platform built around the EiBotBoard (EBB) USB dual stepper motor controller and are operated through open-source Inkscape extensions, with additional Python, REST, and CLI APIs for developers and educational environments (Scratch, Snap). The company also produces educational soldering kits — notably the Three Fives discrete 555 timer and XL741 discrete op-amp replicas designed with Eric Schlaepfer — alongside LED matrix, clock, and other hobby electronics kits.

The business model is direct-to-consumer e-commerce through shop.evilmadscientist.com, supplemented by authorized reseller distribution through Bantam Tools' store and Solarbotics, with worldwide USPS/UPS shipping. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware and kit sales, plus a 10% educational discount for orders shipping to schools, libraries, makerspaces, and hackerspaces; refurbished/blemished units are also sold at reduced pricing. Products are designed in collaboration with named external experts (Bruce Shapiro on EggBot, Lindsay Wilson/IJ Instruments on AxiDraw, Brian Schmalz on EBB, Zephyrus Todd and Super Awesome Sylvia on WaterColorBot) and supported through a community-led motion including a blog, documentation wiki, discussion forums, and a Discord support channel (ems-chat), with one-on-one technical support from the product designers.

In January 2024, Evil Mad Science LLC was acquired by Bantam Tools and now operates as part of that company's portfolio; the Evil Mad Scientist brand and shop continue to operate, and Bantam Tools subsequently launched the NextDraw series of drawing and handwriting machines as a successor product line. No institutional venture funding or public revenue figures are disclosed; the company historically operated as a bootstrapped family-owned LLC prior to acquisition.

Name

Evil Mad Science LLC

Legal name

Evil Mad Science LLC

Website

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Evil Mad Science LLC is a Sunnyvale-based, family-owned maker of open-source DIY hardware producing pen plotters (AxiDraw), egg-decorating robots (EggBot), watercolor painting robots (WaterColorBot), and educational electronics soldering kits. Acquired by Bantam Tools in January 2024.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Open-Source DIY Hardware / Art Robots

NAICS

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)

SIC

Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Maker / DIY Electronics & Physical Computing Platforms (EDAFANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soldering, Rework & Electronics Hand Tools Retail (CRACAKAG), Electronics, Circuits & Soldering Programs (EDAMADAG)

Keywords

• DIY electronics kits
• Pen plotter machines
• Open-source hardware
• Art robotics
• STEAM education tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunnyvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Drawing Machines and Art Robots: One-time sale of assembled and tested pen plotters (AxiDraw V3, V3/A3, V3 XLX, V3/B6, SE/A3, SE/A4, SE/A1, SE/A2), EggBot kits (Original, Pro, Ostrich), WaterColorBot, and related accessories including EBB driver boards, motors, power supplies, and cables. Ships domestically and internationally via USPS and UPS.
2. Hardware Sales - DIY Soldering and Electronics Kits: One-time sale of soldering kits (Three Fives Discrete 555 Timer, XL741 Discrete Op-Amp, BoldPort Buggy, Larson Scanner, LED Menorah, Drawdio, etc.), clock kits (Bulbdial, Alpha Clock Five), interactive LED art kits (Octolively, Interactive Game of Life), LED matrix kits (Peggy 2LE, Meggy Jr RGB), Arduino-compatible boards, AVR development kits, and electronic components (LEDs, sensors, motors, connectors, etc.).
3. Refurbished and Blemished Units: Sale of refurbished, returned, open box, or demo units that have been refurbished and retested to original specifications, offered at reduced pricing.
4. Educational Discounts: 10% discount offered to orders shipping to educational institutions (schools, libraries, makerspaces, hackerspaces) using coupon code EDUCATION.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Evil Mad Science LLC designs, manufactures, and sells open-source DIY hardware products through its own online storefront. Its core offerings are the AxiDraw pen plotter series for handwriting and drawing automation, the EggBot series of art robots for decorating spherical objects, and the WaterColorBot for watercolor painting — all built on a shared EiBotBoard (EBB) motor controller platform. The company also sells educational electronics soldering kits, most notably the Three Fives (discrete 555 timer) and XL741 (discrete 741 op-amp) replicas, alongside LED, clock, and miscellaneous electronics kits and components.

Product overview

Evil Mad Science LLC offers a portfolio of open-source hardware products centered on DIY art robots and electronics soldering kits. The core product line includes the AxiDraw family of pen plotters (available in standard V3, compact B6, extended XLX, and Special Editions SE/A4, SE/A3, SE/A1/SE/A2 with machined aluminum construction) and the EggBot series for decorating spherical objects (Original/Deluxe Edition, Pro, and Ostrich EggBot for larger eggs). The WaterColorBot 2.0 extends the art robot concept to watercolor painting. These drawing machines share the EBB (EiBotBoard) USB motor controller as a common platform and are controlled through Inkscape extensions. Supporting the robotics line is a comprehensive selection of components (NEMA-17 stepper motors, micro servo motors, power supplies) and accessories (Diamond Engraving Tool, Electro-Kistka wax attachment). The company also produces educational soldering kits including the Three Fives (discrete 555 timer) and XL741 (discrete op-amp) discrete IC kits, LED art kits (Octolively, Interactive Game of Life, Peggy 2LE, Meggy Jr RGB), clock kits (Bulbdial, Alpha Clock Five), and various themed kits. In January 2024, Evil Mad Scientist joined Bantam Tools, which subsequently launched the Bantam Tools NextDraw series as a successor product line.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AxiDraw V3 Pen Plotter High-performance personal writing and drawing machine (pen plotter) capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface with fountain pens, permanent markers, and other implements. Features 11.81 x 8.58 inch usable pen travel, 2032 steps per inch resolution, and up to 15 inches/second travel speed. Ships fully assembled with USB interface, power supply, and easel.
• AxiDraw V3/A3 Extended Plotter Extended-travel version of AxiDraw V3 designed for 11x17 inch (tabloid/ledger) and A3 size papers, with a plot area of 16.93 x 11.69 inches. Identical in all other aspects to V3.
• AxiDraw V3/B6 Compact Plotter Compact version of AxiDraw V3 with a smaller plot area of 7.48 x 5.51 inches (just over B6 size), suitable for note cards, envelopes, and smaller paper formats.
• AxiDraw V3 XLX Extended-Edition Plotter Extended-edition AxiDraw V3 with twice the travel distance in X direction; 23.42 x 8.58 inch usable pen travel (enough for two end-to-end US Letter or A4 pages), with 595 x 218 mm total area.
• AxiDraw SE/A4 Special Edition Plotter Special Edition AxiDraw with extra-rigid base precision machined from a solid block of aluminum for dramatically better straightness and stiffness. Designed for US Letter/A4 size paper. Weighs 6.8 lb (3.1 kg).
• AxiDraw SE/A3 Special Edition Plotter Special Edition AxiDraw with central beam precision machined from a solid billet of 6061-T6 aluminum. Extended plot area for 11x17 inch (tabloid) and A3 paper sizes. Features dramatically better stiffness with added mass to the non-moving base.
• AxiDraw SE/A1 and SE/A2 Large-Format Special Edition Plotters Large-format Special Edition AxiDraw models with machined linear rail and exclusive high-rigidity carriage. SE/A1 has 34.02 x 23.39 inch travel (A1/D size); SE/A2 has 23.39 x 17.01 inch travel (A2/C size). Feature CNC machined aluminum base and redesigned carriage. SE/A1 lists at $1,400 with coreless pen-lift servo.
• EggBot (Original, Deluxe Edition) Friendly art robot that draws on spherical or egg-shaped objects from ping pong ball to small grapefruit size (1.25 to 4.25 inches diameter). Based on Bruce Shapiro's original 1990 design, updated for modern use. Features precision stepper motors, 16x microstepping (3200 steps/revolution), and USB interface. Deluxe Edition includes precision coupler, balldriver, and brass hardware upgrades.
• EggBot Pro Professional-grade version of the EggBot art robot with enhanced features and performance for higher-precision egg and sphere decoration.
• Ostrich EggBot Large-format EggBot designed for ostrich eggs and other extra-large spherical objects, extending the standard EggBot's capabilities to larger workpieces.
• WaterColorBot 2.0 Friendly art robot that paints with watercolors, developed in collaboration with Super Awesome Sylvia. Moves paint brush to paint digital artwork onto paper. Version 2.0 features aluminum carriage with crossed linear roller bearings, CNC machined aluminum winches, and comes fully assembled. Uses standard watercolor paints and paper.
• EBB Driver Board v2.7 USB-based dual stepper motor controller board (EiBotBoard). Open source hardware/software, PIC18F46J50-based with two Allegro A4983 16X microstepping motor drivers. Powers EggBot, AxiDraw, and WaterColorBot. Measures 2.2 x 2.2 inches (5.6 x 5.6 cm).
• Three Fives Kit (Discrete 555 Timer Replica) Faithful and functional transistor-scale replica of the classic NE555 timer integrated circuit. Discrete implementation using resistors and 2N3904/2N3906 transistors. Sold as an easy-to-build soldering kit with aluminum IC Legs display stand and color-coded terminal posts. PCB 5.215 x 3.175 inches; approximately 1 hour to build. Designed by Eric Schlaepfer in collaboration with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.
• XL741 Discrete Op-Amp Kit Faithful and functional transistor-scale replica of the classic μA741 op-amp integrated circuit. Discrete implementation using resistors and 2N3904/2N3906 transistors. Features extra-thick matte-finish PCB and anodized aluminum IC Legs stand. Includes datasheet, assembly instructions, and educational supplement on circuit operation. Designed by Eric Schlaepfer in collaboration with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.
• 555SE and 741SE Surface Mount Soldering Kits Surface-mount versions of the discrete 555 timer and 741 op-amp kits, offering a more advanced soldering challenge compared to through-hole versions.
• BoldPort Buggy Soldering Kit Soldering kit for building a small buggy/robot vehicle, designed by BoldPort.
• Larson Scanner LED Kit LED scanner kit featuring classic chase-light pattern, available in 10mm and 5mm versions.
• Drawdio Musical Pencil Kit Musical pencil kit that makes music by drawing; turns pencil lines into musical instruments.
• LED Menorah Kits Electronic LED Menorah kits in Deluxe and Special Edition versions; solderless breadboard version also available.
• Bulbdial Clock Kit Real-time clock with face that shows time using shadows from three colored LEDs representing hour, minute, and second hands. Available in 3-Color and Monochrome versions.
• Alpha Clock Five Kit Five-digit alphanumeric LED clock kit, available in Red, White, and Blue editions.
• Octolively Interactive LED Modules Interactive LED art kit featuring modular panels that respond to human proximity with light patterns.
• Interactive Game of Life Kit LED matrix kit implementing Conway's Game of Life with interactive features for user participation.
• Peggy 2LE LED Matrix Display Kit LED matrix display kit for building programmable light art installations.
• Meggy Jr RGB Handheld Game Kit LED matrix game kit that lets the builder create a handheld video game with a colorful LED display.
• NEMA-17 Stepper Motor High-torque bipolar stepper motor with 1.8 degree step angle (200 steps/revolution), 5mm shaft, NEMA 17 form factor; 1A current per phase, 3.1 ohm winding resistance, 1440 g·cm holding torque. Used in EggBot and AxiDraw.
• Diamond Engraving Tool for EggBot Turns the EggBot into a CNC diamond-point engraving tool for marking and engraving hard materials like glass, stone, and ceramic. Available as assembled/tested version or soldering kit. Uses a vibrating motor with a genuine natural diamond ground to a 90-degree point.
• Electro-Kistka for EggBot Hot wax attachment for the EggBot for traditional batik wax-resist and dye processes on eggs. Includes wax coupler, clear strip wax, various tips (Fine #1, Heavy #3, Extra Fine #0), and a Batik Dye Set.

Quantifiable outcome

• WaterColorBot raised over 175% of its Kickstarter funding goal in 2013
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, core and minor.

• Bantam Toolsflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024In January 2024, Evil Mad Scientist LLC was acquired by Bantam Tools. Evil Mad Scientist became part of Bantam Tools, with their shop continuing to operate at shop.evilmadscientist.com. Bantam Tools also offers the Bantam Tools NextDraw series of drawing and handwriting machines. The EBB Driver Board and other products are now also sold through Bantam Tools' store.
• Zephyrus ToddcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2013Zephyrus Todd approached Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories about collaborating on the WaterColorBot project, which was co-designed by Zeph and Evil Mad Scientist. Zeph exhibited the prototype at RoboGames (won Silver medal) and demonstrated WaterColorBot at the White House Science Fair in April 2013.
• Eric SchlaepfercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric Schlaepfer (tubetime.us) designed both the XL741 Discrete Op-Amp Kit and the Three Fives Discrete 555 Timer Kit in collaboration with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. Both kits are sold through the Evil Mad Scientist shop.
• Lindsay Wilson (IJ Instruments Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLindsay Wilson of IJ Instruments Ltd. collaborated with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories on the AxiDraw project. IJ Instruments contributed to the design and development of AxiDraw drawing machines.
• Brian Schmalz (Schmalz Haus LLC)coreTechnology or IntegrationBrian Schmalz designed the EiBotBoard (EBB), the USB-based dual stepper motor controller that is the 'brain' of all EggBot, AxiDraw, and WaterColorBot products. EBB is open source hardware and software, and hardware documentation is available at schmalzhaus.com.
• Super Awesome SylviacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterColorBot is described as a collaborative project from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories and Super Awesome Sylvia (sylviashow.com). Sylvia's Super-Awesome Maker Show helped popularize the product and the company. Erin 'RobotGrrl' Kennedy was also involved in developing an iPad app to control WaterColorBot.
• Maker NexusminorOthersDuring their garage sale and relocation from the Bay Area, Evil Mad Scientist donated laserable acrylic sheets, plywood sheets, and quality 6061 aluminum raw material to Maker Nexus, a local makerspace.
• Adafruit IndustriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvil Mad Scientist resells Adafruit products including Circuit Playground Express, Adafruit Trinket, HUZZAH ESP8266 Breakout, Motor Shield, OLED Display, FTDI Friend, Audio FX Sound Board, Bluefruit LE UART Friend, MicroSD card Breakout, and servo/PWM drivers. Also sells Adafruit's Hans the Plush 555 Timer IC.
• SolarboticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolarbotics is an authorized reseller of Evil Mad Scientist products including the Three Fives Kit and XL741 Kit. Evil Mad Scientist also sells Solarbotics kits including Solar Marble Machine, Squid Hunting CarouSol, Paris Flyer CarouSol, and Groovy Noodle wire.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Cricut: Cricut is the dominant consumer craft-cutting machine incumbent selling machines that draw, cut, and write alongside a large consumables ecosystem; while its core product is a cutting plotter rather than a pen plotter, it competes directly for the same DIY/maker/hobbyist customer wallet share.
• Silhouette America: Silhouette America sells Cameo and Portrait cutting plotters that overlap with AxiDraw and EggBot use cases for crafters, small businesses, and educators, making it a comparable incumbant in the personal fabrication/craft hardware category.

Direct peers

• Adafruit Industries: Adafruit is an open-source hardware company that designs, manufactures, and sells DIY electronics kits, components, and learning platforms to makers and educators — the same target audience and go-to-market motion as Evil Mad Scientist, with overlapping educational kit and component lines.
• Bantam Tools: Bantam Tools is the parent company that acquired Evil Mad Scientist in January 2024 and now sells the NextDraw series of drawing and handwriting machines — the direct successor to the AxiDraw line — alongside the EBB Driver Board and other former Evil Mad Scientist products, making it the closest peer.
• SparkFun Electronics: SparkFun Electronics produces open-source hardware kits, development boards, and electronics components for makers, educators, and hobbyists, mirroring Evil Mad Scientist's open-source, education-focused DIY hardware business model.
• Pololu: Pololu designs and manufactures stepper motor drivers, motor controllers, and robotics components — including products functionally similar to the EiBotBoard — and sells directly to the same maker and small-OEM robotics customer base.
• Seeed Studio: Seeed Studio is an open-source hardware manufacturer offering DIY electronics kits, development boards, and maker-focused components with similar design-to-shelf workflows to Evil Mad Scientist, serving overlapping maker and education segments.

Others

• MakerBot: MakerBot is a 3D printing hardware company serving the same educational and prosumer maker audience as Evil Mad Scientist, providing a useful adjacent reference for how open-source fabrication hardware businesses have scaled and been acquired.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/emsl
• Facebookfacebook.com/24458132880

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Evil Mad Science LLC