ROOTS Engineering
ROOTS Engineering Services is a Florida-based, privately held firm that develops and administers three Industry 4.0 certifications — CAROL 4.0, CIP, and SAT — for students, educational institutions, and manufacturing companies, supplemented by B2B manufacturing consulting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersVenice, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ROOTS Engineering does
ROOTS Engineering Services, operating under the name ROOTS Engineering, is a privately held Florida-based company founded in 2018 that develops and administers industry-backed certification programs targeting the Industry 4.0 workforce. The company's core products are three proprietary certifications: CAROL 4.0 (Collaborative Action Robotics Occupational Learning), CIP (Cobot Integration & Processing), and SAT (Semiconductor & Automation Technology). Each program combines standardized curricula with closed-book, proctored exams and 5-year credential validity, covering skills ranging from robotics fundamentals, safety, and programming to cobot cell integration, PLC/CNC control, and full semiconductor fabrication processes including photolithography, plasma etching, metrology, and wafer bonding/debonding.
The business operates two revenue streams. The primary stream is one-time certification exam fees paid by educational institutions and individual students, with scheduling and registration handled through dedicated email channels ([email protected], [email protected]) and a 72-hour post-exam processing cycle. The secondary stream is professional-services manufacturing consulting — project management, automation integration, and engineering services — sold directly to automotive, medical device, and food & beverage manufacturers. Distribution is anchored in partnerships with K-12 schools and colleges that embed ROOTS certifications into their curricula, supplemented by direct enterprise outreach to manufacturing buyers.
The company is small (1-10 employees), bootstrapped (no funding rounds disclosed), and US-only in geographic scope. It is led by Founder Jeff Kondel, VP Operations Justin Erickson, and Curriculum Director Sonia Ala, with a Board of Directors providing additional governance. Self-reported skill weighting is 40% automation, 35% robotics, and 25% advanced manufacturing. Operating status is active, with a refreshed website in 2024 and a new SAT certification badge in 2026 indicating ongoing product development, though no revenue, customer counts, or adoption metrics are publicly disclosed.
ROOTS Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ROOTS Engineering
- Legal name
- ROOTS Engineering Services
- Website
- https://rootsengineering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ROOTS Engineering Services is a Florida-based, privately held firm that develops and administers three Industry 4.0 certifications — CAROL 4.0, CIP, and SAT — for students, educational institutions, and manufacturing companies, supplemented by B2B manufacturing consulting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ROOTS Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Workforce Training and Certification
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Engineering Services (54133)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Career & College Readiness Platforms (Guidance, Planning, Scholarships) (EDAJAMAO)
Keywords
Where ROOTS Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Venice
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ROOTS Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Industry Certification Exams: Revenue generated from administering certification exams to students and professionals. Schools and colleges pay for certification testing, with processing taking 72 hours after exam completion. Closed-book exams with proctoring requirements.
- Manufacturing Consulting Services: Customized manufacturing solutions including project management, automation integration, and engineering services for automotive, medical device, and food & beverage industries.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
ROOTS Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ROOTS Engineering develops and administers three proprietary Industry 4.0 certification programs—CAROL 4.0 (robotics fundamentals), CIP (cobot integration and processing), and SAT (semiconductor and automation technology)—designed for K-12 and post-secondary educational integration. The company also provides customized manufacturing consulting services including project management, automation integration, and engineering services for automotive, medical device, and food & beverage industries.
Product overview
ROOTS Engineering Services offers a portfolio of three industry-backed certification programs designed for K-12 and college curricula: CAROL 4.0 (robotics and automation fundamentals), CIP (Cobot Integration & Processing for advanced robotics integration), and SAT (Semiconductor & Automation Technology for wafer fabrication). The company also provides manufacturing consulting services, OEM partnership solutions, and hands-on training in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies for Industry 4.0 workforce development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CAROL 4.0: Collaborative Action Robotics Occupational Learning 4.0 Certification - equips students with robotics and automation skills for Industry 4.0 workforce preparation.
- CIP
- SAT
Products and services
- CAROL 4.0 (Collaborative Action Robotics Occupational Learning)
- CIP (Cobot Integration & Processing)
- SAT (Semiconductor & Automation Technology)
- Manufacturing Consulting Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Certification valid for 5 years, ensuring sustained credential value for holders
Companies that use ROOTS Engineering
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ROOTS Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ROOTS Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ROOTS Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA): SACA is a non-profit industry consortium that offers certified credentials in smart automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0. It is the most directly comparable peer to ROOTS, addressing the same K-12, community college, and incumbent-worker segments with similar stackable certifications.
- Tooling U-SME (AMT): Tooling U-SME provides online manufacturing training, certification prep, and workforce development content used by K-12 CTE programs, community colleges, and manufacturers. Directly comparable in business model, content type, and customer base.
- Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC): MSSC delivers nationally recognized certifications (Certified Production Technician, Certified Logistics Technician) that map closely to ROOTS' workforce-readiness mission. It competes for the same institutional and employer training budgets in advanced manufacturing.
- National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS): NIMS sets national standards and credentials for metalworking and manufacturing skills, including credentials adopted by high school CTE programs and community colleges. Comparable to ROOTS in targeting credentialed entry-level manufacturing technicians.
Broad incumbents
- FANUC America Corporation: FANUC America operates the largest robotics certification network in the U.S. through its Authorized Certified Education Robot Training (CERT) schools. As a robot OEM, it competes broadly with ROOTS' CAROL 4.0 and CIP programs in cobot and industrial robotics certification.
- Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT): AMT is a major industry association that owns and operates manufacturing training programs (including Tooling U-SME) and shapes workforce policy. It competes in the same institutional and employer training market with broader portfolio and deeper resources.
- Yaskawa America (Motoman Robotics): Yaskawa Motoman runs a robot operator and integrator training/certification program that targets community colleges and manufacturing employers. It is a direct competitor in cobot and industrial robot certification from the OEM side.
Others
- SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a national student organization that runs industry-recognized career and technical education competitions and skill assessments used by high school and college manufacturing programs. It is an ecosystem-level complement/competitor to ROOTS' K-12 and post-secondary certification adoption path.
Emerging players
- Festo Didactic: Festo Didactic supplies industrial automation training equipment, curricula, and certification frameworks to technical schools and universities. It overlaps with ROOTS' CIP and SAT content in automation, controls, and cleanroom training, but is stronger in lab equipment and higher-ed programs.
Regional players
- CareerSafe / OSHA Outreach Programs: CareerSafe delivers safety certifications adopted by many U.S. high school CTE programs (OSHA 10-Hour). It targets the same K-12 buyer as ROOTS but in workplace safety rather than advanced manufacturing, making it a strong adjacent reference for institutional distribution strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ROOTS Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceROOTS Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ROOTS Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ROOTS Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ROOTS Engineering 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 ROOTS Engineering
What does ROOTS Engineering do?
ROOTS Engineering develops and administers three proprietary Industry 4.0 certification programs—CAROL 4.0 (robotics fundamentals), CIP (cobot integration and processing), and SAT (semiconductor and automation technology)—designed for K-12 and post-secondary educational integration. The company also provides customized manufacturing consulting services including project management, automation integration, and engineering services for automotive, medical device, and food & beverage industries.
Is ROOTS Engineering a public or private company?
ROOTS Engineering is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ROOTS Engineering founded?
ROOTS Engineering was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ROOTS Engineering based?
ROOTS Engineering is headquartered in Venice, United States, in the North America region.
How does ROOTS Engineering make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Industry Certification Exams are the primary driver. The others are manufacturing Consulting Services.
Who are ROOTS Engineering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), Tooling U-SME (AMT), Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). Broad incumbents are FANUC America Corporation, Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and Yaskawa America (Motoman Robotics). SkillsUSA is listed as an others. Festo Didactic is listed as an emerging player. CareerSafe / OSHA Outreach Programs is listed as a regional player.
Does ROOTS Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for ROOTS Engineering.
What industry is ROOTS Engineering in?
ROOTS Engineering's product category is Industrial Workforce Training and Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAMAG, Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms), with a secondary code of EDAJAMAO, Career & College Readiness Platforms (Guidance, Planning, Scholarships). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8711.