FRC Team 3506 YETI Robotics

What FRC Team 3506 YETI Robotics does

FRC Team 3506 YETI Robotics is a high school FIRST Robotics Competition team headquartered at 2102 Cambridge Beltway Drive, Suite B, Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 2010. The team designs and builds competition robots annually for the FRC game cycle, with documented technical components including swerve drivetrains (Borealis, 2022), turret-equipped shooter systems (Aurora, 2022), compliance-wheel intakes, and climber subsystems, all powered by Falcon 500 and NEO motors. As of the 2025 season the team has 63 members supported by adult mentors and has produced a documented robot lineage from WAMPA (2011) through Kitty (2024).

Beyond competition robotics, YETI operates an extensive STEM education and outreach portfolio. The team has founded and mentored 8 FTC teams, 6 FLL Challenge teams, and 1 FLL Explore team, and co-founded the Queen City Robotics Alliance, a 501(c)(3) umbrella organization supporting FIRST teams and events across Charlotte. YETI-original programs include RISE with YETI (an after-school STEM program serving Title I schools, 300+ students reached since 2023), #FIRSTEmpowered (a global social media campaign reaching 8,500+ to 10,000+ people), and advocacy work via a partnership with SASA for state and national STEM policy engagement. The team also contributes executive leadership to the EYERIS global curriculum initiative, supporting FIRST team creation in underrepresented countries.

YETI has no commercial revenue model: it sells no products or services, charges no fees, and operates entirely through corporate sponsorships across multiple tiers (including Platinum sponsors AIG, Corning, Schaeffler, SOLIDWORKS, and Gerdau; Gold sponsors Bank of America, Honeywell, TIAA, and others), individual donations accepted via PayPal, and volunteer labor. The organization has won multiple Chairman's Awards (2015, 2016) and an Excellence in Engineering Award (2015), and partners internationally (India via PREPARE, 2019) and locally (The Relatives, Roof Above, Omni Montessori, Whitewater Middle School, Olympic High School, NC A&T) to deliver its STEM and community-service mission.

Name

FRC Team 3506 YETI Robotics

Legal name

YETI Robotics (Team 3506)

Website

https://yetirobotics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FRC Team 3506 YETI Robotics is a Charlotte, NC high school FIRST Robotics Competition team that designs annual competition robots, mentors downstream FIRST teams, and runs STEM outreach programs funded by diversified corporate sponsorships and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Robotics Competition

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

akta.pro primary industry

Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Robotics After-School & Enrichment Clubs (EDAMADAA), Competitive Activities (Debate, Mock Trial, Academic Team, Robotics) (EDAJAJAD)

Keywords

• STEM education
• Robotics competition
• FIRST robotics
• Youth mentoring
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorship: YETI receives funding from corporate sponsors at various levels (Team Sponsor, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Pit Sponsors) including companies like Synchrony, AIG, Corning, Schaeffler, SOLIDWORKS, Gerdau, Bank of America, Honeywell, TIAA, and others.
2. Individual Donations: Accepts donations through PayPal fundraising at paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/2074489
3. Individual Sponsors: Individual sponsors like Mr. John Stoffel provide support, with some matching through employers like Wells Fargo.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YETI Robotics is a high school FIRST Robotics Competition team that designs and builds competition robots for the annual FRC game challenge. The team operates as a nonprofit educational organization running STEM outreach programs including RISE with YETI (an after-school STEM program for Title I schools), the #FIRSTEmpowered global campaign, mentorship of FLL/FTC teams, and community classes and demonstrations across the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

Product overview

YETI Robotics (Team 3506) is a FIRST Robotics Competition team that builds competition robots for annual FRC games and operates as an educational outreach organization. The core offering consists of annual competition robots (KITTY, AURORA, SUBZERO, POLARIS, PERMAFROST, FROSTBYTE, MOMO, WAMPA, etc.) built for specific FRC challenges, supplemented by educational programs including RISE with YETI after-school STEM curriculum, #FIRSTEmpowered social campaign, and Classes & Demos. YETI also provides mentorship services for FTC and FLL teams, and hosts FIRST events including the Doyenne Inspiration West all-girls offseason competition. The team's swerve drivetrain robot BOREALIS represents their first offseason competition robot with advanced drivetrain technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISE with YETI: A YETI-original after-school STEM program providing opportunities to schools lacking resources for STEM programs.
• #FIRSTEmpowered

Products and services

• KITTY (2024 FRC Competition Robot) YETI Robotics' 2024 FRC Competition robot built for the Crescendo presented by Haas game, designed and constructed by team members for use in FIRST Robotics Competition.
• AURORA (2022 FRC Rapid React Competition Robot) Aurora is the 2022 FRC Rapid React competition robot featuring a 6-wheel West Coast drivetrain, intake system, tower, shooter, and climber.
• SUBZERO (2021 FRC Infinite Recharge Competition Robot) Subzero is the 2021 FRC Infinite Recharge competition robot featuring a 6WD West Coast Drivetrain and shooter system.
• POLARIS (2019 FRC Deep Space Competition Robot) Polaris is the 2019 FRC Deep Space competition robot with 8WD West Coast Style tank drive, cascade elevator, and disk intake for hatch panels.
• PERMAFROST (2017 FRC Steamworks Competition Robot) Permafrost is the 2017 FRC Steamworks competition robot with traction wheel tank drive, active claw intake, and velcro climber.
• FROSTBYTE (2015 FRC Recycle Rush Competition Robot) Frostbyte is the 2015 FRC Recycle Rush competition robot featuring a 6WD custom West Coast Products drive, tote stacker, and roller claw.
• BOREALIS (2022 Offseason Swerve Drivetrain Robot) Borealis is YETI's first swerve drivetrain robot, competing in the 2022 offseason Doyenne competition using Swerve Drive Specialties mk4i drivetrain powered by Falcon 500s.
• RISE with YETI After-School STEM Program A YETI-original after-school STEM program providing affordable gateway STEM education to Title I schools lacking resources for STEM programs, reaching 300+ students across 5 schools in 12 sessions since 2023.
• #FIRSTEmpowered Global Social Media Campaign A YETI-pioneered global social media campaign featuring stories from FIRST community members to inspire others to explore STEM journeys, reaching 8,500+ people globally and 10,000+ through the broader #FIRSTEmpowered campaign.
• Classes and Demonstrations Program STEM education classes and demonstrations conducted by YETI team members for community members of all ages, including Girl Scouts merit badge classes (262 girls earned Robotics Merit Badge over past 3 years), senior cybersecurity classes, Omni Montessori afterschool programs, and QCRA camps; 24 demos hosted in 2024 reaching 5,600+ individuals.
• FLL Teams Mentorship Program YETI mentors and sponsors FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge teams and one FLL Explore team, including 6 FLL Challenge teams and 1 FLL Explore team (The Mechanics) to guide the next generation of STEM leaders.
• FTC Teams Mentorship Program YETI has started, sponsored, and mentored 8 FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) teams providing guidance throughout FIRST journeys, including Circuit Breakers, Robo Ravens, Crazy Circuits, Waffle Warriors, SHARK BOT, Electro Eagles, Automation Avengers, and Koala Coderz.

Quantifiable outcome

• 311,000+ people reached through classes and demos in last 3 seasons
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• QCRA (Queen City Robotics Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to conduct cybersecurity classes at local libraries and recreation centers, expanding YETI's senior cybersecurity initiative
• SASA (Student Association for Science Advocacy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnered with SASA for National Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. (June 2023) and to revitalize NC Advocacy Conference for state-level legislative change
• Queen City Robotics Alliance (QCRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Co-founded nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization with BOW 4290, T-Rex 4935, and Royal Robotics 3701. Founded in 2014 by Lia Schwinghammer as umbrella fundraising entity for FIRST teams and events in Charlotte, NC. Supports multiple teams and events at all four FIRST levels.
• EYERIS (FRC Teams 226 and 503)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal initiative dedicated to providing resources to start FIRST teams in underrepresented countries. YETI's Business Captain Radhika serves as one of 5 executive board members and curriculum lead. YETI members work with 100+ contributors on the EYERIS curriculum team alongside the FIRST Education Board.
• Whitewater Middle SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle 1 School in Charlotte-area where YETI hosts FLL Semi-Final Tournament A and school supply drives
• Olympic High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Olympic High School and NC A&T to host FLL Qualifier before the pandemic and for 2022-2023 season
• NC A&T (North Carolina A&T State University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Olympic High School and NC A&T to host FLL Qualifier competitions
• Omni MontessoriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfterschool STEM program reaching over 70 students over two years, teaching robot design, programming, public speaking, collaboration, and teamwork
• The RelativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit supporting homeless youth. YETI conducted two-year partnership with food, toys, and toiletries drive creating over 200 packs of basic necessities
• Roof AboveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization assisting homeless individuals in local community. Recipients of Operation Cold Cuts sandwiches created annually by YETI members
• FRC Team 5190 Green Hope FalconsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to create Doyenne Inspiration West, an all-girls offseason FRC competition
• FRC Team 2642 Pitt PiratesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to create Doyenne Inspiration West, an all-girls offseason FRC competition
• FRC Team 3737 Roto RaptorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to create Doyenne Inspiration West, an all-girls offseason FRC competition
• FRC Team 7443 Jag-WiresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to create Doyenne Inspiration West, an all-girls offseason FRC competition
• FRC Team 6894 Iced JavaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to create Doyenne Inspiration West and participated in FRC Scrimmage
• PREPARE 501(c)(3)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by YETI's Business Co-Captain. Partnership in summer 2019 to start FLL and FTC teams in southern India

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FRC Team 1114 Simbotics: Highly successful Canadian FRC team from St. Catharines, Ontario. Comparable to YETI as a long-running high school FRC team with sustained competitive excellence and student-led outreach.
• FRC Team 254 Cheesy Poofs: One of the most decorated and longest-running FRC teams (founded 1999, San Jose, CA). Directly comparable to YETI as a high school FRC team that combines elite robot performance with deep technical mentoring and outreach.
• FRC Team 1678 Citrus Circuits: Multiple-time FRC World Championship winner based in Davis, CA. Comparable to YETI as a high-performing high school FRC team with strong technical development and community presence.
• FRC Team 3310 Black Hawks: Texas-based high school FRC team with extensive outreach to underserved communities. Comparable to YETI in its focus on expanding STEM access in Title I and underrepresented areas.
• Queen City Robotics Alliance: 501(c)(3) umbrella organization co-founded by YETI in 2014 to support FIRST teams and events in Charlotte. Comparable to YETI as a regional STEM ecosystem builder serving overlapping teams and community.
• FRC Team 1538 Paly Robotics: High school FRC team from Palo Alto, CA recognized for both competitive success and significant community outreach initiatives, closely paralleling YETI's outreach-heavy mission.
• FRC Team 2056 OP Robotics: Award-winning Canadian FRC team from Stoney Creek, Ontario with strong outreach programs. Comparable to YETI as a high school FRC team emphasizing STEM advocacy and community impact.

Broad incumbents

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): The parent organization that operates FRC, FTC, and FLL globally. Comparable to YETI as the governing body whose mission YETI advances; not a direct competitor but the umbrella entity YETI operates within.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YETI_Robotics
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/YETIRobotics3506
• Facebookfacebook.com/YETI3506
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frc-team-3506-yeti-robotics
• Instagraminstagram.com/yetirobotics
• TikToktiktok.com/@yeti.robotics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 FRC Team 3506 YETI Robotics