Mode Designs
Mode Designs designs and sells customizable DIY mechanical keyboard kits, proprietary keycaps, switches, and stabilizers through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, serving enthusiasts, professionals, and corporate gifting customers with premium, design-led hardware.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Mode Designs does
Mode Designs is a privately held mechanical keyboard company that designs and sells customizable DIY keyboard kits, proprietary keycaps, in-house switches, stabilizers, and related components. Its product portfolio spans multiple form factors — 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, and (forthcoming) 98% — including the Encore (65%), Sonnet (75%), Envoy (65%), Loop (TKL), Eighty (TKL), and SixtyFive (65%) models, with the Prologue 98% announced for Summer 2026. The technical core centers on proprietary mounting architectures — most notably the Crown Mounting System and the Lattice Block Mounting System — developed in-house to deliver tunable typing feel and acoustic profiles, combined with QMK/VIA firmware support for keymapping and hotswap PCBs for switch interchangeability.
The business operates on a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through modedesigns.com, supplemented by the Mode At Work corporate gifting program for bulk orders with custom engravings and optional assembly. Pricing is one-time unit purchase: keyboard kits range from $190 (Envoy) to $299+ (Encore), keycap sets at $59.99, and switches around $42-$50. Fulfillment runs through UPS Ground domestically and DHL Worldwide Express internationally, with free US shipping on orders over $500. The go-to-market is product-led and community-driven, with active engagement on Discord, Instagram, and YouTube, alongside a Notes blog and the externally hosted Keyboard Compendium for technical documentation.
The company is led by a small founder-led team (1-10 employees) including CEO Jaicob and Chief Design Officer Matthew, with functional leads covering manufacturing, customer experience, and product marketing. It is headquartered in Los Angeles with shipping operations in Massachusetts and California. No external funding rounds, acquisitions, or parent-company relationships are disclosed, indicating organic, self-funded growth within the mechanical keyboard enthusiast segment.
Mode Designs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mode Designs
- Legal name
- Mode Designs
- Website
- https://modedesigns.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Mode Designs designs and sells customizable DIY mechanical keyboard kits, proprietary keycaps, switches, and stabilizers through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, serving enthusiasts, professionals, and corporate gifting customers with premium, design-led hardware.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mode Designs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mechanical Keyboards
- NAICS
- Hardware Manufacturing (332510)
- SIC
- Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Keyboards & Keypads (HDACAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail (CRACAKAI), Modding, RGB Lighting & Aesthetics Components (HDACAGAL)
Keywords
Mode Designs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Keyboard Kit Sales: DIY keyboard kits sold as complete chassis with PCB, daughterboard, mounting hardware. Customers select layout, materials, and finishes. Core product category.
- Keycaps: Proprietary keycap sets in various colorways (Anthracite, Obscura, Lotus, Cacao, Monterey) using ABS/PBT blend with double-shot legends.
- Switches: In-house mechanical switches including Obscura Linear, Tomorrow Tactile, Anthracite Silent Tactile, and Lotus Linear variants.
- Components and Accessories: Stabilizers, plates, PCBs, foam kits, feet, accent pieces, and replacement parts for all keyboard models.
- Corporate/Event Sales: Bulk keyboard orders for corporate programs with optional engraving and assembly service. Keyboard building event experiences.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Encore 65% Keyboard Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sonnet 75% Keyboard Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Envoy 65% Keyboard Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Prologue 98% Keyboard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Keycap Sets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Obscura Linear Switches |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tomorrow Tactile Switches |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Anthracite Silent Tactile Switches |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mode Stabilizers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Mode Designs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mode Designs designs and sells build-it-yourself mechanical keyboard kits in multiple form factors (60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, 98%) along with proprietary keycap sets, mechanical switches, stabilizers, and replacement components. Products are sold as DIY kits where customers select layout, materials, plate options, and accessories, featuring proprietary mounting systems and QMK/VIA firmware support. The company also operates a corporate gifting and build-event program called Mode At Work.
Product overview
Mode Designs is a mechanical keyboard company offering a portfolio of customizable keyboard kits across multiple form factors (60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, 98%), keycap sets in various colorways (Cacao, Monterey, Obscura, Anthracite, Lotus), and proprietary switches (Obscura Linear, Tomorrow Tactile, Anthracite Silent Tactile, Lotus Linear). The core product line includes keyboard kits sold as build-it-yourself projects where customers select their preferred layout, materials, plate options, switches, and keycaps. Products feature proprietary mounting systems (Crown Mounting System, Lattice Block System) and support QMK/VIA firmware for customization. The company also offers a corporate gifting program (Mode At Work) and comprehensive build guides. All keyboards are designed in Los Angeles, California, and ship from Massachusetts and California, United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use Mode Designs
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mode Designs technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Mode Designs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DHL Worldwide ExpressoperationalInternational shipping partner for global order fulfillment. Used for most international orders outside the US.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mode Designs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NovelKeys: NovelKeys is an enthusiast retailer and brand selling mechanical keyboard kits, switches, and components — directly comparable to Mode's combination of proprietary switches, keycap sets, and customizable keyboard kits.
- Drop (formerly Massdrop): Drop operates a community-driven marketplace and house-brand mechanical keyboard line that directly competes with Mode on enthusiast kits, in-house switches, and group-buy dynamics. It targets the same hobbyist persona with overlapping keycap, switch, and kit offerings.
- Keychron: Keychron is a direct competitor offering customizable mechanical keyboards with QMK/VIA support, multiple layouts, and wireless connectivity. It targets a similar enthusiast and professional segment with comparable premium pricing and a comparable DTC-led, community-driven GTM model.
- Glorious (GMMK): Glorious sells modular mechanical keyboards (GMMK line) with hot-swap PCBs and customizable aesthetics — the most direct product analogue to Mode's DIY kits. It targets a similar enthusiast and gaming/prosumer audience with comparable build-your-own positioning.
- KBDfans: KBDfans designs and sells enthusiast mechanical keyboard kits, switches, and keycap sets with strong community engagement. Its premium custom kits and in-house parts directly overlap Mode's product portfolio and target customer.
- TKC (The Key Company): TKC designs and sells custom mechanical keyboard kits with premium materials and unique layouts. Its premium-positioned enthusiast kits directly overlap Mode's hardwood/aluminum, design-led positioning.
- CannonKeys: CannonKeys designs and sells enthusiast mechanical keyboards, switches, and keycap sets with a community-focused model. It targets the same hobbyist segment with overlapping layout coverage and QMK/VIA support.
- Wuque Studio: Wuque Studio is a premium custom keyboard maker known for high-end kits with innovative mounting systems — directly comparable to Mode's proprietary Crown and Lattice mounting technologies and premium pricing.
Broad incumbents
- Razer: Razer is a broad incumbent in gaming and productivity peripherals with mechanical keyboard lines. It overlaps Mode on the professional/creative and prosumer buyer but does not target the DIY enthusiast kit market directly.
- Logitech G: Logitech G is a broad incumbent offering mechanical gaming and productivity keyboards at scale. It competes for the professional/creative buyer Mode targets with Prologue but lacks enthusiast customization, hot-swap, and DIY kit positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mode Designs social profiles
Digital presenceMode Designs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mode Designs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Mode Designs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mode Designs 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 Mode Designs
What does Mode Designs do?
Mode Designs designs and sells build-it-yourself mechanical keyboard kits in multiple form factors (60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, 98%) along with proprietary keycap sets, mechanical switches, stabilizers, and replacement components. Products are sold as DIY kits where customers select layout, materials, plate options, and accessories, featuring proprietary mounting systems and QMK/VIA firmware support. The company also operates a corporate gifting and build-event program called Mode At Work.
Is Mode Designs a public or private company?
Mode Designs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Mode Designs founded?
Mode Designs was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does Mode Designs make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Keyboard Kit Sales are the primary driver. The others are keycaps, switches, components and Accessories and corporate/Event Sales.
Who are Mode Designs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NovelKeys, Drop (formerly Massdrop), Keychron, Glorious (GMMK), KBDfans, TKC (The Key Company), CannonKeys and Wuque Studio. Broad incumbents are Razer and Logitech G.
Does Mode Designs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mode Designs.
What industry is Mode Designs in?
Mode Designs's product category is Mechanical Keyboards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAFAA, Keyboards & Keypads, with a secondary code of CRACAKAI, Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail. Its NAICS code is 332510 and its SIC code is 3420.