Hands-on Science Ab

What Hands-on Science Ab does

Hands-On Science AB is a Swedish educational supplies distributor operating an e-commerce storefront (hos.se) and a complementary educational blog (hospedagogen.com) from its headquarters in Bromma, Stockholm. The company sells a catalog of more than 4,248 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) products organized by Swedish school level — preschool through lower/middle school (Förskola, Låg- & Mellanstadiet) and upper secondary/gymnasium (Högstadiet & Gymnasiet) — and by subject area (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, programming, robotics, and digital fabrication). The assortment includes branded kits such as LEGO Education (SPIKE, BricQ, WeDo, DUPLO), Flashforge 3D printers and accessories, Mayku vacuum forming equipment, and a broad range of educational robotics platforms (micro:bit, Arduino, Makeblock, Sphero, Bee-Bot, KUBO, Ozobot, Thymio, Strawbees), together with conventional lab apparatus, microscopes, sensors, dataloggers, green screen and AV equipment, and teaching aids.

The business model is a hybrid direct-to-consumer e-commerce operation with both B2B and B2C channels. Institutional buyers (Swedish schools, preschools, and companies) can register accounts with customer numbers, multiple delivery addresses, and electronic invoicing for procurement, while private individuals can purchase at fixed unit prices shown in SEK with toggles between VAT-inclusive and VAT-exclusive pricing. Products are sold on a one-time, pay-as-you-go basis with no subscription model. The company supplements the storefront with content marketing through hospedagogen.com and social media channels (LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, newsletter) aimed at Swedish educators.

The company is registered as a Swedish private limited company (AB), is independently owned with no disclosed parent or institutional investor, and operates exclusively within Sweden. It holds an authorized reseller relationship with LEGO Education and distributes products from multiple other brands (Flashforge, Makeblock, Sphero, etc.) without disclosed exclusive supply agreements. There is no disclosed headcount, revenue, funding history, or M&A activity in the source data.

Name

Hands-on Science Ab

Legal name

Hands-On Science Ab

Website

https://hos.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hands-On Science AB is a Swedish e-commerce distributor of STEM educational supplies (4,248+ SKUs) for preschools, primary/secondary schools, and gymnasiums, selling branded kits including LEGO Education, Flashforge 3D printers, and educational robotics platforms via hos.se to schools, companies, and private individuals in Sweden.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Science Supplies

NAICS

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAIAC

Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Education Supplies, Equipment & Furniture Procurement

SECONDARYEDAMABAA

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYEDAMADAN

Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces

SECONDARYCRACAKAG

Soldering, Rework & Electronics Hand Tools Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Electronics Parts, Components & DIY Maker Retail

Keywords

• Educational science supplies
• STEM lab equipment
• School science materials
• Educational robotics kits
• STEAM classroom products

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Direct e-commerce sales of educational science and technology products including lab equipment, robotics, 3D printers, sensors, and teaching materials to Swedish schools and educators. Products are sold at fixed prices in SEK with both B2B (schools/companies) and B2C (private individuals) channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hands-On Science is a Swedish e-commerce retailer selling educational science and technology products to schools and educators. Through its website hos.se, the company offers more than 4,200 products across biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, programming/robotics, and technology for all Swedish school levels from preschool through gymnasium. The catalog includes lab equipment, microscopes, sensors, dataloggers, 3D printers, LEGO Education kits, and teaching aids.

Product overview

Hands-On Science is a Swedish educational supplies retailer operating an e-commerce platform (hos.se) that offers a comprehensive portfolio of over 4,000 science and educational products for Swedish schools from preschool through gymnasium. The core offering spans two main product lines organized by educational level: Förskola, Låg- & Mellanstadiet (preschool through middle school) and Högstadiet & Gymnasiet (upper secondary). The portfolio includes branded sub-categories such as LEGO Education products (SPIKE Prime, SPIKE Essential, BricQ, DUPLO), Flashforge 3D printers and accessories, and diverse programming/robotics platforms (micro:bit, Arduino, Makeblock, Sphero, Bee-Bot/Blue-Bot, KUBO). Supporting product categories cover lab equipment (microscopes, sensors, dataloggers, chemistry/physics apparatus), digital tools (document cameras, projectors, green screen), and teaching aids (games, puzzles, books). The company positions itself as a one-stop supplier for STEM education materials, targeting Swedish schools, educators, and preschool teachers through both an online store and a physical/contact-based ordering system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• hospedagogen.com: Blog offering tips, materials, and educator training in programming and creative making

Products and services

• Science Education Products for Preschool, Lower & Middle School Comprehensive range of educational products for preschool through middle school covering biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, programming, and technology, including age-appropriate science kits, lab equipment, digital products, and teaching materials.
• Science Education Products for Upper Secondary & Gymnasium Advanced educational products for upper secondary and gymnasium levels including detailed biology, chemistry, physics equipment, sensors, dataloggers, 3D printers, programming platforms, and specialized lab apparatus.
• LEGO Education Products

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LEGO EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHands-On Science is an authorized reseller of LEGO Education products, offering the full range of LEGO Education educational robotics and building kits for schools. Products include LEGO Education SPIKE, BricQ, WeDo, and LEGO Technic components, sensors, and accessories for educational settings.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Farnell / element14: Global distributor of electronic components, development boards (Arduino, micro:bit, Raspberry Pi), and test/measurement instruments with strong education vertical. Competes for Hands-On Science's maker/programming business at scale.
• Conrad Electronic: Large European electronics and DIY/maker retailer with broad catalog including soldering tools, microcontrollers, sensors, and lab-adjacent components. Overlaps with Hands-On Science's electronics/physics product lines but operates at much broader scale.

Direct peers

• TTS Group: UK-based educational supplies company with a strong STEM and science focus, selling lab equipment, robotics, and computing products directly to schools through catalogs and e-commerce. Closest international analogue to Hands-On Science's curriculum-aligned specialist retailer model.
• Hope Education: UK school supplies specialist with broad subject coverage and e-commerce plus print-catalog channels serving primary and secondary schools. Highly comparable operating model and customer base to Hands-On Science.
• Lekolar: Nordic educational supplies distributor serving preschools, schools, and municipalities across Sweden and neighboring countries. Comparable in serving institutional education buyers with curriculum-organized catalogs.
• Timstar: UK-based supplier of science and STEM educational equipment for schools, offering lab apparatus, microscopes, sensors, and physics/chemistry gear via catalogs and online. Directly comparable in product mix to Hands-On Science's lab equipment portfolio.
• Breckland Scientific: UK-based science education supplier focused on school and college lab equipment, microscopes, chemistry kits, and STEM resources. Comparable mid-sized specialist in the same niche as Hands-On Science.

Emerging players

• SparkFun Electronics: US-based maker/education electronics retailer with deep educator resources and STEM-focused curriculum kits. Partial overlap with Hands-On Science's programming/robotics category via direct-to-school sales.

Regional players

• AVS Skolmöbler: Swedish school furniture and equipment supplier serving municipalities and schools. Comparable domestic institutional channel to Hands-On Science but focused on furniture/classroom equipment rather than science consumables.
• Elfa Distrelec: Nordic electronics and maintenance distributor (Elfa in Sweden, Distrelec across Europe) selling components, measurement tools, and automation gear. Adjacent competitor for Hands-On Science's electronics and physics equipment sales in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/Handsonsciences
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCT26HQlZfx3cmid3gi_4hnQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/handsonsciences
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hands-on-science-ab

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 Hands-on Science Ab