As the new micro:bit is announced, electronics company signs deals for its range of BBC micro:bit project kits and resources to be sold by leading tech e-commerce websites in the UK and America.
Kitronik, the Nottingham based electronics and educational technology company that supplies its products to schools and makers across the world, has announced the signing of two significant distribution deals with leading tech companies in the UK and America.
The company was one of the partner organisations in the BBC micro:bit campaign, the initiative which saw 1 million micro:bits (a pocket sized computer similar to the Raspberry Pi) distributed to Year 7 school children across the UK in 2015. Since then, Kitronik has become one of Europe’s leading developers of BBC micro:bit accessories, project kits and lesson plans, supporting teachers and coding clubs across the world in the delivery of innovative and engaging activities.
Now, to coincide with the new micro:bit being released, a selection of Kitronik’s BBC micro:bit range will be stocked on two leading tech websites – OKDO and Adafruit.
OKDO, a London based technology firm and website, works with the world’s best technology companies to bring people new products, innovations and services. Adafruit, is a US based company which was established in 2005 to create the premier place online for learning electronics and to produce the best designed products for makers of all ages and skill levels. Founded by tech guru Limor Fried, who was the first female engineer on the cover of WIRED magazine and who has also received the prestigious award of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Adafruit has grown in the last ten years to employ 100 staff in the heart of New York city.
Being listed on both sites is a significant development for Kitronik, as the company’s co-founder Kevin Spurr explains: “Both OKDO and Adafruit pride themselves on stocking the best tech products in the world, in fact, the products on Adafruit’s site are still personally selected by its founder Limor Fried, so it’s a huge achievement for our products to be listed. Interest in the micro:bit will be raised now the second version has been released, so we are hopeful that being listed on two such high profile sites will help further increase awareness of our company and products.”
“The deals also expand our distribution network and raise awareness of Kitronik which will help us reach new customers, especially in America. We signed a deal with leading US distributor Digi-Key in 2018 and are keen to build on the success of that deal. The US market is a focus growth area for us, so being listed on Adafruit will further support our expansion in this key market and be a great showcase for our products.”
Headquartered in Nottingham, Kitronik was established in 2005 by electronics experts Geoff Hampson and Kevin Spurr. For over 15 years, the company has been committed to developing project kits and resources to inspire young people to become interested in electronics and coding. The company is global distribution partner for the micro:bit Educational Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation set up in 2016 that aims to expand the use of the device across the globe.