Robotics Startup Makeblock Raises Over $30M in Series B Funding
Makeblock, the STEM education and robotics startup, recently announced it has closed a $30 million Series B funding round at a $200 million valuation led by Evolution Media China and Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd. The funding supports Makeblock’s expansion into new markets, further product development and diversification of STEM education hardware, software and curriculum resources for educators, children and hobbyists.
Founded in 2011 (founded as a company in 2013), Makeblock is a leading DIY robotics construction and programming learning platform for makers, hobbyists, STEM learners, and educators. Makeblock provides over 500 mechanical parts and easy-to-use electronic modules, graphical programming software, and courses to easily turn ideas into reality. Having delighted over 1,000,000 makers, students and educators in over 140 countries and still growing, Makeblock is one of the top robotics companies making a difference, with the aim to open the field to people of all skill levels.
Makeblock will expand its global footprint with new offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, North America, Japan, and the Netherlands. Makeblock is available in more than 140 countries with 1,600 channel partners, and 20,000 schools and educational organizations implementing Makeblock’s products into their educational curriculum.
“We’re excited to support Makeblock at this pivotal point in their growth as they continue to elevate STEM education to a new level” said Jason Ding, President at EMC. “STEM education is the next industry to experience deep disruption, following in the footsteps of the mobile, IoT and virtual reality industries. Over the past few years, Makeblock has been leading the charge in creating STEM education products in the classroom and at home. We believe this is just the beginning of their path to transforming education.
“Our goal is to get Makeblock in every school, home and creative space to give anyone, at any age the ability to be a creator or inventor,” said Founder and CEO Jasen Wang
Makeblock will expand its global footprint with new offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, North America, Japan, and the Netherlands. Makeblock is available in more than 140 countries with 1,600 channel partners, and 20,000 schools and educational organizations implementing Makeblock’s products into their educational curriculum.
“We’re excited to support Makeblock at this pivotal point in their growth as they continue to elevate STEM education to a new level” said Jason Ding, President at EMC. “STEM education is the next industry to experience deep disruption, following in the footsteps of the mobile, IoT and virtual reality industries. Over the past few years, Makeblock has been leading the charge in creating STEM education products in the classroom and at home. We believe this is just the beginning of their path to transforming education.
“Creation is happening everywhere at an explosive rate. From schools using Makeblock to teaching STEM concepts, to tech giants like Microsoft, Intel, Apple Education tapping Makeblock to unleash creativity in the classroom, down to parents at home trying to aid in their child’s education, the true power of Makeblock is to inspire creation,” said Founder and CEO Jasen Wang, “Our goal is to get Makeblock in every school, home and creative space to give anyone, at any age the ability to be a creator or inventor.”
Additionally, the funding will support the launch of Makeblock’s first annual robotics competition later in 2017, which will encourage students to compete with their creative projects using the Makeblock platform. This competition is in support of Premier Li Keqiang’s “Thirteenth Five Year Plan” on education announced in 2016.
Makeblock’s latest products, Airblock, a modular STEM drone that raised $830,000 in December 2016 on Kickstarter, will be available for purchase in retail stores starting May 2017, and Neuron, the new product Makeblock also announced via Kickstarter in March– a programmable electronic blocks platform for open-ended gadget building, which raised over $100,000 in less than 12 hours.
About Makeblock
Makeblock Co., Ltd is a robotics startup from Shenzhen established in 2013. Its main brand Makeblock, founded in 2011, is a leading DIY robotics construction and STEM education platform for makers, hobbyists, STEM learners, and educators. Makeblock empowers people to turn ideas into reality by providing STEM Kits, Tech Kits, DIY Kits, a building block platform of over 500 mechanical parts, and easy-to-use electronic modules, graphical programming software, and online and offline courses.
For more information, follow @Makeblock on Facebook, @Makeblock on Twitter or visit https://www.makeblock.com.cn.
Kids and Tech: Using Technology as an Education Tool
Programming and coding might sound complicated and difficult to practice especially for people who are not familiar with the field. But there are multiple ways programming can be integrated into teachings and learnings for people who have never tried it before and even kids at a young age.
Makeblock Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2021
NEW YORK (March 9, 2021) - Makeblock has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2021. The list...
Makeblock set to support teachers, parents and students with STEAM and Computer Science lessons from home.
The nationwide closure of schools poses unprecedented challenges for teachers, parents and students across the globe. In an effort to support parents and teachers who are making this transition to at-home learning Makeblock is...
Makeblock Supports Research on STEAM Education at The University of Tokyo
Today, Professor Yuhei Yamauchi Laboratory, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies at The University of Tokyo, has announced that it will start a research on STEAM education (hereinafter referred to as “this research”) from April 2020...
Makeblock Announced STEAM On Board Global Program at BETT, Expected to Reach 10,000 Schools in 2020
On Jan 22, Makeblock, the global STEAM education solution provider, showcased at BETT London together with 800 leading educational companies. At Bett, Makeblock announced its strategic global program STEAM On Board that it will concentrate on building up an...
Media Interview with Makeblock’s Japan Country Manager Hiroshi Kikuchi
On the left is Mami Higashino, who is responsible for marketing and public relations, and was previously working at the venture capital, “500 Startups Japan” to create an entrepreneurial community. She fell in love with the Shenzhen startup community and joined...
Makeblock Showcased Cutting-edge Technology at 2019 Shanghai International STEAM Education Expo
Dec 12, Makeblock brought its all-age STEAM products and education solution to 2019 Shanghai International STEAM education Expo. Makeblock CEO & founder Jasen Wang was invited to give a speech on today’s education and discuss the potential direction where...
IE University Vice-President, CUHK Dean Visited Makeblock’s Headquarter in Shenzhen, Exchanging Innovations in Edtech
Nov 27th, Vice-president for External Relations of IE university Gonzalo Garland, Regional Director of IE Greater China Office Alex Buriel and Senior Associate Dean of CUHK Michael J. Ferguson visited Makeblock’s headquarter in Shenzhen. By discussing STEAM education...
Makeblock Global Distributor Conference Brought Together 100 Distributor Participants from 30 Countries to Exchange Prospects for 2020
30th November, Makeblock held its Global Distributor Conference in Guangzhou to provide an open dialogue and communication platform for Makeblock business worldwide. Over 100 distributor participants from 30 different countries attended the conference and showed their...
450 Teams from 60 Countries Participating in 2019 MakeX Robotics Competition, Marking it World Top 3 STEAM Competition
2019 Makeblock MakeX Robotics Competition World Championship kicked off in Guangzhou Asian Games Town Gymnasium. From Nov. 29-Dec.1, 450 teams from 60 countries, namely 2,500 teachers and students, fought with their robots to win the final bonus pool of over $70,000,...