Making Competitive Robotics Accessible
Our mission is to empower FIRST Tech Challenge teams of all backgrounds and experience levels by providing affordable access to quality robotics components, comprehensive educational resources, and expert mentorship. We believe that financial limitations or lack of technical expertise should never prevent talented, passionate students from competing at the highest levels.
By combining e-commerce excellence with educational support, we're creating a platform that doesn't just sell parts—it actively helps teams learn, grow, and succeed. Every feature we build, every component we stock, and every piece of content we create is designed with one goal: helping students discover their potential through competitive robotics.
The Next 5-10 Years
Within 5-10 years, TechForge Robotics aims to become the most trusted and comprehensive partner for competitive student robotics worldwide.
Global Expansion
From our current base in the United States and Canada, we're planning to expand into all countries where FTC has a presence, bringing our platform's benefits to teams worldwide.
Educational Platform
We want to be known not just as a supplier, but as an essential educational platform that has helped launch thousands of students into successful STEM careers.
Trusted Partner
Our goal is to become the go-to resource that teams turn to first—whether they need components, advice, or inspiration for their next build.
Why TechForge Exists
The Scattered Supplier Problem
FTC teams traditionally struggle with a fragmented supplier landscape. Ordering from multiple vendors drives up shipping costs, causes delays, and creates unnecessary complexity. Teams spend valuable time researching compatibility instead of building and learning.
The Technical Knowledge Gap
Not all teams have access to experienced mentors or technical guidance. New teams and those from underfunded schools face a steep learning curve, often making costly mistakes that could have been avoided with proper support.
The Affordability Barrier
Competitive robotics can be expensive. High-end retailers serve advanced teams well, but newer teams and those with limited budgets need more accessible options that don't sacrifice quality or performance.
How We're Different
FTC-Focused Expertise
Unlike general robotics suppliers, we focus exclusively on FTC. This deep specialization means we understand the program inside and out, anticipate seasonal needs, and maintain strong community connections.
Commerce + Education
We integrate shopping with learning. Our platform includes tutorial content, build guides, and community forums right alongside product pages, turning every purchase into a learning opportunity.
House-Brand Innovation
Our house-brand components fill specific market gaps where existing options are either too expensive or poorly designed for student use, providing quality alternatives at accessible price points.
Community-Driven
We learn from each season's trends and team feedback, creating a positive cycle where community engagement leads to better service, attracting more teams and strengthening our platform.
Verified Compatibility
Every product is carefully selected and verified for FTC compatibility. We take the guesswork out of purchasing decisions and show how our components work with products from other retailers.
Mentor Network
Our "Ask a Mentor" feature connects teams with experienced FTC alumni and engineers who provide free guidance on component selection and system design when teams need it most.
What Drives Us
Accessibility
Every team deserves access to quality components and expert guidance, regardless of budget or background.
Quality
We never compromise on component quality or educational content. Teams trust us with their competitive success.
Community
We're built by the FTC community, for the FTC community. Your success is our success.
Innovation
We continuously improve our platform, develop new solutions, and stay ahead of the competition season's evolving needs.
Meet Our Founders
TechForge Robotics was founded by former FTC competitors and mentors who experienced these challenges firsthand and decided to build the platform they wished existed.
Alex Lee
Co-Founder & CEO
Former FTC World Championship competitor with 6 years of competitive robotics experience. Mechanical Engineering graduate passionate about making STEM accessible.
Maya Rodriguez
Co-Founder & CTO
FTC mentor for 8 teams and software engineer specializing in educational technology. Computer Science graduate committed to tech education equity.
Join Our Mission
Be part of the movement to make competitive robotics accessible to all teams.