What Georgia Tech Research does

Georgia Tech Research is the research enterprise of the Georgia Institute of Technology, a public R1 research university in Atlanta, Georgia, operating since 1885 (with applied research division GTRI founded in 1934). The organization conducts multi-disciplinary research spanning robotics, AI, advanced manufacturing, bioengineering, healthcare technology, environmental science, materials science, quantum technologies, and semiconductors, through 11 interdisciplinary research institutes, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) with 3,000+ employees across 8 laboratories and 20+ locations nationwide, and hundreds of labs and centers. Core outputs include research services, licensed technologies (microneedle drug delivery, hydrogel glaucoma treatment, Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod, Repār augmented reality solution), open-source AI tools (Diffusion-DFL, Transformer Explainer), and workforce development programs, with 500+ technologies advanced to market. GTRI alone performs more than $919 million in annual problem-solving research, contributing to a $5.8 billion statewide economic impact across 159 Georgia counties.

The business model is a hybrid of federal research grants and contracts (NSF, DOE, USDA, NIH, DOD, NASA, DARPA), state appropriations from the University System of Georgia, industry research partnerships with corporations, technology licensing, tuition, and venture investment through the Georgia Tech Research Impact Fund. The institution serves federal government agencies as the primary customer segment, with growing commercial relationships in automotive (Hyundai, GM), healthcare (Shriners Children's, Emory, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta), defense (U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman, Sandia), energy (Hanwha Qcells), aerospace (PBS Aerospace, NASA), and logistics (Norfolk Southern). Strategic partnerships include flagship relationships with Sandia National Laboratories ($35M+ cumulative since 2018), Hyundai Motor Group (multiyear hydrogen MOU), and Shriners Children's (150,000 sq ft pediatric research institute through 2029).

The organization has been ranked No. 2 in federally sponsored research expenditures and No. 7 globally in interdisciplinary science, with notable recent grants including $20M from NSF for the Nexus AI supercomputer, $20M from the U.S. Army for aluminum-to-hydrogen energy, $11.5M from NASA for AACES 2050 aircraft research, and multiple NSF CAREER awards. The institution also operates an investment syndicate that has funded startups such as Sanguina, and recently opened the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility described as the nation's first university-based self-driving manufacturing lab.

Name

Georgia Tech Research

Legal name

Georgia Institute of Technology

Website

https://research.gatech.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Georgia Tech Research is the research enterprise of Georgia Institute of Technology, conducting multi-disciplinary applied and basic research across AI, robotics, healthcare, defense, energy, and manufacturing through GTRI and 11 interdisciplinary institutes, serving federal agencies and commercial partners with $919M+ in annual research volume.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Space Research and Technology (927)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities (EDAHAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC), Flagship Public Research Universities (R1/R2) (EDAHAAAA), Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI), Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers (HDAGAMAM)

Keywords

• Applied research services
• Federal research contracts
• Technology licensing
• Advanced manufacturing research
• Interdisciplinary research collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants and Contracts: Primary revenue stream from federal agencies including NSF, DOE, USDA, NIH, DOD, NASA, and DARPA funding research programs across all disciplines
2. State Appropriations: State of Georgia funding supporting university operations and strategic research initiatives
3. Industry Research Partnerships: Corporate sponsors funding specific research projects, often with intellectual property arrangements
4. Technology Licensing: Commercialization of research discoveries through licensing agreements with companies, generating 500+ technologies advancing to market
5. Tuition and Fees: Student enrollment revenue supporting educational programs and indirectly funding research activities
6. Venture Investment: Investment syndicate funding for startups commercializing Georgia Tech research including Sanguina and other health tech ventures

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Georgia Tech Research conducts basic and applied research across multiple disciplines—robotics, AI, advanced manufacturing, bioengineering, healthcare, defense, energy, quantum, and semiconductors—through its seven colleges, eleven interdisciplinary research institutes, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Enterprise Innovation Institute, and hundreds of labs. GTRI alone performs $919+ million in problem-solving research annually for government and industry across eight laboratories at more than 20 nationwide locations, with 500+ technologies advanced to market.

Product overview

Georgia Tech Research (primarily through its applied research division Georgia Tech Research Institute - GTRI) offers a portfolio of research services, licensed technologies, and collaborative programs rather than a unified commercial product suite. Key offerings include: microneedle drug delivery technology and hydrogel glaucoma treatment (both licensed for clinical use), smart fabric sensor bedsheets for healthcare monitoring, the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod for military applications, hydrogen mobility testbed infrastructure, RepĀR™ augmented reality for aircraft maintenance, DopFone smartphone ultrasound app, and the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways educational program. These range from FDA-approved medical technologies to defense systems to workforce development initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Microneedle Drug Delivery Technology Hollow microneedle approximately 1 millimeter long that delivers medication into the suprachoroidal space within the eye, enabling targeted drug delivery for inflammatory eye disease treatment with effects lasting six months to a full year. Developed by Mark Prausnitz with support from the National Eye Institute and Georgia Research Alliance; licensed to Clearside Biomedical.
• Hydrogel for Glaucoma Treatment Natural and biodegradable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel injected into the suprachoroidal space to create an alternate drainage pathway for excess eye fluid, offering a non-drug, non-surgical long-acting therapy for glaucoma. Co-inventors include J. Jeremy Chae, Jae Hwan Jung, Ross Ethier, and Mark Prausnitz with patent filing pending.
• Smart Fabric Sensor Bedsheets Sensor-embedded bedsheets placed under the fitted sheet that send real-time data to an app monitoring pressure and moisture levels to help prevent pressure injuries (bedsores) in vulnerable patients. Currently piloted at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's pediatric intensive care unit with planned expansion to 50 cribs.
• Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pod Agile, reprogrammable electronic warfare system originally developed by GTRI and the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division as a Navy training threat simulator, evolved into an operational offensive jamming tool used on F-16s in Operation Epic Fury. Features rapid updates and adaptation to changing threats.
• Hydrogen Mobility Testbed Campus-based hydrogen mobility testbed developed through Hyundai Motor Group partnership including donation of four NEXO fuel cell electric SUVs and a hydrogen electrolyzer project at Georgia Tech's North Avenue Research Area. Supports interdisciplinary research in engineering, sustainability, energy systems, and public policy.
• Repār Augmented Reality Solution Augmented reality solution for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations developed by Georgia Tech's Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) in partnership with PartWorks. Embeds spatial awareness and real-time validation into maintenance workflows under multiyear Air Force Research Lab contract.
• DopFone Mobile App Mobile application that turns any smartphone into a fetal heart rate monitor using Doppler radar technology, emitting low-pitched ultrasound to detect reflected signals from a fetal heartbeat. Developed by Assistant Professor Alex Adams; clinically tested on 23 patients with accuracy within clinical standard range.
• Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (AMP) Program K-12 initiative by Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and GTRI bringing modern manufacturing tools, techniques, and opportunities into rural classrooms through hands-on projects like building custom race cars. Combines CAD design, 3D printing, machining, Python, and AI for race day predictions.
• Transformer Explainer Free online interactive visualization tool that helps non-experts understand how large language models process language through interactive visualization of underlying mathematical processes. Reached 150,000 users in first three months and over 563,000 users worldwide.
• Diffusion-DFL AI Model Decision-focused learning AI using diffusion model technology for more accurate decisions across manufacturing, energy grid scheduling, and financial portfolio optimization, achieving 99.7% reduction in GPU memory requirements during training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31.6% energy consumption reduction potential for oil refining with new membrane technology
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability15 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Hanwha QcellsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Georgia Tech Research Institute selected Hanwha Qcells' perovskite-based tandem solar cells for NASA's SSTEF-1 lunar solar power demonstration project. Hanwha developed technology at R&D center in Thalheim, Germany, and became first in world to receive IEC certification for in-house developed perovskite tandem solar module.
• KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026International research collaboration led by KAIST with Georgia Tech to develop membrane technology that separates crude oil at room temperature. Membrane achieved 23x higher permeation rates than state-of-the-art with potential to reduce energy consumption by 31.6% and carbon emissions by 37.6%.
• Shriners Children'sflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Partnership to bridge gap between pediatric research and patient care through new 150,000-square-foot research institute at Science Square, with phased development through 2029. Focus areas include robotic exoskeletons, 3D-printed bone grafts, and augmented reality surgical tools.
• Hyundai Motor GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026Multiyear MOU to advance hydrogen mobility solutions on campus. Hyundai Motor North America donated four NEXO fuel cell electric SUVs and funded hydrogen electrolyzer project at Georgia Tech's North Avenue Research Area. Partnership supports interdisciplinary research in engineering, sustainability, energy systems, and public policy while reinforcing Hyundai's regional presence in Georgia.
• Bald Head Island ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Research fund and partnership combining BHIC's field-based conservation work with Georgia Tech's technology and data analysis expertise through graduate student research projects for coastal sustainability.
• Sandia National LaboratoriesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Renewed MOU for partnership spanning hypersonics, bioscience, AI, quantum technologies, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, energy and grid resilience. Since 2018, Sandia has sponsored $35 million in research collaborations with 450 co-authored publications. Partnership includes joint faculty appointments and expanded student talent pipeline.
• NASAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025NASA awarded $11.5 million to Georgia Tech and other organizations to study revolutionary aircraft designs and propulsion technologies under AACES 2050 initiative. Research focuses on LNG as future aviation fuel with potential 70% emissions reduction.
• PBS AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025PBS Aerospace established first U.S. manufacturing facility in Roswell, GA partnering with Georgia Tech's Zinn Combustion Laboratory for engine testing, fuel efficiency research, and materials optimization. Company plans to produce thousands of engines by 2026 for small drones and munitions.
• Aegis AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Managing NASA's SSTEF-1 lunar solar power demonstration project with Georgia Tech Research Institute selecting Hanwha Qcells' solar cells for the space technology program.
• Emory HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Partnership providing Georgia Tech student-athletes access to Emory Healthcare's full range of healthcare services including sports medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, and athletic trainers.
• Northrop GrummancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2025Collaboration with Georgia Tech Research Institute and University of Wisconsin-Madison developing new magnetometer approach using electron spins in alkali atoms for quantum sensing in inertial navigation systems without GPS dependency.
• Neuromeka (South Korea)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025South Korean robotics company partnering with Georgia Tech researchers Sehoon Ha and Jennifer G. Kim on AI systems for humanoid medical robot assistant. Project backed by five-year, 10 billion won (~$7.2M) government grant.
• PartWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2025PartWorks developing RepĀR augmented reality solution for aircraft maintenance with Georgia Tech's Institute for People and Technology under multiyear contract with Air Force Research Lab.
• NSF AI Research Institute for Advances in OptimizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Collaboration supporting AIHUB@CAU center dedicated to AI literacy, workforce inclusion, and innovation for underserved communities in Atlanta.
• Clark Atlanta University AI HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2024$2.79M NSF grant to establish AI Hub at Clark Atlanta University in collaboration with Georgia Tech's AI4OPT to enhance AI education, research, and workforce development at minority-serving institutions.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MIT Lincoln Laboratory: Federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) operated by MIT, conducting applied research for national security, similar to GTRI's government-focused applied research division. Both perform multi-disciplinary problem-solving research for DOD and other federal agencies.
• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL): University-affiliated research center (UARC) under Johns Hopkins, performing applied research for national security and space exploration. Comparable to GTRI in operating model (university-affiliated, defense-heavy, multi-disciplinary) and customer base (DOD, NASA, intelligence community).
• SRI International: Independent nonprofit research institute originally spun out of Stanford, performing contract R&D across AI, biosciences, defense, and advanced technologies. Directly comparable as a multi-disciplinary research organization generating licensing revenue and IP, similar to Georgia Tech's commercialization pipeline.
• RTI International: Independent nonprofit research institute performing contract R&D for government and industry across health, energy, and advanced technologies. Comparable business model to GTRI's applied research division, with similar funding mix and client base.
• Carnegie Mellon University Research: R1 research university with strong programs in AI, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and engineering—overlapping research domains with Georgia Tech. Comparable as a peer R1 with similar federal funding mix and interdisciplinary research institute structure.
• Purdue University Research: R1 public research university with strong federally funded engineering, aerospace, and defense research. Competes with Georgia Tech for NSF, DOD, and NASA awards in engineering and applied sciences.

Broad incumbents

• Battelle Memorial Institute: Largest nonprofit applied science and technology organization in the world, managing multiple national labs for the DOE and DOD. Comparable in scale and federal contract dependence, with broader portfolio across healthcare, energy, and national security.
• Sandia National Laboratories: DOE/NNSA national lab focused on national security R&D including hypersonics and nuclear weapons engineering. Both a major research partner of Georgia Tech ($35M sponsored research) and a comparable performer of federally funded applied science for defense and energy.
• RAND Corporation: Nonprofit research institution performing policy analysis and applied research for U.S. government agencies. Comparable as a large, mission-driven research organization with deep federal sponsor relationships and interdisciplinary research focus.
• Stanford Research (via Stanford University / SLAC): Elite R1 research university operating SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and major applied research programs. Comparable in federally funded research scale, commercialization pipeline, and interdisciplinary research institute structure, though larger endowment and broader research portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GTResearchNews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyAM_Yoac4NSCs077_j_bzQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/research-at-georgia-tech
• Instagraminstagram.com/georgiatechresearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/GeorgiaTechResearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Tech Research