Draper
Draper is a Cambridge, MA-based nonprofit engineering R&D company serving U.S. national security and biomedical customers across Strategic Systems, Space Systems, Electronic Systems, and Biotechnology Systems, including Navy Trident guidance, Sentinel ICBM support, NASA lunar lander prime contracting, and the PREDICT96 microphysiological platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Draper does
Draper (The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.) is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based nonprofit engineering research and development company that designs, prototypes, and deploys advanced technology for U.S. national security customers, with a stated legacy of more than 90 years and origins tracing to MIT instrumentation work. The company is organized around four mission areas — Strategic Systems (Navy Trident guidance, Air Force Sentinel ICBM support), Space Systems (NASA lunar lander prime contracting, GN&C, sensing), Electronic Systems (microelectronics design and advanced packaging, GN&C solutions, decision analytics, ISP secure processor), and Biotechnology Systems (the PREDICT96 microphysiological platform, LEAP growth-adaptive pediatric heart valve, biodefense, bioprocessing). Technical differentiation rests on multidisciplinary engineering talent, decades of cleared-facility and cleared-personnel certifications enabling classified work, 25+ years of accumulated microphysiological systems IP, and a growing four-layer Human Data Stack that combines EMR, donated organ, biopsy, and PREDICT96 data into AI/ML-driven in silico drug safety and effectiveness models.
Draper's commercial model is overwhelmingly direct U.S. government contracting: it serves as both prime contractor and subcontractor on cost-reimbursement and other-transaction agreements with the Department of Defense, NASA, ARPA-H, and BARDA, and it operates 12 facilities across eight states plus Washington D.C. supporting more than 2,500\u20132,600 employees. Ancillary channels include the DraperSPARX platform for small-business defense tech adoption, the Draper Scholars Program (17 partner universities, 1,300+ alumni since 1973), the NEMC advisory role for ASIC design and MPW readiness, and sponsored capstone and research collaborations. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; recent disclosed federal inflows include up to $26.7M from ARPA-H CATALYST (Feb 2026), $3M from ARPA-H (Nov 2024), and $26M from BARDA (Nov 2023), alongside ongoing support for Navy SSP, Sentinel ICBM, and NASA CLPS work. As a nonprofit, Draper reinvests surplus into R&D and facility capacity, with no equity holders and no parent company.
Draper firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Draper
- Legal name
- The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
- Website
- https://draper.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Draper is a Cambridge, MA-based nonprofit engineering R&D company serving U.S. national security and biomedical customers across Strategic Systems, Space Systems, Electronic Systems, and Biotechnology Systems, including Navy Trident guidance, Sentinel ICBM support, NASA lunar lander prime contracting, and the PREDICT96 microphysiological platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Draper industry classification
Industry- Product category
- National Security and Defense Engineering R&D
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reentry, Descent & Landing Systems (Capsules, Heat Shields, Parachutes) (IMABACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF), Structural Heart Valves (TAVR/SAVR) & Valve Repair (HLAHAFAB)
Keywords
Where Draper is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
Draper business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government R&D Contracts: Draper generates revenue primarily through research and development contracts with U.S. federal government agencies, including the Department of Defense, NASA, and ARPA-H. These are typically cost-reimbursement or other transaction agreements for advanced technology development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government contract-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Draper product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Draper is a nonprofit research, development, and engineering company that designs, develops, and deploys advanced technological solutions for U.S. national security, space, and public health missions. It delivers multidisciplinary engineering products and services across Strategic Systems (missile guidance, nuclear deterrence), Space Systems (lunar landers, GN&C), Electronic Systems (microelectronics, secure processors, decision solutions), and Biotechnology Systems (PREDICT96 organ-on-chip, LEAP valve, microfluidics, biodefense) to DoD, NASA, ARPA-H, and other federal customers.
Product overview
Draper is a nonprofit research and development company delivering advanced technological solutions across four mission areas: Biotechnology Systems, Electronic Systems, Strategic Systems, and Space Systems. The product portfolio centers on the PREDICT96 microphysiological system (MPS) for drug discovery and disease modeling, complemented by the LEAP pediatric heart valve, microfluidic platforms, and bioprocessing systems in biotechnology. Electronic Systems include microelectronics design and packaging, GN&C (guidance, navigation, and control) solutions, the ISP secure processor, and decision analytics. Strategic Systems encompasses Navy and Air Force strategic weapons support including Sentinel ICBM. Space Systems include lunar lander development, navigation systems (DMEN), and sensor technologies. The DraperSPARX platform supports startup partnerships for defense technology adoption. These products work together to serve national security, healthcare, and scientific research missions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PREDICT96 Microphysiological System (MPS) Draper's flagship high-throughput microphysiological system that evaluates functioning human cells in a multi-cellular environment under physiologic flow for drug discovery, toxicity testing, disease modeling, and precision medicine applications. Used by federal health and biomedical research customers as an alternative to animal testing.
- LEAP Valve (Low-force Expanding/Adaptable Pediatric) Pediatric heart valve featuring a unique stent design that acts like a low-force spring, allowing it to adapt diameter from 7-14mm as infants and young children grow, reducing the need for multiple surgical replacements. Developed for U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity and pediatric cardiovascular research customers.
- Microfluidic ECMO Microfluidic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system that mimics human blood pathways for improved oxygenation in clinical and research applications.
- End-to-end Bioprocessing System Integrated bioprocessing system for manufacturing biological products, leveraging Draper's microfluidic and biodefense expertise.
- Biodefense Systems Biodefense capabilities including pathogen detection, biosecurity applications, and threat countermeasures for national security and public health customers such as BARDA.
- Microelectronics Capabilities Microelectronics design and packaging services including ASIC design, MPW (multi-project wafer) readiness, and advanced packaging solutions for defense and aerospace customers.
- Advanced Packaging Solutions Advanced microelectronics packaging services including the Rapid Prototyping Center in St. Petersburg, FL for accelerating technology commercialization and supporting trusted defense electronics supply chains.
- GN&C (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Solutions Guidance, navigation, and control solutions including assured positioning, navigation and timing (APNT), inertial measurement, and alternative navigation for maritime, space, and defense operations.
- Decision Solutions Decision support and analytics solutions for defense and strategic systems applications, including AI-enabled mission planning and decision-making.
- NASA CP-12 Lunar Lander Mission NASA task order for Draper's role as prime contractor on a U.S. lunar mission targeting Schr\u00f6dinger's Basin at the Moon's south pole, including GN&C, sensors, and lander integration.
- Sentinel ICBM Support Engineering and technical support for the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program, including guidance systems and strategic deterrence capabilities for U.S. Air Force customers.
- DraperSPARX Startup and small business partnership platform that accelerates adoption of emergent technology for national security, connecting small businesses with DoD and other U.S. government agencies.
Quantifiable outcome
- LEAP Valve demonstrated 50% diameter increase (from ~8-9mm to 13mm) after 6 weeks in preclinical testing with piglets
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Draper
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Draper technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature6 records
Draper partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Poppy HealthcorePrime contractor leading the SCALE team in ARPA-H's BREATHE program to develop real-time indoor air quality monitoring systems. Draper contributes microfluidic pathogen isolation expertise.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringsupportingSCALE team member contributing to ARPA-H BREATHE program for indoor air quality systems.
- Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC)coreDraper provides advisory services to NEMC startups and small companies to support ASIC design and MPW readiness, reducing technical risks and accelerating technology commercialization.
- Krishnaswamy Lab at Yale UniversitycoreKey academic partner in CATALYST program developing computational models of human physiology using AI and machine learning with multi-layered Human Data Stack.
- Revalia Bio, Inc.corePartner in the CATALYST program developing AI-powered Human Data Trials using living human organs to replace animal models in drug development.
- LifeShare NetworkcorePartner in CATALYST program contributing organ donation data and network for human organ research to support drug toxicity prediction.
- ispace Technologies U.S.supportingDraper serves as prime contractor for NASA CLPS lunar mission with ispace as a key subcontractor for lunar lander services.
- ispace Technologies U.S.supportingPsionic Inc. provides Space Navigation Doppler LiDAR (PSNDL) sensor for Draper-led NASA CLPS lunar mission targeting Schröding Basin at Moon's south pole.
- Wildfire Working GroupsupportingCollaborative effort with The Aerospace Corporation, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Johns Hopkins APL, NASA JPL, MITRE, and NSF NCAR to address wildfire intelligence gaps.
- Worcester Polytechnic InstitutesupportingAcademic collaboration through student research projects. WPI students present senior thesis projects sponsored by Draper alongside other companies.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Draper competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory: Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operated by MIT for DoD, focused on national security R&D across air defense, space surveillance, and cybersecurity. Closest institutional analog to Draper's nonprofit defense lab model with overlapping mission areas in GN&C and electronic systems.
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL): University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) and nonprofit R&D organization that supports DoD, NASA, and intelligence agencies. Comparable in mission areas (strategic systems, space, biomedical) and in being a large, multi-disciplinary nonprofit serving federal customers.
- The Aerospace Corporation: Nonprofit FFRDC that serves as the nation's primary technical advisor for national security space programs. Directly comparable to Draper's Space Systems mission area in providing independent engineering and integration support to Space Force and intelligence community launches.
- MITRE Corporation: Nonprofit FFRDC operating multiple federally funded centers serving DoD, FAA, and intelligence agencies. Comparable as a multi-domain nonprofit R&D organization supporting national security missions including electronic systems and cybersecurity.
- Sandia National Laboratories: Federally funded national laboratory operated by Honeywell for the NNSA, focused on nuclear weapons engineering and national security R&D. Overlaps directly with Draper's Strategic Systems work on nuclear deterrence and microelectronics for weapons applications.
- Battelle Memorial Institute: Largest nonprofit applied R&D organization, managing national laboratories and operating across defense, biomedical, and energy. Comparable as a diversified nonprofit R&D enterprise with significant federal customer overlap and biomedical/strategic mission areas.
- Southwest Research Institute (SwRI): Nonprofit R&D organization with comparable multi-disciplinary federal client base spanning space, defense, automotive, and biomedical engineering. Competes with Draper in space systems, GN&C, and contract research support to DoD and NASA.
- RAND Corporation: Nonprofit research institution providing objective analysis to DoD, intelligence community, and federal agencies. Comparable as a large, mission-driven nonprofit research organization serving national security customers, though primarily policy/analysis rather than engineering.
- SRI International: Nonprofit scientific research institute with strong federal/defense R&D portfolio and biomedical/AI capabilities. Overlaps with Draper's Biotechnology Systems, AI/ML, and electronic systems work for DoD and intelligence customers.
Emerging players
- HRL Laboratories: Research laboratory jointly owned by Boeing and GM, focused on advanced sensors, microelectronics, and materials for defense/aerospace. Comparable in advanced microelectronics and GN&C adjacent to Draper's Electronic Systems mission, though organized as a commercial R&D entity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Draper social profiles
Digital presenceDraper compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Draper financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Draper leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Draper subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Draper funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
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Draper M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments7 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Draper
What does Draper do?
Draper is a nonprofit research, development, and engineering company that designs, develops, and deploys advanced technological solutions for U.S. national security, space, and public health missions. It delivers multidisciplinary engineering products and services across Strategic Systems (missile guidance, nuclear deterrence), Space Systems (lunar landers, GN&C), Electronic Systems (microelectronics, secure processors, decision solutions), and Biotechnology Systems (PREDICT96 organ-on-chip, LEAP valve, microfluidics, biodefense) to DoD, NASA, ARPA-H, and other federal customers.
Is Draper a public or private company?
Draper is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Draper founded?
Draper was founded in 1973. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Draper based?
Draper is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Draper make money?
One revenue line is on record: government R&D Contracts.
Who are Draper's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), The Aerospace Corporation, MITRE Corporation, Sandia National Laboratories, Battelle Memorial Institute, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), RAND Corporation and SRI International. HRL Laboratories is listed as an emerging player.
Does Draper have an API?
No public API is recorded for Draper.
What industry is Draper in?
Draper's product category is National Security and Defense Engineering R&D. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAL, Reentry, Descent & Landing Systems (Capsules, Heat Shields, Parachutes), with a secondary code of IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control. Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 3760.