What LIFT does

LIFT, legally the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public-private partnership founded in 2014 to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for the U.S. industrial base and the Department of War (DoD). It is one of 16 federally chartered Manufacturing USA innovation institutes and is funded primarily through cooperative agreements and Other Transactional Agreements (OTAs) with the Department of War, managed through the Office of Naval Research, with active programs from the Army CCDC GVSC, Air Force Research Laboratory, and DoD's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. The organization operates from a 100,000-square-foot Detroit headquarters (1400 Rosa Parks Boulevard) housing the LIFT High Bay, the AMPP Center, the HEET hypersonics testing facility, and the Learning Lab, with additional satellite operations in Puerto Rico and Florida.

LIFT's core technology portfolio spans digital engineering (ICME modeling & simulation, Digital Twin Smart Factory built with Siemens), advanced materials (metallics, ceramics, composites), manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing using EOS M 290, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, forming, joining via a 75-ton Linear Friction Welder, Hot Isostatic Pressing, Direct Current Sintering), and verification & validation for extreme environments. Specialized facilities include the AMPP Center for low-to-medium-volume custom-alloy production and the HEET facility for hypersonic testing at Mach 5+. The talent development pillar includes the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing curriculum (deployed in 24 states, 37,000+ students served), Operation Next credentialing for service members and veterans, Learning Lab K-12 field trips, and the LIFT Education Foundation scholarship program launched in 2026.

LIFT's revenue model blends federal cooperative agreements and OTAs (multi-year, e.g., $49M CCDC GVSC OTA, $9.2M DOW CMCs contract, $9M IBAS Critical Materials Processing program), recurring industry and academic membership fees (undisclosed structure), and project-based R&D awards of up to $1M per project that flow through to member and academic sub-awardees. Go-to-market leverages its federal designation, the 260+ partner ecosystem (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, GE, Siemens, Kearney, University of Michigan, Michigan Tech, Case Western Reserve), flagship events including the IMTS presence and the A2M2X annual conference, the Smarter Manufacturing podcast, and LIFT OFF webinars. The organization holds no patents or trademarks in the disclosed data and does not pursue a commercial product distribution model.

Name

LIFT

Legal name

American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII)

Website

https://lift.technology

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LIFT is a Detroit-based nonprofit public-private partnership and one of 16 Manufacturing USA institutes that accelerates advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for the U.S. Department of War, defense primes, aerospace OEMs, and small/medium manufacturers through cooperative agreements, R&D programs, and a 100,000 sq. ft. pilot facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 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 Government Cooperative Agreements: LIFT operates under cooperative agreements with the Department of War (DoD), with funding managed through the Office of Naval Research. These multi-year agreements (e.g., $49 million OTA with CCDC GVSC, $9.2 million DOW ceramic matrix composites contract, $9 million Critical Materials Processing program) constitute the primary revenue stream. LIFT receives funding to accelerate transformational technology into the U.S. industrial base and support scale-up of innovations.
2. Industry Membership Fees: LIFT is a membership-based network. Members include Fortune 500 companies, small & medium-sized manufacturers, startups, academic institutions, and industry associations. Membership provides access to project funding, technology events, pilot facility access, R&D collaboration, and the ecosystem network. The specific membership fee structure is not publicly disclosed.
3. Project-Based R&D Contracts: LIFT issues project calls offering opportunities for members to submit proposals on specific topic areas. Projects are funded by federal partners (DoD) or through co-investment from industry members. Companies whose proposals are selected receive funding (up to $1 million per project in some cases, not including cost-share) for project development in areas aligned with LIFT's technology pillars.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

LIFT operates a national advanced materials and manufacturing innovation institute that designs, builds, and tests innovative materials and processes through its 100,000+ sq. ft. Detroit pilot facility. It provides R&D collaboration, pilot-scale production of advanced alloys via the AMPP Center, hypersonics/extreme-environment testing via HEET, and workforce credentialing through IGNITE, Operation Next, and the LIFT Learning Lab, funded primarily by Department of War cooperative agreements and industry/academic membership.

Product overview

LIFT is a national advanced materials manufacturing innovation institute that offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services focused on technology development, workforce development, and manufacturing capabilities. The core offerings include the Advanced Metallic Production & Processing (AMPP) Center for custom alloy production, the LIFT High Bay facility with advanced manufacturing equipment, and the Hypersonics & Extreme Environment Testing Facility (HEET). Workforce development is supported through IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing® curriculum for high school students, Operation Next® credentialing program for service members and veterans, and the LIFT Learning Lab for hands-on training. The LIFT Education Foundation provides scholarship support. The organization operates as a public-private partnership connecting government, industry, and academia to accelerate advanced manufacturing technologies for national security and economic competitiveness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing: A three-year foundational competency-based curriculum introducing students to advanced manufacturing materials, processes and systems through online, interactive, multimedia and project-based learning.
• Operation Next
• Advanced Metallic Production & Processing Center (AMPP)
• Hypersonics & Extreme Environment Testing Facility (HEET)
• Learning Lab

Products and services

• Advanced Metallic Production & Processing (AMPP) Center State-of-the-art facility producing custom alloys to accelerate material innovation and support the American Defense Industrial Base, specializing in small-batch production from material development through part manufacturing and inspection. For aerospace, automotive, and defense manufacturers needing domestic supply of advanced metallic feedstocks.
• IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing Three-year foundational competency-based curriculum introducing K-12 and high school students to advanced manufacturing materials, processes, and systems through online, interactive, multimedia, and project-based learning built around real industry challenges. Served 37,000+ students across 24 states since 2018.
• Operation Next Competency-based training and credentialing program featuring hybrid curriculum for service members, National Guard, Reservists, veterans, and civilians to earn nationally portable industry-recognized credentials in high-demand manufacturing fields such as welding, CNC machining, and robotics.
• LIFT Learning Lab Immersive learning facility preparing students for manufacturing careers with field trips for K-12 students and certification courses for adults in welding, CNC machining, and robotics on professional-grade equipment.
• Hypersonics & Extreme Environment Testing Facility (HEET) Specialized facility for testing materials and components under hypersonic conditions and extreme environments (Mach 5+) for aerospace and defense applications, supporting DoD's highest priority hypersonics and counter-hypersonics programs.
• LIFT High Bay 100,000 sq. ft. technology accelerator and pilot facility serving as the national showcase for advanced materials and manufacturing processes, housing the Digital Twin Factory, Linear Friction Welder, EOS M 290 Metal 3D Printer, Hot Isostatic Press, and other advanced manufacturing equipment.
• LIFT Education Foundation Scholarship Program Scholarship program administered by the LIFT Education Foundation (DoD-supported, ALMMII-operated nonprofit) awarding scholarships for tuition, books, fees, and other costs to support students pursuing hands-on careers in advanced manufacturing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100X+ return on investment to taxpayers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• LIFT Education FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026New nonprofit foundation supported by the Department of Defense and operated by ALMMII, launched in 2026 to provide scholarships and support for students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing. Will award 25 scholarships of $1,000 each in 2026 to high school seniors enrolling in relevant programs.
• ExothermicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Industry partner in the 4-year, $9 million Critical Materials Processing program for ultra-high temperature ceramics, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and carbon fiber. Exothermics is part of the working group addressing commercialization of ceramic-related technologies.
• Kratos SREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Industry partner in the Critical Materials Processing program working on ceramics and CMCs for hypersonics applications.
• Materials Research & DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Industry partner in the Critical Materials Processing program contributing to CMC development for aerospace and hypersonics.
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025AFRL is part of the working group for the Critical Materials Processing program, contributing to the development of ceramic matrix composites and ultra-high temperature ceramics for aerospace applications.
• U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command / Ground Vehicle Systems Center (CCDC GVSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2020Five-year $49 million Other Transactional Agreement (OTA) between LIFT and CCDC GVSC (located at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan). LIFT leads new technology programs for materials maturation, product design, manufacturing process improvements, and development of models to evaluate lightweight materials for military ground vehicle equipment.
• U.S. Department of War / Department of DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT operates under two cooperative agreements with the Department of War (DoD), managed through the Office of Naval Research. LIFT is the National Advanced Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, one of 16 Manufacturing USA institutes. DoD provides the primary funding through ManTech programs including IBAS (Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment), with specific programs in hypersonics, ceramics, CMCs, and critical materials processing.
• Office of Naval Research (ONR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONR manages LIFT's cooperative agreements with the Department of War as one of the 16 national manufacturing innovation institutes. ONR oversees DoD's relationship with the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes.
• Manufacturing USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT is a founding member of Manufacturing USA, a network of advanced manufacturing institutes bringing together industry, academia, and federal partners to promote a robust and sustainable national manufacturing R&D infrastructure.
• SiemensmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiemens made a significant investment in LIFT's Detroit facility, resulting in the creation of the Digital Twin Smart Factory — a manufacturing digital future showcase. Siemens provides industrial controls technology for LIFT's advanced manufacturing equipment.
• KearneymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKearney (global management consulting firm) made a significant investment in LIFT's facility, contributing strategic consulting expertise to the ecosystem and supporting the Digital Twin Smart Factory initiative.
• IACMI (Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT and IACMI opened a joint innovation facility in Detroit in 2017, allowing members, partners, and students to conduct R&D projects in lightweight metals and advanced composites.
• Ricardo DefensemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ricardo Defense resulted in significant advancement in prevention of Humvee rollover fatalities — reducing fatal rollovers by up to 74% while reducing stopping distance by 8 truck lengths, saving lives of U.S. military members. Ricardo Defense was awarded an $89 million contract for HMMWV improvements.
• University of MichiganmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey academic partner leading the Southeast Michigan Maritime Prosperity Zone coalition with LIFT. Partner on additive manufacturing alloys, hypersonics, and university 'U LIFT Challenge' projects. Also collaborated during COVID-19 to develop innovative ventilator valve technology.
• Michigan Technological UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Tech partners with LIFT to design future additive manufacturing materials and processes, and co-hosts the annual Manufacturing for Tomorrow Bootcamp empowering the next generation of makers.
• Macomb Community CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Southeast Michigan Maritime Prosperity Zone coalition. Received $15.4 million from the U.S. Navy to develop maritime welding and machining training programs. Part of LIFT's workforce development ecosystem.
• Detroit/Wayne County Port AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of the Southeast Michigan Maritime Prosperity Zone coalition with LIFT, leveraging the region's 3,200 miles of shoreline and 33 active ports to support U.S. shipbuilding revitalization.
• NewlabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of the Southeast Michigan Maritime Prosperity Zone coalition with LIFT, contributing to regional efforts to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
• Case Western Reserve UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner launching lightweight additive manufacturing certification programs and contributing to LIFT's educational curriculum development.
• Columbus State Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on work-study programs, with 150 students to enroll over a 5-year period as part of LIFT's workforce development initiatives.
• NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMS partnered with LIFT to form programs for veterans to launch manufacturing careers and released new skills credentials and training for manufacturing jobs in the Midwest auto corridor, creating 9 career paths.
• ComauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpened a new lightweight research lab together with LIFT at the Detroit facility, expanding additive and conventional manufacturing capabilities.
• Girl Scouts of the USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT launched the Girl Scouts' Think Like an Engineer Journey to encourage career exploration in advanced manufacturing and engineering, aiming to impact the gender gap in science and engineering fields.
• AmatrolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing training equipment and curriculum for LIFT's Learning Lab and workforce development programs in advanced manufacturing skills.
• Arris (now MiM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to lightweight combat vehicles through unique additive manufacturing process, contributing to Army vehicle modernization.
• Eck IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with LIFT and Loukus Technologies to explore magnesium alloy extrusions to reduce weight of auto and defense applications.
• Loukus TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan startup exploring magnesium alloy extrusions for lightweight applications in collaboration with LIFT and Eck Industries.
• Center for Automotive Research (CAR)Strategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT and CAR test and evaluate mixed material joining technologies, developing an open-source catalog for automotive applications.
• Ford Motor CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuring COVID-19, LIFT worked with Ford, GM, and other institutes to rapidly produce ventilators for hospitals, demonstrating rapid manufacturing capability.
• General MotorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with LIFT during COVID-19 ventilator production response, demonstrating advanced manufacturing capabilities.
• State of MichiganmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState of Michigan announced a $10 million co-investment in LIFT and launched the $50 million Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative partnership with U.S. Navy, DoD, and Department of Labor. State legislature appropriated funding for IGNITE curriculum in Michigan schools.
• U.S. NavymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the $50 million Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative, providing funding for maritime welding and machining training programs through Macomb Community College.
• Det'on Cho EnvironmentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous environmental firm managing the Environmental Baseline Data Collection Program at the Yellowknife Lithium Project in partnership with local Indigenous communities.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IACMI (Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation): IACMI is a fellow Manufacturing USA institute focused on advanced composites, and LIFT's own partnership data lists IACMI as a joint innovation facility partner since 2017. Both operate as 501(c)(3) public-private partnerships under DoD oversight with similar federal cooperative agreement funding models and overlapping advanced materials R&D mandates.
• America Makes (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute): America Makes is the Manufacturing USA institute specifically chartered for additive manufacturing—the same technology area where LIFT operates its EOS M 290 metal 3D printer, WAAM cell, and HIP equipment. Both compete for the same federal additive manufacturing research funding and serve overlapping defense and aerospace OEM customers.
• NextFlex (Flexible Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute): NextFlex is a Manufacturing USA institute operating under the same DoD cooperative agreement and ONR oversight structure as LIFT. Both share the same public-private partnership funding model, federal reporting requirements, and member-based ecosystem engagement approach for advanced manufacturing technology development.
• ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute: ARM Institute is a Manufacturing USA member that, like LIFT, operates as a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership funded by DoD and industry members to accelerate advanced manufacturing technology adoption. Both focus on bridging the 'valley of death' between research and commercialization for defense and commercial manufacturing.
• MxD (Manufacturing x Digital): MxD is the Manufacturing USA institute for digital manufacturing, with overlapping focus areas to LIFT's ICME (Integrated Computational Materials Engineering) and Digital Twin Smart Factory capabilities. Both serve the same DoD customer base and compete for federal digital manufacturing modernization funding.
• REMADE Institute: REMADE is a Manufacturing USA institute focused on sustainable manufacturing, sharing the same federal cooperative agreement structure and member-based ecosystem model as LIFT. Both compete for the same Department of Energy and DoD advanced manufacturing technology development funding pools.
• CyManII (Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute): CyManII is a Manufacturing USA institute operating under the same federal PPP structure as LIFT. Both share membership models, federal cooperative agreement funding, and a mandate to accelerate manufacturing technology modernization for U.S. industrial base competitiveness.
• BioFabUSA: BioFabUSA is a Manufacturing USA institute focused on bioprinting and tissue engineering, sharing the same DoD cooperative agreement funding structure and public-private partnership governance as LIFT. Both operate member-based ecosystems serving defense-adjacent technology development priorities.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer Institute (Germany): Fraunhofer is a much larger applied research organization operating under a similar public-private partnership model with government and industry funding, advanced manufacturing pilot facilities, and contract R&D services. Comparable to LIFT's technology development pillar but operating at vastly greater scale (76 institutes, €3B+ budget) and focused on broader industrial sectors.

Regional players

• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) UK: MTC is the UK's national advanced manufacturing catapult operating as a public-private partnership with similar pilot facility infrastructure, R&D services, and industry membership model to LIFT. Comparable in mission and structure but serving UK-based manufacturers rather than U.S. defense industrial base customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/newsfromlift
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifttechnology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about LIFT