NextFlex
NextFlex is a federally chartered public-private manufacturing innovation institute that advances U.S. flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing through a 100+ member consortium, Project Call funding awards, a Technology Hub, and workforce development programs serving defense, commercial electronics, academic, and government members.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NextFlex does
NextFlex is America's Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute, a public-private partnership administered by FlexTech Alliance, Inc. under the federal Manufacturing USA network. Founded in 2015 and formally established as an FHE innovation institute in 2017, the organization is headquartered in San Jose, California, with a regional Node in Huntsville, Alabama, led by Auburn University. NextFlex advances flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) manufacturing, which combines silicon components with flexible, stretchable, and conformable systems alongside additive manufacturing techniques, and serves defense primes, commercial electronics manufacturers, academic institutions, and U.S. government agencies including NASA, DARPA, AFRL, and multiple service branches.
The core product portfolio is structured around three operational areas: (1) the Hybrid Electronics Network & Membership consortium, which connects 100+ member organizations through Project Calls (competitive funding awards underwriting up to 50% of project development costs), Technical Working Groups, and roadmapping activities; (2) the Technology Hub, a state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing facility providing collaborative design, development, and prototyping services; and (3) Education & Workforce Development programs, including the FlexFactor K-12 outreach, Technical Learning & Training, and the NextFlex Learning Programs 501(c)(3) subsidiary. NextFlex has invested over $153 million in FHE projects across its history and recognizes leadership through its Fellows program (40+ inductees since 2017). Active Project Calls (PC 10.0 and PC 11.0) increasingly emphasize AI/ML-enabled materials and process data infrastructure, reliability assessment, and resilient manufacturing for harsh-environment applications.
The business model combines recurring membership dues with project-based grant funding from federal sources (DoD, NSF) and state governments (notably a $20 million Alabama grant in 2025). Named strategic partners include Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, GE Aerospace, Siemens, NASA, Auburn University, IEEE, and TechBlick. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Headcount is listed at 1-10 employees, reflecting the lean central staff typical of federally chartered innovation institutes that orchestrate distributed R&D across a member network rather than perform all work in-house. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
NextFlex firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NextFlex
- Legal name
- NextFlex
- Website
- https://nextflex.us
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- NextFlex is a federally chartered public-private manufacturing innovation institute that advances U.S. flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing through a 100+ member consortium, Project Call funding awards, a Technology Hub, and workforce development programs serving defense, commercial electronics, academic, and government members.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NextFlex industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Electronics Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing (334), Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (334419)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), IoT, Sensors & Embedded Systems (Arduino/Raspberry Pi) Programs (EDAMADAI), Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)
Keywords
Where NextFlex is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
NextFlex business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Project Call Funding Awards: NextFlex issues Project Calls providing cash awards to proposal teams for development projects critical to hybrid electronics manufacturing. NextFlex underwrites up to 50% of the development costs of selected projects through this mechanism.
- Membership Program: NextFlex operates a membership consortium where companies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and government partners join to access project calls, technical working groups, roadmapping activities, events, and the broader hybrid electronics ecosystem.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
NextFlex product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NextFlex operates as America's Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute, functioning as a public-private partnership consortium that connects industry, academic, government, and nonprofit members to advance flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) manufacturing in the U.S. Its core offerings are organized into three operational areas: (1) the Hybrid Electronics Network & Membership consortium with project calls, roadmapping, and events; (2) the Technology Hub providing collaborative engineering and manufacturing services for electronics design and development; and (3) Education & Workforce Development programs covering K-12 outreach, technical training, and consulting services.
Product overview
NextFlex is America's Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute, operated by FlexTech Alliance, Inc. The organization functions as a public-private partnership focused on advancing flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) manufacturing in the U.S. The core offerings consist of three operational areas: (1) the Hybrid Electronics Network & Membership consortium that connects industry, academic, and government partners through project calls and roadmapping activities; (2) the Technology Hub providing engineering and manufacturing services for collaborative electronics design and development; and (3) Education & Workforce Development programs including FlexFactor K-12 outreach, technical training, and consulting services. The institute also administers Project Calls (such as PC 10.0 and PC 11.0) that provide funding awards for hybrid electronics R&D projects. Additional programs include the NextFlex Fellows recognition program, the PRISM Program, Regional Nodes like the Alabama Node, and the 'Electronics at the Edge' podcast series.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Electronics at the Edge: Podcast series exploring breakthroughs, collaborations, and real-world applications of hybrid electronics
Products and services
- Hybrid Electronics Network & Membership A membership consortium offering companies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies access to project calls, technical working groups, roadmapping activities, events, and the broader hybrid electronics ecosystem.
- Technology Hub Engineering & Manufacturing Services State-of-the-art facility providing engineering and manufacturing services for collaborative electronics design, development, and problem-solving for hybrid electronics to members and partners.
- Technical Learning & Training Technical education and training services for workforce development in hybrid electronics and advanced manufacturing.
- Consulting Services Consulting and intermediary activities designed to bring diverse stakeholders together to achieve local workforce development goals, including partnerships with high schools, community colleges, universities, and companies.
Quantifiable outcome
- $153 million invested in projects with numerous product designs developed
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NextFlex
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NextFlex technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature3 records
NextFlex partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- TechBlickmajorInnovation Day 2026 is co-located with TechBlick's Future of Electronics ResHAPED conference, bringing together a global audience focused on additive, printed, flexible, and hybrid electronics for collaboration across commercial and defense markets.
- Auburn UniversitycoreAuburn University leads the Alabama Node in Huntsville, a regional hub to support hybrid electronics development and commercialization, funded by a $20 million State of Alabama grant. Auburn's Electronics Packaging Research Institute leads AI-based semiconductor packaging research.
- FlexTech AlliancecoreFlexTech Alliance, Inc. administers NextFlex as the flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing innovation institute. FlexTech oversees governance, operations, and programs of the institute.
- Manufacturing USA NetworkcoreNextFlex is part of the Manufacturing USA network of public-private partnerships focused on advancing advanced manufacturing technologies and workforce development in the United States.
- Lockheed MartinmajorDefense prime contractor active in NextFlex ecosystem through membership, Technical Working Group participation, and involvement in the Fellows program recognition.
- SiemensmajorSiemens provides design tools and expertise through NextFlex, with active participation in innovation day, technical councils, and the Fellows program recognition of their Product Marketing Manager.
- IEEEmajorPartnership with IEEE on professional development courses related to electronics packaging and reliability assessment for hybrid electronics.
- GE AerospacemajorMajor aerospace company member active in the NextFlex ecosystem and hybrid electronics development initiatives.
- NASAmajorMultiple NASA centers (Ames, Goddard, JPL, Johnson, Langley, Marshall) are members participating in NextFlex programs and hybrid electronics projects for space applications.
- National Science FoundationmajorNSF provides funding support for workforce development programs and research initiatives in partnership with NextFlex, including Advanced Technological Education (ATE) awards.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NextFlex competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NextFlex social profiles
Digital presenceNextFlex financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NextFlex leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
NextFlex subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
NextFlex funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NextFlex M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NextFlex
What does NextFlex do?
NextFlex operates as America's Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute, functioning as a public-private partnership consortium that connects industry, academic, government, and nonprofit members to advance flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) manufacturing in the U.S. Its core offerings are organized into three operational areas: (1) the Hybrid Electronics Network & Membership consortium with project calls, roadmapping, and events; (2) the Technology Hub providing collaborative engineering and manufacturing services for electronics design and development; and (3) Education & Workforce Development programs covering K-12 outreach, technical training, and consulting services.
Is NextFlex a public or private company?
NextFlex is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NextFlex founded?
NextFlex was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is NextFlex based?
NextFlex is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does NextFlex make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Project Call Funding Awards are the primary driver. The others are membership Program.
Does NextFlex have an API?
No public API is recorded for NextFlex.
What industry is NextFlex in?
NextFlex's product category is Advanced Electronics Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAJAA, Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs, with a secondary code of EDAMADAH, 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs. Its NAICS code is 334 and its SIC code is 8731.