NextFlex

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.

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

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

• Hybrid electronics manufacturing
• Flexible electronics innovation
• Manufacturing consortium services
• Workforce development programs
• Advanced electronics research

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• TechBlickmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 February 2026Innovation 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 UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Auburn 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 AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017FlexTech Alliance, Inc. administers NextFlex as the flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing innovation institute. FlexTech oversees governance, operations, and programs of the institute.
• Manufacturing USA NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNextFlex 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 MartinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense prime contractor active in NextFlex ecosystem through membership, Technical Working Group participation, and involvement in the Fellows program recognition.
• SiemensmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiemens 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.
• IEEEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IEEE on professional development courses related to electronics packaging and reliability assessment for hybrid electronics.
• GE AerospacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace company member active in the NextFlex ecosystem and hybrid electronics development initiatives.
• NASAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple NASA centers (Ames, Goddard, JPL, Johnson, Langley, Marshall) are members participating in NextFlex programs and hybrid electronics projects for space applications.
• National Science FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF 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

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nextflexus2244
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nextflex
• Xx.com/nextflexus
• Facebookfacebook.com/nextflexus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about NextFlex