America Makes

What America Makes does

America Makes is the first and leading Manufacturing USA institute, founded in 2012 as the U.S. Department of War's National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute and operated as a public-private partnership under the management of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM). Headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, the organization convenes 349 member organizations across industry, academia, government, and workforce development to accelerate additive manufacturing (AM) technology adoption and U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Its core technology focus spans five roadmap swimlanes — Design, Materials, Process, Value Chain, and AM Genome — with cumulative management of over $400M in federal research funding across 350+ collaborative projects since inception.

The organization monetizes through a tiered membership model (Silver $15K, Gold $50K, Platinum $200K annually) supplemented by federal cooperative agreement funding from OSD ManTech and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Its digital product surface includes the AI-powered CORE knowledge repository (containing all project deliverables since 2012), the AMNation workforce framework (AMBoK, AMJobs, AMTrain, AMWFD Toolkit), and signature events (MMX annual conference, Spring/Fall TRX, Additive in Steel Competition). Distribution occurs through three satellite centers (UTEP, TEES/TAMU, Wichita State NIAR), regional partner networks, and project calls that allocate tens of millions of dollars annually to industry and academic performers.

Customer segments are diversified across defense industrial base, small and medium manufacturers (73% of membership), workforce/education, and aerospace & defense OEMs, though revenue is structurally concentrated on federal appropriations. Recent strategic emphasis is on AI-assisted material qualification (AIM-4AM, PADAM 2.0), continuous fiber AM roadmapping, casting and forging integration, and allied-nation interoperability — most visibly through the $1.1M AAMI project with Lockheed Martin, ASTM, and Eaton establishing US-UK defense AM standards, and the $62M Youngstown Innovation Hub launched in late 2025.

Name

America Makes

Legal name

America Makes

Website

https://americamakes.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

America Makes is the U.S. national accelerator for additive manufacturing, operating as a public-private partnership under NCDMM that convenes 349 member organizations to manage federal R&D funding, develop AM standards, and build workforce capacity across the defense industrial base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Additive Manufacturing Innovation Consortium

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Consulting, Advisory & Technology Transfer (AM Adoption) (IMAAAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM) (IMAAAJAC), Conferences, Workshops & Industry Events (AM Knowledge Sharing) (IMAAAJAL), Process & Application Development (DfAM, Parameter Development) (IMAAAJAF), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), Industry-Specific Technical & Certification Prep (e.g., Construction, Manufacturing, Energy) (EDAGANAN), Workforce, Employability & Youth Skills Partnerships (EDADALAI), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK), Energy & Power (Oil & Gas, Turbines, Nuclear, Renewables) (Production AM Parts) (IMAAAEAE)

Keywords

• Additive manufacturing consortium
• 3D printing research
• Manufacturing workforce development
• Defense manufacturing innovation
• AM technology roadmapping

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Funding: Primary revenue from public funding through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech), Air Force Research Laboratory, and other federal agencies. Over $400 million in federal research funding has been managed. Funding supports project calls, challenges, and consortium operations.
2. Membership Fees: Three-tiered membership model providing industry, academia, and government organizations access to project participation, resources, and networking. Tiers: Silver $15,000, Gold $50,000, Platinum $200,000 annually. Members can offset costs through @Program cost share credits for engagement activities.
3. Project Cost Share: Members can participate in project activities that generate cost share credits applicable toward membership fees. Project participation includes leading teams, hosting events, and contributing to working groups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

America Makes operates as the nation's leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education, convening industry, academia, government, and workforce organizations to accelerate AM adoption. The organization manages over $400 million in federal research funding through 350+ collaborative R&D projects, provides tiered membership access (Silver, Gold, Platinum) to its digital knowledge repository and project portfolio, and delivers workforce development programs spanning K-12 through incumbent workers. Its primary outputs include technology roadmaps, qualification frameworks, standards development, and digital platforms such as the AI-powered CORE repository, AMNation, AMTrain, and AMJobs.

Product overview

America Makes is the nation's leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education, founded in 2012 as the Department of War's National Manufacturing Innovation Institute for AM and the first of the Manufacturing USA network. Rather than offering a single commercial product, America Makes operates as a consortium providing technology development programs, workforce development platforms (CORE, AMNation, AMTrain, AMJobs), industry events (MMX, TRX), and educational resources. The organization manages over $400 million in federal research funding through collaborative projects advancing AM technology across design, materials, processes, value chain, and AM Genome focus areas, delivered through its membership-based platform accessible via CORE.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AMNation: A systematic approach to scaling education and workforce development practices through members and partners, building a national strategy for local impact in additive manufacturing.
• America Makes CORE
• AMTrain
• AMJobs
• AMWFD Toolkit
• Additive in Steel Competition

Products and services

• America Makes CORE Platform Secure AI-powered online platform providing America Makes members access to all project deliverables since 2012, EWD assets, and event recordings with natural language search capabilities.
• AMNation Workforce Development Program National workforce development initiative including AMNation Pipeline Portal, AMJobs career site, and AMTrain platform, supporting the AM talent pipeline from K-12 through incumbent workers via AMBoK curriculum, micro-learnings, DRIVEA programs, and partnerships with ToolingU and Edge Factor.
• AMTrain Training Platform Platform providing the defense community and industrial base with tailored, state-of-the-art additive manufacturing training resources.
• AMJobs Career Platform Free front-door to the additive manufacturing industry offering resources to learn about AM careers, understand required skills, and find opportunities to pursue those career paths.
• AM WFD Toolkit Publicly accessible web-based toolkit offering expert-curated additive manufacturing lifecycle content and detailed use cases to support training development for educators and manufacturers.
• MMX (Members Meeting & Exchange) Annual Conference Annual two-day member-centric event featuring keynote speakers from government, academia, and industry; strategic panels; project updates; and networking opportunities.
• TRX (Technical Review & Exchange) Technical showcase of ongoing and successful America Makes projects featuring project engineers and managers; offered in Spring (co-located with RAPID+TCT), Fall, and Virtual formats.
• AM Playbook for Adoption Comprehensive playbook providing guidance for organizations adopting additive manufacturing technologies, available as a PDF resource.
• America Makes Membership Program Tiered annual membership program providing 349+ member organizations across government, industry, and academia access to project participation, CORE resources, working groups, standards development, and networking, with @Program cost-share credits available through engagement activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% lead time reduction and 30% cost savings achieved on single-piece titanium propellant tanks versus traditional forged and welded versions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.

• Continuous Composites (Platinum Member)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026Continuous Composites secured multi-year contract with U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center to apply CF3D technology to missile platform components. Effort executed in collaboration with Army ManTech program and coordinated through America Makes as part of DoD initiatives to develop faster production pathways for precision strike platforms.
• DDM SystemssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026DDM Systems launched Digital Foundry platform for tooling-free manufacturing using ceramic 3D printing to produce precision metal castings in as few as 10 days vs 52-80 weeks conventionally. Has received $8M+ in federal contract validation from DARPA, ARPA-E, and DoD, delivering castings for U.S. Air Force and aerospace OEMs.
• EPRI (Gold Member)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Electric Power Research Institute received Best Paper recognition from ASME for qualifying ABD 900AM for turbine, aerospace, and energy applications. EPRI produced the first ABD 900AM feedstock specification (AMS7075) with companion specification in progress, advancing AM qualification for critical safety applications.
• YBI Engine Tech Incubator - Landing Zone ProgramsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Partnership with YBI Engine Tech Incubator's Landing Zone program - a free 9-week virtual course helping manufacturing innovators enter the U.S. market. America Makes provides access to validated frameworks, supply chain connections, and regional manufacturing assets. Top performers can join YBI Engine's portfolio and access 200,000+ square feet of manufacturing space alongside companies like Ursa Major and JuggerBot 3D.
• University of Dayton Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Received $450K award under the Affordable and Agile Composite Additive Manufactured Structures initiative to develop comprehensive roadmap for continuous fiber additive manufacturing technology, evaluating the current landscape, identifying adoption barriers, and defining requirements for defense and commercial implementation.
• ASTM International (Platinum Member)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026ASTM International joined the Allied Additive Manufacturing Interoperability (AAMI) project, a $1.1M initiative led by America Makes/NCDMM funded by US Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. ASTM contributes standards development expertise as part of a Lockheed Martin-led team alongside Additive Manufacturing Solutions (UK) to establish US-UK defense AM interoperability.
• Lockheed Martin (Platinum Member)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Lead partner in the $1.1M Allied Additive Manufacturing Interoperability (AAMI) project to establish AM interoperability between US and UK defense sectors, focusing on laser powder bed fusion of critical defense parts. The initiative enables trusted cross-border data exchange and shared qualification frameworks.
• Eaton Corporation (Gold Member)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Part of the AAMI project team working to align 3D printing standards between U.S. and U.K. militaries, enabling the allied forces to safely share printed parts and manufacturing files through universal verification rules.
• ToolingUsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership provides ToolingU's 600+ interactive manufacturing courses to America Makes members, including additive-focused self-paced courses contributed by member organizations. Delivered through AMWFD Toolkit for workforce development.
• Edge FactorsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership delivers 5,000+ videos, interactive activities, lesson plans, and career tools featuring additive manufacturing content developed with America Makes members. Inspires future careers through real-life tech success stories.
• Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and DefensemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025New initiative in Youngstown, Ohio supported by $26M from Ohio's Innovation Hubs Program plus $36M in additional local, federal, and private investment. Projected to generate $161.6M in economic output and create 450 jobs by 2029. Managed by NCDMM in collaboration with America Makes, the hub aims to position northeastern Ohio as a global center for advanced manufacturing.
• SWISSto12majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Partner developing feed horns using laser powder bed fusion that are already operating in orbit, representing one of the few AM success stories reaching flight qualification. Demonstrates successful qualification pathway for AM components in space applications.
• Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024YBI supports the Youngstown Innovation Hub and hosts the Engine Tech Incubator. America Makes partners on initiatives including the AMUX (Advanced Manufacturing User Expo) drawing ~200 registrants to discuss advanced manufacturing technologies and workforce development in the Mahoning Valley region.
• University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Satellite CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Regional satellite center providing education, training, technology validation, technical assistance, and outreach in the El Paso area. Serves as hub for small-medium business engagement and student development at all levels including non-traditional students and veterans.
• Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Satellite CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Regional satellite center extending America Makes mission in Texas, providing education, training, and regional networking opportunities. Works with local companies and educational institutions to advance AM technology adoption.
• Wichita State University NIAR Satellite CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University serves as satellite center, providing regional hub for education, training, and technology validation. Leverages university's aviation and manufacturing expertise for AM advancement.
• Manufacturing USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012America Makes is the first of the Manufacturing USA network institutes, established in 2012. Manufacturing USA is a national network of manufacturing innovation institutes that accelerates advanced manufacturing technologies. America Makes operates as part of this network, sharing best practices and aligning with other institutes on cross-cutting manufacturing challenges.
• National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012NCDMM is the not-for-profit organization that manages America Makes. NCDMM provides operational management, program execution, and administrative services. NCDMM also manages the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense and El Paso Makes, extending the America Makes ecosystem regionally.
• Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Primary federal funding source for America Makes projects and programs. OSD ManTech provides direction on defense manufacturing priorities and allocates funding through the cooperative agreement. The Manufacturing Technology Office funds project calls, challenges, and operational activities aligned with DoD modernization objectives.
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Co-funding partner and technical advisor for America Makes projects, particularly those focused on aerospace applications. AFRL provides subject matter expertise, testing facilities, and additional funding for materials and process development initiatives including PADAM 2.0 and CFAM roadmapping.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute: ARM Institute is a Manufacturing USA innovation institute focused on robotics and automation in manufacturing. As a fellow Manufacturing USA network institute operating a similar public-private partnership model with federal funding and tiered membership, it is the most structurally comparable peer.
• NextFlex: NextFlex is the Manufacturing USA institute for flexible hybrid electronics, operating under the same public-private partnership framework with federal cooperative agreement funding. Comparable consortium structure with tiered membership and project call mechanisms.
• LIFT (Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow): LIGHT is a Manufacturing USA institute focused on lightweight metals manufacturing, operating a similar consortium model with DoD/Mantech funding and tiered industry membership. Directly comparable as a fellow Manufacturing Innovation Institute addressing defense-relevant advanced manufacturing.
• NIIMBL (National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals): NIIMBL is a Manufacturing USA institute serving biopharmaceutical manufacturing with the same cooperative agreement, tiered membership, and project call model. A direct structural peer operating within the same network and federal funding paradigm.

Others

• ANSI (American National Standards Institute): ANSI co-hosts the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative (AMSC) with America Makes and tracks the 141 standardization gaps. Functions as a standards ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but its convening power in standardization overlaps with America Makes' role.
• National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM): NCDMM is the parent non-profit that manages America Makes and provides operational, program execution, and administrative services. Also operates the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense and El Paso Makes, making it an ecosystem partner more than a direct peer.
• Manufacturing USA Network: The umbrella Manufacturing USA network connects all 17+ institutes including America Makes. Operated by the interagency federal program rather than as an independent entity, but governs the cooperative agreement framework under which America Makes operates.
• ToolingU-SME: ToolingU provides 600+ interactive manufacturing courses delivered to America Makes members through the AMWFD Toolkit partnership. Overlaps in workforce development but functions as a content/curriculum partner rather than a competing consortium.

Regional players

• Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Manufacturing Technologies (IAPT): Fraunhofer IAPT is a leading European AM research institute with comparable R&D programs, qualification frameworks, and industry engagement. Operates in a different geography with different funding sources (German federal/state) but addresses similar AM technology adoption challenges for European industry.

Emerging players

• ASTM International (Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence): ASTM's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence develops standards and certification programs for AM. As a Platinum member of America Makes and co-developer of qualification frameworks, it is both a partner and emerging independent player in the same AM standards ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AmericaMakes
• Facebookfacebook.com/americamakes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/america-makes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments2 records

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Frequently asked questions about America Makes