GTRI - Georgia Tech

What GTRI - Georgia Tech does

GTRI (Georgia Tech Research Institute) is the applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology, a public university within the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI now employs more than 3,000 staff, research faculty, and students across eight laboratories and more than 20 U.S. locations plus a forward presence in Wiesbaden, Germany. It holds Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) designation, giving it privileged access to DoD-sponsored applied research contracts and embedding it as a trusted intermediary between Georgia Tech's academic capabilities and federal sponsor needs.

Its research portfolio spans four core divisions: Sensors (electromagnetic spectrum operations, radar, threat systems), Information (cybersecurity, data science, intelligence), Systems (robotics, autonomy, command-and-control, air and missile defense), and Technology for Society (health, agriculture, environment, infrastructure). Notable fielded or maturing capabilities include the FalconView mapping system (a DoD mission-planning standard), Angry Kitten electronic attack pods on multiple aircraft, the SCHORTY LiDAR-class Scheimpflug imaging platform, cryogenic chambers for quantum ion trapping (co-developed with Los Alamos), APAT/XPAT phased-array radar testbeds for hypersonic telemetry, smart nitric-oxide wound monitoring bandages, MISSE-22 space-materials experiments on the ISS, AI/machine-vision train inspection portals with Norfolk Southern, and a pathogen genomics platform built with the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health.

GTRI's revenue model is sponsored research contracts, almost entirely from the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal and state agencies, with select industry partnerships. FY2025 new sponsored contracts totaled $964 million (up from $919M in FY2024), positioning the organization near $1 billion in annual research awards. It does not sell products through commercial channels and does not publicly disclose pricing; delivery is direct via negotiated sponsored agreements with sponsors and embedded staff at sponsor locations.

Name

GTRI - Georgia Tech

Legal name

Georgia Institute of Technology

Website

https://gtri.gatech.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

GTRI is the applied research arm of the Georgia Institute of Technology, operating as a DoD University Affiliated Research Center that delivers sponsored R&D in sensors, autonomous systems, electronic warfare, quantum, and cyber for the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense and National Security Applied Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), National Security and International Affairs (9281), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Space Research and Technology (92711), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK), Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO), Industry/Domain Analytics Solutions & Accelerators (BPAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Applied defense research
• Electronic warfare systems
• Cybersecurity solutions
• Sensor technology development
• University affiliated research

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sponsored Research Contracts: GTRI's primary revenue comes from sponsored research contracts with the U.S. federal government (primarily Department of Defense), state government agencies, and industry partners. In FY2025, GTRI secured $964 million in new sponsored contracts, approaching $1 billion organization status.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GTRI delivers sponsored applied research and technology development services to U.S. federal agencies (primarily the Department of Defense), state governments, and industry partners through eight laboratories covering sensors, information systems, autonomous systems, and technology for society. It also develops and deploys proprietary defense, sensing, healthcare, environmental, and quantum technologies for mission sponsors.

Product overview

GTRI (Georgia Tech Research Institute) is the nonprofit applied research division of Georgia Institute of Technology, offering a broad portfolio of research services and developed technologies across eight laboratories spanning Sensors, Information, Systems, and Technology for Society. The organization functions as a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) providing problem-solving research for U.S. federal government agencies, state organizations, and industry. GTRI's product portfolio includes defense technologies (FalconView mapping system, Angry Kitten electronic attack pods, APAT and XPAT radar systems), quantum computing infrastructure (cryogenic vacuum chambers), healthcare technologies (smart wound monitoring bandage, Georgia APCD cost comparison tool), environmental technologies (nanoparticle water purification, BHIG-MESS poultry house systems), and remote sensing platforms (SCHORTY LiDAR-class system). The organization also operates K-12 STEM outreach programs, the Military Graduate Research Program, and produces annual reports and research podcasts. Notable programs include the MISSE-22 space materials testing mission and the SatisfAI AI ethics education game.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GTRI Applied Research Services GTRI's core applied research services spanning eight laboratories covering Sensors, Information, Systems, and Technology for Society. Provides problem-solving research for U.S. federal government, state agencies, and industry partners.
• FalconView Mapping system developed for the U.S. Department of Defense providing mission planning, navigation, and threat avoidance capabilities. Serves as the mapping interface for JMPS, PFPS, and XPlan software suites.
• Angry Kitten Electronic Attack Pods Electronic warfare attack pods developed to counter rapidly-evolving electronic warfare threats. Integrated onto multiple aircraft platforms including F-16, F-18, A-10, and MQ-9 Reaper.
• Advanced Phased Array Antenna Technology (APAT) Advanced antenna system developed for capturing telemetry signals during hypersonic flight tests, using Radio Frequency System on Chip (RFSoC) technology to process signals directly on antenna elements.
• XPAT (Polarization-Diverse X-Band AESA Testbed) Fully-integrated compact X-band polarization-diverse Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) testbed for airborne and ground-based radar applications with reconfigurable software-defined RF aperture.
• SCHORTY (Scheimpflug Optical Ranging Technology) LiDAR-class 3D sensing platform using camera-native form factor based on Scheimpflug optical principle. Designed for remote sensing, object tracking, environmental mapping, and atmospheric monitoring applications.
• Smart Wound Monitoring Bandage Flexible, low-cost wearable sensor embedded in bandage for real-time monitoring of wound healing, specifically designed for chronic diabetic foot ulcers and battlefield medical applications.
• Cryogenic Vacuum Chamber for Quantum Ion Trapping Improved cryogenic vacuum chamber designed to reduce noise in quantum computing experiments by isolating ions from vibrations and shielding from magnetic field fluctuations.
• Georgia APCD Cost Comparison Tool Consumer-facing web tool allowing Georgia residents to compare estimated costs for over 200 medical procedures across facilities statewide.
• MISSE-22 Materials Testing Space materials testing program sending experimental polymers to the International Space Station for exposure to atomic oxygen, extreme temperatures, and radiation to evaluate durability for satellite constellations.
• Digital Train Inspection Portals AI and machine vision-based system for examining moving trains at up to 60 mph to identify mechanical defects, developed in collaboration with Norfolk Southern Corporation.
• Pathogen Genomics Platform Genomics data platform developed for the CDC to help public health authorities analyze and share airborne pathogen data efficiently.
• Severe Storms Research Center (SSRC) Research center focused on megaflash lightning detection and severe storm prediction using satellite data.
• Nanoparticle Water Purification Technology Innovative nanoparticle technology for wastewater treatment that improves treatment efficiency, reduces waste, and leads to safer discharge or reuse.
• BHIG-MESS Poultry House System Climate and moisture control technology for poultry house operations featuring tiled floors for automatic manure removal and an inflatable enclosure ('chicken bubble') to minimize air volume requiring conditioning.
• Mold Conditions Awareness Tool (MCAT) Sensor system developed for military barracks to detect and mitigate mold conditions that affect soldier belongings after deployments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $1 billion in annual research contracts ($964M in FY2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRL collaborates with GTRI on space materials research, including the MISSE-22 mission testing polymer materials on the International Space Station for satellite durability improvements.
• Aegis AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAegis Aerospace operates the MISSE Flight Facility on the ISS where GTRI researchers test materials for space durability applications.
• DuPont de NemourscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuPont collaborates with GTRI on materials research for the MISSE-22 space station mission, providing polymer materials for testing.
• Los Alamos National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Alamos National Laboratory collaborated with GTRI on quantum computing research, specifically the development of cryogenic vacuum chambers for ion trapping experiments.
• Norfolk Southern CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorfolk Southern partnered with GTRI to develop digital train inspection portals using AI and machine vision to examine trains at up to 60 mph for mechanical defects.
• Emory UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTRI collaborates with Emory University researchers including Dr. Wilbur Lam on smart wound healing sensor development and biomedical applications.
• NASA Marshall Space Flight CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTRI collaborates with NASA on lightning research and severe storm prediction through the Severe Storms Research Center (SSRC), including megaflash lightning discoveries.
• Georgia Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTRI works with Georgia Department of Public Health on the Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence for airborne pathogen detection technologies.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC funding supports GTRI's development of new technologies to detect airborne pathogens in large buildings through the Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence.
• University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with GTRI on space materials testing for the MISSE-22 International Space Station mission.
• U.S. Army Europe and AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTRI maintains embedded presence with USAREUR-AF headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, providing strategic engagement and field support.
• Georgia Tech Academic UnitscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTRI collaborates extensively with Georgia Tech academic departments including Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and others on interdisciplinary research projects.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL): DoD UAR/FFRDC performing sponsored research for the U.S. government in missile defense, space, autonomous systems, and national security. The closest analog to GTRI in mission, sponsor mix, and applied research mandate.
• MITRE Corporation: FFRDC operating federally funded research centers for the DoD, FAA, and other agencies on systems engineering, cyber, and defense technology. Comparable as a federally chartered research organization working on DoD mission problems.
• Sandia National Laboratories: National laboratory operated by NTTS for the U.S. DoD/NNSA, performing R&D in nuclear deterrence, sensors, autonomy, and high-performance computing. Directly comparable as a large-scale applied research entity serving national security sponsors.
• Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA): Federally funded research and development center serving the DoD and other agencies with scientific and analytic studies. Directly comparable as a DoD-serving research organization with similar consultant-style engagement model.
• SRI International: Independent nonprofit research institute performing sponsored R&D for government and commercial clients across AI, sensing, biomedical, and security. Comparable in nonprofit, multidisciplinary, federally anchored applied research model.
• MIT Lincoln Laboratory: Federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) operated by MIT and similarly chartered to perform DoD R&D in sensors, communications, electronic warfare, and air/missile defense. Directly comparable as a DoD-affiliated applied research institute with similar portfolio breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Los Alamos National Laboratory: National laboratory operated for the U.S. DoD/NNSA with research in nuclear security, quantum computing, and applied science. Already a GTRI research partner, and broadly comparable as a federally chartered research entity.
• RAND Corporation: Nonprofit policy research institution serving the U.S. government with research across defense, homeland security, and broader policy. While more analysis-focused than GTRI, it shares the federally sponsored, UARC-adjacent model.
• Battelle Memorial Institute: Large nonprofit applied science organization managing national laboratories and federal R&D programs across defense, energy, and health. Comparable scale, breadth, and federal sponsor dependence, though portfolio is broader than GTRI's defense focus.

Regional players

• The Aerospace Corporation: FFRDC serving the U.S. Space Force and broader national security space community with R&D and mission assurance. Comparable as a federally chartered research institute in space and defense technology, though focused on space rather than multi-domain defense.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GTRI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GTRIVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/GTRIFan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/georgia-tech-research-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/georgiatechresearchinstitute

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GTRI - Georgia Tech