MxD
MxD is a Chicago-based nonprofit Manufacturing USA institute and federally designated National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing that convenes 300+ manufacturers, technology providers, academic institutions, and government stakeholders to advance digital adoption, cybersecurity preparedness, and workforce development across the U.S. industrial base.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MxD does
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital, legally UI LABS d/b/a MXD USA) is a Chicago-based, federally designated Manufacturing USA institute and nonprofit organization founded in 2014. The company operates as a neutral convener and solution-neutral advisor that brings together manufacturers, academic institutions, technology providers, and government stakeholders (principally the U.S. Department of Defense) to advance digital adoption, cybersecurity preparedness, and workforce development across the U.S. industrial base. Its primary sponsor is the DoD through OSD ManTech and the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, with the institute carrying the additional designation of National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing.
MxD's core offerings span a physical and digital infrastructure portfolio rather than a single product. The 22,000-square-foot Chicago Factory Floor functions as a research factory housing digital twin capabilities, an AI-driven defect classification system (co-developed with Siemens and M.K. Morse), a Cybertown cyber-attack simulation testbed, and a 5G/6G Wireless Factory Hub with private cellular networks from UScellular, Betacom, and AT&T. The Virtual Training Center and CAPITAL program deliver on-demand digital manufacturing curricula to over 23,000 enrolled learners across 27 states, supported by an xChange member collaboration portal. Proprietary deliverables include the Machine-to-X Data Standards Playbook, the CMMC 2.0 Interactive Playbook (with Ohio State CDME), the Cyber Playbook for Additive Manufacturing, the CyberSecure Supplier Program, and the EV Hiring Guide outlining 170 EV manufacturing roles.
Revenue derives from three streams: a five-year $40 million DoD contract renewed in December 2024 (matched dollar-for-dollar by MxD and members); cumulative $415 million in prior public-private investments across 189 projects since 2014; and tiered membership fees from 300+ active members (650+ lifetime) across Tier 1/2/3 tiers. Tier 1 partners include Boeing, Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Dow, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, DMG MORI, and EY. The organization has generated 540+ IP assets, engaged 350,000+ learners across workforce programs, and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Billy Bardin of Dow.
MxD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MxD
- Legal name
- UI LABS d/b/a MXD USA
- Website
- https://mxdusa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MxD is a Chicago-based nonprofit Manufacturing USA institute and federally designated National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing that convenes 300+ manufacturers, technology providers, academic institutions, and government stakeholders to advance digital adoption, cybersecurity preparedness, and workforce development across the U.S. industrial base.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MxD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Manufacturing Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- 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)
Keywords
Where MxD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MxD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Department of Defense Core Agreement: Five-year government contract providing $40 million in funding, matched dollar for dollar by MxD and its members, supporting digital manufacturing, cybersecurity, and workforce development solutions
- Public-Private Investment Portfolio: $415 million in prior public-private investments across 194 projects supporting R&D, cybersecurity, and workforce development, generating over 540 IP assets
- Tiered Membership Program: Membership fees from Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 members providing exclusive access to factory floor demonstrations, workshops, networking events, and collaborative project opportunities
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
MxD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MxD is a federally designated Manufacturing USA institute that convenes manufacturers, technology providers, academia, and government stakeholders to advance digital manufacturing and cybersecurity adoption in the U.S. industrial base. Its core offerings center on a 22,000-square-foot Factory Floor used for technology testing and demonstration, a Virtual Training Center with the CAPITAL workforce development program, the CyberSecure Supplier Program and CMMC compliance playbooks, and shared R&D project execution funded through tiered membership and a five-year $40 million DoD contract.
Product overview
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) is a federally designated Manufacturing USA institute offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include the Virtual Training Center (VTC) and CAPITAL Program for workforce development, the MxD Factory Floor as a physical demonstration and testing facility, xChange member portal, Cybersecurity Solutions including the CyberSecure Supplier Program and CMMC Playbook, and various technology initiatives like Cybertown and AI-powered inspection systems. These programs work together to advance digital adoption, cybersecurity preparedness, and workforce development across U.S. manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MxD Learn: Workforce development division offering virtual training programs including the CAPITAL program for digital manufacturing and cybersecurity careers.
- MxD Factory Floor
- CAPITAL Program
- Cybertown
- CyberSecure Supplier Program
Products and services
- MxD Factory Floor 22,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research factory used to test and demonstrate new manufacturing technology, train the workforce, and showcase cybersecurity solutions for member companies and partners.
- MxD Virtual Training Center (VTC) Online learning platform offering virtual on-demand trainings for in-demand manufacturing jobs including data annotation, analytics, AR/VR integration, cybersecurity compliance, and supply chain security, targeted at U.S. manufacturers and workforce learners.
- CAPITAL Program (Curriculum and Pathways Integrating Technology and Learning) Free virtual training program addressing skills shortages in U.S. manufacturing by preparing learners for digital roles such as AR/VR integrator, data annotator, analytics, cybersecurity, and supply chain security.
- Cybersecurity Solutions Suite Suite of cybersecurity resources including the Cyber Resource Hub, Playbook for CMMC, Cyber Playbook for Additive Manufacturing, Cyber Report, and Cybersecurity Buyer's Guide to help manufacturers navigate CMMC compliance and emerging AI-driven threats.
- CyberSecure Supplier Program Program providing cybersecurity resources, newsletters, educational content, and webinars that OEMs implement across their supply chains to mitigate cybersecurity risk, recognized as a 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards finalist.
- CMMC 2.0 Interactive Playbook Interactive guide developed with Ohio State University CDME that simplifies the CMMC 2.0 certification process, translating technical requirements into actionable steps with editable templates and training modules for small and medium manufacturers.
- Cybertown 3D-printed testbed representing industrial environments (factory, arsenal, shipyard, power plant, rail line) tied to IT and OT infrastructure, enabling users to simulate cyber-attacks, illustrate operational impact, and test incident response tools.
- Classification & Remediation of Defects using AI AI-powered inspection system developed with Siemens and M.K. Morse that accurately identifies manufacturing defects and provides corrective actions to increase productivity and efficiency on the factory floor.
- 5G Wireless Factory Hub Testbed and demonstration facility showcasing wireless communication technologies (4G, 5G Sub, 5G mmWave, CBRS, WiFi 5, WiFi 6) for digital manufacturing applications including mobile assembly lines and automated guided vehicles.
- Machine-to-X Data Standards Playbook Standards playbook for machine-to-X data exchange that enables interoperability across manufacturing equipment and systems, supporting digital twin and 5G/6G integration efforts.
- Sensor Kit Deployment Program Program deploying pre-configured sensor kits through Purdue MEP that enable manufacturers to collect operational data (temperature, pressure, vibration) without programming expertise, supporting data and automation investments.
- Electric Vehicle Hiring Guide Comprehensive guide outlining 170 critical EV manufacturing roles with deep dives into key positions including EV Engineer, Battery Recycling Process Specialist, and Factory Automation Engineer.
- Workforce Readiness Guides Suite of hiring guides including Cybersecurity Hiring Guide, Digital Hiring Guide, EV Hiring Guide, and OIB Workforce Readiness Guide to help manufacturers attract and retain skilled workers.
- Youth Virtual Career Training Sprints Free virtual work experience modules for students in grades K-12 showcasing careers in data annotation and manufacturing analytics, developed in partnership with Springpod.
Quantifiable outcome
- 350,000+ learners engaged in workforce development programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use MxD
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MxD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature7 records
MxD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- U.S. Department of DefensecoreMxD's founding and primary government sponsor. The DoD has awarded a five-year $40 million contract renewal, matched dollar for dollar by MxD and members, supporting digital manufacturing, cybersecurity, and workforce development. Work is conducted with OSD ManTech and U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory.
- BoeingcoreTier 1 member and founding partner. Boeing supports MxD's vision of bringing automation and AI to manufacturing, with involvement in multiple R&D projects including inventing new global standards for designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards.
- SiemenscoreTier 1 member and founding partner. Siemens brings digital manufacturing and cybersecurity solutions to MxD Factory Floor, with Digital Enterprise Experience Center featuring over a dozen stations and live software systems. Collaborative projects include AI-driven inspection system and Process Automation Testbed.
- Rolls-RoycecoreTier 1 member and defense contractor partner. Has been involved in more R&D projects at MxD than any other partner, including researching state of digital manufacturing in commercial and defense industries and analyzing machined parts variance.
- Northrop GrummancoreTier 1 member and defense contractor. Partner in MxD ecosystem supporting manufacturing innovation and digital transformation initiatives.
- Lockheed MartincoreTier 2 member and founding partner. Supports MxD's strategic vision of bringing automation and AI to manufacturing with involvement in multiple R&D projects.
- RTXcoreTier 1 member and defense contractor actively engaged in MxD ecosystem.
- DMG MORIcoreTier 1 member and world leader in advanced machine tools. Fills 1,600 square feet of dedicated space at MxD Factory Floor with Mobile Factory installation. Invested more than $40.5 million in new advanced manufacturing facility five minutes from MxD.
- CognizantcoreMember with collaboration space on MxD Factory Floor showcasing smart manufacturing solutions. Cognizant's Manufacturing Innovation Center demonstrates how manufacturers can improve production operations at scale.
- CiscocoreTier 2 member sharing 1,000 square feet of space on MxD Factory Floor with TD SYNNEX and Intel. Demonstrates market-ready AI and IoT solutions for manufacturers, including zero-trust industrial operations, IT/OT workflows, and secure remote access.
- TD SYNNEXcoreIT distributor and solutions aggregator sharing space on MxD Factory Floor with Cisco and Intel. Provides AI and IoT manufacturing solutions through resellers and end customers.
- IntelcoreHardware and software solutions provider collaborating with Cisco and TD SYNNEX at MxD Factory Floor for smart factory solutions addressing industrial market needs from data center to edge.
- Google CloudcoreTier 2 member since 2024. Collaborating on building new approaches for data-driven manufacturing using edge computing, cloud, and AI for factory operations and supply chain management.
- UScellularcoreMember leading MxD's focus on private networking technologies for U.S. manufacturing. UScellular's private 5G network solution designed to accelerate digital manufacturing initiatives at MxD.
- BetacomcoreMember since 2022. Installed Private 5G network on MxD Factory Floor as part of new MxD 5G testbed, enabling partners to test industrial automation applications like mobile assembly lines and automated guided vehicles.
- AT&TcoreTier 2 member. Partnered with MxD to form Wireless Testbed harnessing 6 different forms of wireless communication (4G, 5G Sub, 5G mmWave, CBRS, WiFi 5, WiFi 6) for manufacturing digital transport.
- DowcoreTier 1 member and founding partner. Joined MxD to help speed innovation in manufacturing, working on projects from cybersecurity to supply chain.
- EYcoreTier 1 member. EY Digital Operations Hub at MxD showcases immersive experience leveraging physical equipment and digital technologies for operational excellence and supply chain resiliency.
- Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)supportingCollaboration to deploy sensor kits that enable manufacturers to collect operational data (temperature, pressure, vibration) without requiring programming expertise. Plans to install up to 15 kits to demonstrate ROI for data and automation investments.
- SpringpodsupportingOnline career education platform partnered with MxD to create virtual work experience modules ('Sprints') for youth in grades K-12, covering data annotator and manufacturing analytics careers.
- University of Michigan Economic Growth InstitutesupportingPartnership to develop Electric Vehicle Hiring Guide outlining 170 roles critical to EV manufacturing, as part of Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium.
- Ohio State University Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME)supportingCollaboration to create CMMC 2.0 Interactive Playbook, a first-of-its-kind interactive guide simplifying CMMC compliance process for small and medium manufacturers.
- Defense Logistics AgencycoreGovernment partner collaborating on workforce development through DERISC program and defense supply chain initiatives.
- Scope ARsupportingPartnered with MxD, Northrop Grumman, and Ohio State University to transform workforce training using AI and augmented reality content simulating factory floor.
- M.K. MorsesupportingMedium-sized manufacturer partnered with MxD and Siemens on AI-powered inspection system for defect identification, demonstrating AI innovation accessible across organizations of all sizes.
- Kent DisplayssupportingPartnered with MxD, Siemens, and M.K. Morse on AI-powered inspection system project.
- Teradyne Robotics (Universal Robots and MiR)supportingPartnership with Siemens at MxD to accelerate AI-driven automation adoption, showcasing cobots and autonomous mobile robots integrating with Siemens automation systems.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
MxD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- America Makes: America Makes is the Manufacturing USA institute for additive manufacturing, operating under the same DoD-funded public-private model as MxD. It is directly comparable as a federally chartered convener focused on a specific manufacturing technology vertical.
- ARM Institute: The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute is a Manufacturing USA institute headquartered in Pittsburgh focused on robotics in manufacturing. It shares MxD's federally chartered convener model and operates a similar public-private partnership with DoD funding.
- CESMII (Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute): CESMII is a Manufacturing USA institute focused on smart manufacturing and data-driven production. It is comparable to MxD as a federally chartered institute promoting digital adoption across U.S. manufacturing through member-driven projects and workforce programs.
- REMADE Institute: REMADE is a Manufacturing USA institute focused on sustainable manufacturing and circular economy. It shares MxD's federally chartered convener model with similar DoD/DOE-aligned funding and member-driven R&D projects.
- NextFlex: NextFlex is the Manufacturing USA institute for flexible hybrid electronics, operating under the same DoD-funded public-private model. It is comparable to MxD as a federally chartered convener with tiered membership and project-based R&D funding.
- MESA International: MESA International is a global manufacturing community focused on MES/MOM, IIoT, and smart manufacturing. While not federally chartered like MxD, MESA serves a comparable role as a convener of manufacturers and solution providers working on digital adoption and manufacturing intelligence.
Broad incumbents
- The Manufacturing Institute: The Manufacturing Institute is the workforce and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. It is broadly comparable to MxD's workforce development division, particularly around the 350,000+ learner engagement model and digital manufacturing skills initiatives.
- NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP): The NIST MEP is a federal network of centers serving U.S. manufacturers, particularly small and medium manufacturers, on technology adoption and workforce. MxD already partners with Purdue MEP on sensor kit deployments, and MEP's national footprint and SMM focus closely overlap MxD's mission.
- SEMI: SEMI is the global industry association for the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. While semiconductor-focused, SEMI shares MxD's member-driven convener model and operates standards, workforce, and cybersecurity programs comparable to MxD's CMMC and standards efforts.
Others
- Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC / Object Management Group): The Industrial Internet Consortium was an industry organization focused on accelerating the Industrial Internet of Things, now part of OMG. It is adjacent to MxD as an ecosystem convener developing reference architectures for connected industrial systems, including areas like MxD's Machine-to-X Data Standards work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MxD social profiles
Digital presenceMxD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MxD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
MxD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MxD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MxD
What does MxD do?
MxD is a federally designated Manufacturing USA institute that convenes manufacturers, technology providers, academia, and government stakeholders to advance digital manufacturing and cybersecurity adoption in the U.S. industrial base. Its core offerings center on a 22,000-square-foot Factory Floor used for technology testing and demonstration, a Virtual Training Center with the CAPITAL workforce development program, the CyberSecure Supplier Program and CMMC compliance playbooks, and shared R&D project execution funded through tiered membership and a five-year $40 million DoD contract.
Is MxD a public or private company?
MxD is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MxD founded?
MxD was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MxD based?
MxD is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does MxD make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Department of Defense Core Agreement is the primary driver. The others are public-Private Investment Portfolio and tiered Membership Program.
Who are MxD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are America Makes, ARM Institute, CESMII (Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute), REMADE Institute, NextFlex and MESA International. Broad incumbents are The Manufacturing Institute, NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and SEMI. Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC / Object Management Group) is listed as an others.
Does MxD have an API?
No public API is recorded for MxD.
What industry is MxD in?
MxD's product category is Manufacturing Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAJAK, Consulting, Advisory & Technology Transfer (AM Adoption), with a secondary code of IMAAAJAC, Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM). Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7373.