Enlightened
Enlightened, Inc. is a HUBZone-certified IT and management consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., delivering cybersecurity, software development, management consulting, BPO, system modernization, and industry-specific solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies, with a commercial cybersecurity sub-brand (NetXaminer) and the Envisioned Group smart-infrastructure joint venture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Enlightened does
Enlightened, Inc. is a privately held, founder-led information technology and management consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1997 (some sources cite 1999) and co-founded and led by CEO Antwanye Ford, the firm employs 200+ professionals and operates from its headquarters in the MLK Gateway development in Anacostia, with additional offices in New York City and San Antonio. The firm is HUBZone, Small Business, MBE (across 17 jurisdictions), DBE, CBE, and SLBE certified, and holds CMMI-DEV Level 3 and CMMI-SVC Level 3 ratings, providing regulatory and quality credentials that are central to its bid posture.
The company's product portfolio spans six service lines: cybersecurity services (vulnerability assessments, certification and accreditation, FISMA/NIST compliance, security testing, enterprise risk, lab integration, training); custom software development and integration (SharePoint, BizTalk, business intelligence, biometric identification, COTS implementation); management consulting (PMO, IT strategic planning, business process re-engineering, training, IV&V); business process outsourcing (staff augmentation, MBE certification processing, quality assurance); industry-specific solutions (healthcare cybersecurity including HIPAA and medical-device security; transportation SCADA/ICS and intelligent transportation systems); and system modernization (legacy assessment, SOA/microservices/API-first redesign, DevSecOps, UI modernization, IAM integration). The technology stack incorporates Palo Alto firewalls, Qualys VMDR, Microsoft Intune, BMC Remedy 8.x, and an AWS cloud practice at Select Tier status, with a Services Offering Foundational Technical Review completed for a Health Information Exchange solution. NetXaminer is the firm's commercial cybersecurity sub-brand and Envisioned Group is a joint venture with ARGO Systems focused on smart-city infrastructure.
Enlightened monetizes primarily through professional services delivered via government time-and-materials and firm-fixed-price contracts under a broad vehicle portfolio including GSA MAS (47QTCA22D00DU), CIO-SP3 Small Business, CMS SPARC, Navy SEAPORT NXG, FAA eFAST, Army ITES-2S, VA T4NG, DHS EAGLE II, ENCORE II, DCSS CW44171, and Maryland CATS II, supplemented by AWS and Verizon channel delivery. The customer base is concentrated in federal defense and civilian agencies (OPM, HHS/CMS/NIH, VA, HUD, DOL, Navy, Army, SOUTHCOM, INSCOM) and state and local governments (DC, MD, NY, OH, IL). Pricing is bid-based at GSA pre-approved rates and not publicly disclosed.
Enlightened firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Enlightened
- Legal name
- Enlightened, Inc.
- Website
- https://enlightened.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Enlightened, Inc. is a HUBZone-certified IT and management consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., delivering cybersecurity, software development, management consulting, BPO, system modernization, and industry-specific solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies, with a commercial cybersecurity sub-brand (NetXaminer) and the Envisioned Group smart-infrastructure joint venture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Enlightened industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT and Management Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Strategy & IT Advisory (BPAEAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cybersecurity & Identity Consulting (BPAHAEAG), Digital Strategy & Transformation (BPAHAEAA), Data Engineering, Integration & ETL/ELT Services (BPAEAHAB)
Keywords
Where Enlightened is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Enlightened business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government IT Consulting: Professional services revenue generated through government contracts including IT consulting, cybersecurity, software development, system integration, and management consulting for federal, state, and local government agencies. Revenue derived from various contract vehicles including time-and-materials and firm-fixed-price arrangements.
- Business Process Outsourcing Services: BPO services spanning government and state/local organizations, including IT staff augmentation and certification processing.
- Cloud and AWS Professional Services: AWS cloud practice providing professional services for cloud migration and modernization to public sector customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government contracting services through GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) at pre-approved negotiated rates |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Enlightened product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Enlightened is an IT and management consulting firm delivering cybersecurity services, custom software development and integration, management consulting, business process outsourcing, industry-specific solutions (healthcare and transportation), and system modernization to federal, state, and local government agencies. Revenue is generated through professional services delivered on government contract vehicles (GSA MAS, CIO-SP3, SEAPORT NXG, eFAST, ITES-2S, VA T4NG, EAGLE II, and others), with an AWS cloud practice supporting cloud migration and modernization. The firm also operates a commercial cybersecurity sub-brand, NetXaminer, and co-founded the Envisioned Group joint venture for smart infrastructure.
Product overview
Enlightened is an award-winning IT and Management Consulting firm that delivers end-to-end solutions through six core service offerings: Cybersecurity Services, Software Development and Integration, Management Consulting, Industry-Specific Solutions (healthcare and transportation), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and System Modernization. The company also operates NetXaminer as a commercial cybersecurity sub-brand and co-founded Envisioned Group (a joint venture with ARGO Systems) for smart infrastructure development. Enlightened primarily serves federal, state, and local government agencies alongside commercial sector clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Envisioned Group: Joint venture with ARGO Systems focused on smart infrastructure and digital transformation of cities.
- NetXaminer
Products and services
- Cybersecurity Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 100 pilots' flight physicals maintained and updated; 3,500+ soldiers' medical documentation reviewed and processed; 300+ post-deployment medical screenings processed for COVID-19
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Enlightened
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Enlightened technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Enlightened partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreAWS Select Tier Services Partner in the AWS Public Sector Partner Network. Enlightened delivers mission-critical AWS solutions to federal, state, and local government as well as commercial customers. Graduated from AWS Partner Acceleration Team following six-month development period. Achieved technical validation through Services Offering Foundational Technical Review (SOFTR) for Health Information Exchange solution.
- VerizoncoreNamed partner for delivery of Verizon Solutions and Services for the Port Authority of NY NJ. Strategic relationship for delivering telecommunications and technology solutions to transportation infrastructure.
- ARGO Systems, LLCcoreCreated integrated joint venture 'Envisioned Group' to lead development of solutions for digital transformation of cities and infrastructure. Combined Enlightened's IT consulting expertise with ARGO's construction and engineering capabilities for smart infrastructure projects.
- NextWave Safety Solutions, Inc.majorPartnership combining physical safety and security (NextWave) with IT and systems security (Enlightened) to bring comprehensive risk management solutions to NYC and DC areas. Relevant to major civic and infrastructure projects. Both firms committed to MWBE and veteran-owned business expansion.
- Howard UniversitycorePartnership to launch Howard University Cybersecurity Education and Research Center (CERC). Co-led by CEO Antwanye Ford and Dr. Rajni Goel. Focus on Workforce Development, Executive Training, and Research and Development. Goal to develop jobs and make students choose to stay in DC.
- The Menkiti GroupmajorMLK Gateway Community Partners, LLC (MGCP) joint development of MLK Gateway project in Anacostia. Over 50,500 sf new development including commercial office, retail, and restaurant space. Enlightened moving headquarters and bringing 150 jobs to Ward 8. Project awarded Excellence in Historic Preservation.
- JASINT Consulting and Technologies, LLCcoreMentor-protégé relationship under DoD Mentor Protégé Program through NGA. Received 2016 Nunn-Perry Award recognizing successful mentor-protégé team. Enlightened provided cybersecurity lab, business infrastructure training, and developmental assistance. JASINT received first prime contract as result of partnership.
- DXC TechnologyminorSmall business partner listed on Enlightened partners page. DXC serves as a prime contractor with Enlightened as subcontractor.
- Virtual EAminorSmall business partner listed on Enlightened partners page.
- PMCSminorSmall business partner listed on Enlightened partners page.
- MyriddianminorSmall business partner listed on Enlightened partners page.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Enlightened competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Booz Allen Hamilton: Large publicly traded federal IT and management consulting firm. Highly comparable as a senior prime contractor on the same GSA and GWAC vehicles serving the same federal civilian and defense customers, although it operates at materially greater scale and broader portfolio scope than Enlightened.
- Leidos: Large publicly traded federal IT and systems integrator. Competes for the same federal civilian IT modernization and cybersecurity task orders that Enlightened pursues, often positioning smaller firms as subcontractors.
- SAIC: Federal IT services and solutions integrator. Directly comparable in delivering systems integration, cybersecurity, and management consulting through GWAC vehicles like CIO-SP3, SEAPORT NXG, and OASIS where Enlightened also competes.
- ManTech: Federal IT services firm (now under Carlyle) with deep defense/intelligence and federal civilian footprint. Highly comparable cybersecurity and systems integration offerings, though at meaningfully larger scale and prime position.
- Peraton: Large federal IT/services contractor focused on defense, intelligence, and federal civilian. Comparable in mission-critical IT services and modernization for the same customer base, though operates at materially larger scale.
Direct peers
- ICF International: Mid-size public firm providing IT, management consulting, and digital services to federal civilian and commercial clients. Closely comparable operating model and customer profile to Enlightened, including state/local and healthcare exposure.
- CGI Federal: Subsidiary of CGI Inc. providing IT and management consulting to federal agencies. Highly comparable in delivering custom software development, systems integration, and BPO services to the same federal civilian customers as Enlightened.
- Maximus: Public firm delivering IT and operational services to federal, state, and local government. Directly comparable in BPO, IT modernization, and state government programs like Enlightened's State Disbursement Unit operations.
- Sevatec: HUBZone-certified, small-business federal IT services firm headquartered in the DC region. Directly comparable in size, set-aside positioning, and core offerings (data analytics, cybersecurity, software development) for federal civilian and DoD customers.
- NetImpact Strategies: Small HUBZone-certified federal IT and management consulting firm. Closely comparable to Enlightened in size, set-aside strategy, focus on IT modernization, data analytics, and program management for federal civilian clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Enlightened social profiles
Digital presenceEnlightened compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
Enlightened financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Enlightened leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Enlightened subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Enlightened funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Enlightened 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 Enlightened
What does Enlightened do?
Enlightened is an IT and management consulting firm delivering cybersecurity services, custom software development and integration, management consulting, business process outsourcing, industry-specific solutions (healthcare and transportation), and system modernization to federal, state, and local government agencies. Revenue is generated through professional services delivered on government contract vehicles (GSA MAS, CIO-SP3, SEAPORT NXG, eFAST, ITES-2S, VA T4NG, EAGLE II, and others), with an AWS cloud practice supporting cloud migration and modernization. The firm also operates a commercial cybersecurity sub-brand, NetXaminer, and co-founded the Envisioned Group joint venture for smart infrastructure.
Is Enlightened a public or private company?
Enlightened is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Enlightened founded?
Enlightened was founded in 1997. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Enlightened based?
Enlightened is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Enlightened make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government IT Consulting is the primary driver. The others are business Process Outsourcing Services and cloud and AWS Professional Services.
Who are Enlightened's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, ManTech and Peraton. Direct peers are ICF International, CGI Federal, Maximus, Sevatec and NetImpact Strategies.
Does Enlightened have an API?
No public API is recorded for Enlightened.
What industry is Enlightened in?
Enlightened's product category is IT and Management Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAAAA, Strategy & IT Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAHAEAG, Cybersecurity & Identity Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 8742.