UI LABS
UI LABS operates MxD, the nation's Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute, a Chicago-based membership nonprofit that partners with the U.S. Department of War to convene 350+ manufacturers, technology providers, and government stakeholders around digital adoption, cybersecurity, and workforce development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UI LABS does
UI LABS operates MxD (Manufacturing x Digital), the nation's designated Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute, a Chicago-based membership-based nonprofit convener founded in 2013. The organization partners directly with the U.S. Department of War to strengthen the U.S. industrial base, serving a network of 350+ member companies spanning defense primes (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Rolls-Royce), industrial manufacturers (Siemens, Oshkosh, Eaton), healthcare companies (Abbott, Baxter), and technology providers (Google Cloud, Cisco, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cognizant, EY).
MxD's platform is organized around three pillars: Digital Manufacturing (data-as-foundation frameworks and 5G Wireless Factory Hub capabilities), Cybersecurity (Playbook for CMMC, Cyber Playbook for Additive Manufacturing, Cyber Resource Hub, Cybersecurity Buyer's Guide), and Workforce (Virtual Training Center, Workforce Readiness Guides, and specialized hiring guides for cybersecurity, digital, and EV manufacturing roles). Supporting infrastructure includes the experiential MxD Factory Floor facility, the xChange member platform, the annual MxD Summit, and an in-house Recording Studio for content production. The organization also publishes strategic documents such as the MxD Outlook 2026-2028 and domain-specific roadmaps like the 2026 Casting & Forging Digital Fabric Roadmap.
Revenue mechanics are built on a tiered membership model providing exclusive access to workshops, networking events, and collaborative project opportunities, supplemented by federal funding (a $10M federal award was recorded in 2014) and likely ongoing government contracting tied to the Department of War partnership. MxD positions itself as a solution-neutral advisor, explicitly not aligned with any single technology vendor, which differentiates it from systems integrators or consultancies competing for similar digital transformation mandates.
UI LABS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UI LABS
- Legal name
- MxD (Manufacturing x Digital)
- Website
- https://uilabs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- UI LABS operates MxD, the nation's Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute, a Chicago-based membership nonprofit that partners with the U.S. Department of War to convene 350+ manufacturers, technology providers, and government stakeholders around digital adoption, cybersecurity, and workforce development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UI LABS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Manufacturing Research and Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ)
Keywords
Where UI LABS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
UI LABS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
UI LABS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UI LABS is a Chicago-based research and commercialization agency that operates MxD (Manufacturing x Digital), the nation's Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute. It convenes a 350+ member network of manufacturers, academic institutions, and government stakeholders to advance digital adoption, cybersecurity practices, and workforce capabilities across U.S. industry, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War.
Product overview
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital), the nation's Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute, operates as a solution-neutral advisor and convener focused on strengthening the U.S. industrial base through digital adoption. The organization functions as a platform-plus-services model comprising three core pillars: Digital Manufacturing (encompassing Data as Foundation and 5G Wireless Factory capabilities), Cybersecurity (including Playbook for CMMC, Cyber Playbook: Additive Manufacturing, Cyber Resource Hub, and Cybersecurity Buyer's Guide), and Workforce development (featuring Virtual Training Center and various Hiring Guides). Supporting services include the MxD Factory Floor (experiential manufacturing environment with tours and workshops), Defense Collaboration initiatives, MxD Summit 2026 (annual conference), MxD Recording Studio, and strategic planning through MxD Outlook 2026-2028. The organization convenes a network of 350 members spanning manufacturers, academic institutions, and government stakeholders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MxD Factory Floor: State-of-the-art experiential manufacturing environment and facility for hands-on workshops and collaborative project opportunities
- MxD xChange
- MxD Summit
- MxD Virtual Recording Studio
Products and services
- Digital Manufacturing Program A core program pillar advancing digital adoption through supply chain modernization, including data as foundation frameworks and 5G wireless factory hub capabilities. Targeted at manufacturers seeking digital transformation.
- Cybersecurity Program Cybersecurity solutions including the Playbook for CMMC, Cyber Playbook for Additive Manufacturing, Cyber Resource Hub, Cyber Report, and Cybersecurity Buyer's Guide to ensure safe and secure manufacturing practices. Targeted at defense and industrial manufacturers needing cybersecurity compliance and readiness.
- Workforce Development Program Workforce development solutions including the Virtual Training Center, Workforce Readiness Guides, Cybersecurity Hiring Guide, Digital Hiring Guide, EV Hiring Guide, and OIB Workforce Readiness Guide to develop manufacturing workforce skills.
- MxD Factory Floor An experiential manufacturing environment featuring state-of-the-art digital manufacturing technologies, offering staff-led tours and hands-on workshops for members to experiment with and see digital manufacturing technologies in action.
- Defense Collaboration Program Collaboration initiatives with the U.S. Department of War and defense stakeholders to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and modernize defense manufacturing. Targeted at defense contractors and government agencies.
- MxD Summit 2026 Annual summit event bringing together manufacturers, academic institutions, and government stakeholders to address critical manufacturing challenges in digital adoption and cybersecurity.
Companies that use UI LABS
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UI LABS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
UI LABS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- U.S. Department of WarcoreMxD works in direct partnership with the U.S. Department of War to strengthen the U.S. industrial base through digital manufacturing and cybersecurity initiatives.
- BoeingflagshipBoeing participates as a member of MxD's 350-member network, engaging in digital manufacturing and cybersecurity collaboration.
- Lockheed MartinflagshipLockheed Martin participates as a member of MxD's network, collaborating on defense manufacturing modernization and cybersecurity initiatives.
- Northrop GrummanflagshipNorthrop Grumman is a member of MxD's network, engaging in digital manufacturing and cybersecurity collaboration for defense applications.
- Google CloudcoreGoogle Cloud partners with MxD to provide cloud infrastructure and technology collaboration for digital manufacturing initiatives.
- SiemenscoreSiemens collaborates with MxD on digital manufacturing technology and solutions as a member of the network.
- RTX (Raytheon)flagshipRTX participates as a member of MxD's network, engaging in defense manufacturing and cybersecurity collaboration.
- CiscocoreCisco partners with MxD on networking and technology solutions for digital manufacturing environments.
- Rolls-RoyceflagshipRolls-Royce collaborates with MxD on digital manufacturing as a member of the network.
- Abbott LaboratoriesflagshipAbbott Laboratories participates as a member of MxD's network, engaging in digital manufacturing collaboration.
- Oshkosh CorporationflagshipOshkosh Corporation is a member of MxD's network, collaborating on defense and industrial manufacturing.
- EYcoreEY collaborates with MxD on digital transformation consulting and strategy as a member of the network.
- CognizantcoreCognizant partners with MxD on digital transformation and technology implementation for manufacturing clients.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UI LABS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- America Makes: National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute and fellow Manufacturing USA institute. Directly comparable as a federally chartered convener for additive manufacturing R&D, workforce, and ecosystem building, with overlapping defense and commercial members.
- ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute: Manufacturing USA institute focused on industrial robotics. Comparable as a public-private manufacturing innovation institute that convenes industry, academia, and government to advance manufacturing technology adoption.
- LIFT (Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow): Manufacturing USA institute for lightweight metals manufacturing. Directly comparable as a federally backed manufacturing innovation consortium driving technology adoption, education, and member-based collaboration.
- CESMII (Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute): Smart manufacturing institute under Manufacturing USA. Comparable in mandate to accelerate digital and smart manufacturing adoption across U.S. industry through member-based programs, education, and ecosystem convening.
- NextFlex: Manufacturing USA institute for flexible hybrid electronics. Directly comparable as a federally funded innovation consortium that convenes manufacturers, academia, and government for advanced manufacturing technology development.
- National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS): Cross-industry manufacturing consortium serving U.S. manufacturers, the DoD, and government agencies. Highly comparable as a membership-based convener delivering collaborative R&D projects, workforce programs, and technology transition in manufacturing.
- IACMI – The Composites Institute: Manufacturing USA institute for advanced composites manufacturing. Comparable as a federally chartered member-driven institute focused on reducing manufacturing cost and energy use, with strong workforce and technology adoption pillars.
- REMADE Institute: Manufacturing USA institute focused on sustainable manufacturing and circular economy. Comparable in structure as a public-private institute that drives R&D, technology adoption, and education across U.S. manufacturing.
- RAPID Manufacturing Institute (AIChE): Manufacturing USA institute for process intensification and modular chemical processing. Comparable as a member-based, federally funded institute that convenes manufacturers, academia, and government for process manufacturing innovation.
Broad incumbents
- SEMI: Global industry association serving the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing supply chain. Comparable as a broad industry convener driving standards, workforce development, and ecosystem collaboration in advanced manufacturing, though at much larger scale and with a hardware focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UI LABS social profiles
Digital presenceUI LABS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UI LABS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
UI LABS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UI LABS 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 UI LABS
What does UI LABS do?
UI LABS is a Chicago-based research and commercialization agency that operates MxD (Manufacturing x Digital), the nation's Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute. It convenes a 350+ member network of manufacturers, academic institutions, and government stakeholders to advance digital adoption, cybersecurity practices, and workforce capabilities across U.S. industry, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War.
Is UI LABS a public or private company?
UI LABS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was UI LABS founded?
UI LABS was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is UI LABS based?
UI LABS is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
Who are UI LABS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are America Makes, ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute, LIFT (Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow), CESMII (Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute), NextFlex, National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), IACMI – The Composites Institute, REMADE Institute and RAPID Manufacturing Institute (AIChE). SEMI is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does UI LABS have an API?
No public API is recorded for UI LABS.
What industry is UI LABS in?
UI LABS's product category is Manufacturing Research and Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAM, Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of IMAAAJAA, Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.