Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is the U.S. government's premier foreign intelligence service, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Langley, Virginia. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates foreign intelligence to the President, National Security Council, and policymakers to inform U.S. national security decisions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Central Intelligence Agency firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Legal name
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Website
- https://cia.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Central Intelligence Agency is the U.S. government's premier foreign intelligence service, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Langley, Virginia. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates foreign intelligence to the President, National Security Council, and policymakers to inform U.S. national security decisions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central Intelligence Agency industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Foreign Intelligence Services
- NAICS
- National Security (928110), National Security and International Affairs (9281), International Affairs (92812)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intelligence (Strategic, Tactical & Technical) (BPAIAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Executive Office / Cabinet Secretariat (BPAIAAAA), Border Security & Homeland Security (BPAIAHAI), Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Regulators (BPAIAOAH)
Keywords
Where Central Intelligence Agency is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central Intelligence Agency business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- US Government Appropriations: CIA is funded through annual appropriations from the US Congress as part of the national intelligence budget. The budget and size of CIA are known in detail and examined by the Office of Management and Budget, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Defense Subcommittees of the Appropriations Committees.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Central Intelligence Agency product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Central Intelligence Agency is the U.S. government's premier foreign intelligence service, collecting foreign intelligence, producing objective analysis, and conducting covert action as directed by the President. Its intelligence products are delivered to the President, National Security Council, and other senior U.S. policymakers to inform national security decisions and counter international terrorism. The agency also maintains public-facing reference resources such as the World Leaders Directory and Studies in Intelligence journal.
Product overview
The Central Intelligence Agency operates as the nation's premier foreign intelligence agency, providing objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the President, National Security Council, and policymakers. Rather than offering commercial products, CIA provides intelligence services including foreign intelligence collection, analysis, and covert action as directed by the President. The agency maintains several public-facing resources including the World Leaders Directory (weekly updated directory of foreign government officials), Studies in Intelligence journal, and various historical publications and monographs through its Center for the Study of Intelligence. CIA also provides oversight services through its Office of Inspector General and Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties, and engages industry through its Partnership Program for procurement and vendor relations. The CIA World Factbook, a long-standing public reference publication, was discontinued in February 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- World Leaders Directory
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully rescued downed American pilot 'Dude 44 Bravo' stranded in Iran for two days using Ghost Murmur technology
Companies that use Central Intelligence Agency
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Central Intelligence Agency technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Central Intelligence Agency partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mexico's Armed ForcescoreCIA agents participated in a raid on a clandestine drug lab in Mexico alongside Mexico's armed forces to dismantle the operation. Two CIA agents and two Mexican officials died in a vehicle crash following the raid. This marked at least the third such CIA operation in Chihuahua that year.
- Startups and Industry LeaderscoreCIA announced a new acquisition framework to streamline technology procurement from the private sector, aiming to accelerate adoption of innovative capabilities. The agency seeks to foster rapid technological integration through partnerships with startups and industry leaders in areas like AI and biotech.
- Source Within Maduro's Inner CirclecoreA CIA team operating in Venezuela since August gathered intelligence that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture during a U.S. military raid. The agency cultivated a source within Maduro's inner circle and gained insights into his daily activities.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Central Intelligence Agency competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Secret Intelligence Service (MI6): The UK's foreign human intelligence service, structurally analogous to CIA in mandate, statutory authority, and covert-action orientation. Most directly comparable foreign intelligence agency in terms of scope, global operating area, and relationship to head-of-state.
- Mossad: Israel's foreign intelligence agency, comparable in foreign intelligence collection, covert action, and paramilitary operations. Similar focus on high-priority regional threats and small-elite operational model.
- Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE): France's foreign intelligence service, with comparable mandate for foreign intelligence collection and covert operations. Operates globally under executive authority, analogous to CIA's relationship with the U.S. President.
- Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND): Germany's federal foreign intelligence service, comparable in foreign intelligence collection scope and parliamentary oversight structure. Similar positioning as a Western allied foreign intelligence agency.
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS): Canada's primary national intelligence service, comparable in mandate to collect foreign intelligence and provide analysis to national decision-makers. Shares Five Eyes partnership and similar accountability framework.
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS): Australia's foreign intelligence agency, comparable in foreign intelligence collection role and Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership. Similar relationship to head-of-state and ministerial oversight.
- Federal Intelligence Service (BND successor agencies): Redundant German foreign intelligence counterpart, mentioned separately to underscore the small set of true peer foreign intelligence services globally with similar statutory mandates.
- Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR RF): Russia's civilian foreign intelligence service, structurally analogous in foreign intelligence collection mandate despite adversarial relationship. Useful as a peer benchmark for global reach and operational scope.
Broad incumbents
- National Security Agency (NSA): U.S. signals intelligence agency, complementary rather than directly competitive. Shares intelligence-community funding pool and inter-agency mission division (CIA on HUMINT, NSA on SIGINT) but operates in a different intelligence discipline.
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA): U.S. military-focused intelligence agency serving defense policymakers. Overlaps with CIA on foreign intelligence analysis but emphasizes military intelligence and serves a different primary customer base (DoD vs. NSC/President).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Central Intelligence Agency social profiles
Digital presenceCentral Intelligence Agency financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central Intelligence Agency leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Central Intelligence Agency subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Central Intelligence Agency funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central Intelligence Agency 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 Central Intelligence Agency
What does Central Intelligence Agency do?
The Central Intelligence Agency is the U.S. government's premier foreign intelligence service, collecting foreign intelligence, producing objective analysis, and conducting covert action as directed by the President. Its intelligence products are delivered to the President, National Security Council, and other senior U.S. policymakers to inform national security decisions and counter international terrorism. The agency also maintains public-facing reference resources such as the World Leaders Directory and Studies in Intelligence journal.
Is Central Intelligence Agency a public or private company?
Central Intelligence Agency is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Central Intelligence Agency founded?
Central Intelligence Agency was founded in 1947. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Central Intelligence Agency based?
Central Intelligence Agency is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Central Intelligence Agency make money?
One revenue line is on record: US Government Appropriations.
Who are Central Intelligence Agency's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Mossad, Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE), Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Federal Intelligence Service (BND successor agencies) and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR RF). Broad incumbents are National Security Agency (NSA) and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Does Central Intelligence Agency have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central Intelligence Agency.
What industry is Central Intelligence Agency in?
Central Intelligence Agency's product category is Foreign Intelligence Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAHAD, Intelligence (Strategic, Tactical & Technical), with a secondary code of BPAIAAAA, Executive Office / Cabinet Secretariat. Its NAICS code is 928110 and its SIC code is 9721.