The Texas A&M University System

What The Texas A&M University System does

The Texas A&M University System is a public state university system that operates the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus, a 3,300-acre innovation and technology campus located in Bryan, Texas. Originally established as Bryan Army Air Field in the 1940s, transferred to Texas A&M in 1962, and rebranded as RELLIS in 2016 (named for the six Aggie Core values: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, Selfless Service), the campus integrates three core functions: education through the RELLIS Academic Alliance, applied research through the RELLIS Research Alliance, and technology testing through the RELLIS Proving Grounds.

The campus operates as a multi-stakeholder platform. Its Academic Alliance delivers 25+ degree pathways through 10+ partner institutions including Tarleton State, TAMU-Corpus Christi, East Texas A&M, TAMU-Kingsville, TAMU-Texarkana, TAMU-San Antonio, West Texas A&M, TAMIU, Prairie View A&M, Stephen F. Austin, and Blinn College District. The Proving Grounds provides specialized testing infrastructure including five full-scale runways, an FAA-approved 12+ mile BVLOS UAS corridor, a subterranean tunnel network for GPS-denied autonomous systems testing, live-fire ranges, a Mobility Challenge Course with robotics environments, a private NextGen 5G network, a Smart Intersection testbed, and a BAM Range for hypersonic and laser testing — supported by 1,400+ principal investigators across the Texas A&M System agencies (TEES, TTI, TEEX, AgriLife, TDEM, BCDC, CIR, Texas A&M CHIPS).

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: tuition and fees collected by partner institutions for degree programs; research contracts and grants from federal, state, and industry partners (including a $59.8M Texas Legislature appropriation for autonomous helicopter wildfire response); facility usage fees for Proving Grounds access by non-TAMUS organizations; workforce training course fees through Blinn College District and TEEX for trades certifications (carpentry, HVAC, welding, facilities maintenance); and ongoing state appropriations. As a public state entity, RELLIS is funded through state appropriations, tuition, grants, and research contracts rather than private capital, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed in standard formats.

Name

The Texas A&M University System

Legal name

The Texas A&M University System

Website

https://rellis.tamus.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Texas A&M-RELLIS is a 3,300-acre public innovation and technology campus operated by The Texas A&M University System, delivering 25+ degree pathways through 10+ partner universities, applied research across 1,400+ principal investigators, and specialized testing infrastructure including FAA-approved UAS corridors and autonomous systems proving grounds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Applied Research Campus

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (6112), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Applied research facilities
• Unmanned aircraft testing
• Workforce training programs
• Defense technology research

Headquarters

HQ city

Bryan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Students pay tuition and fees to their home institution (one of the partner universities: Tarleton State, TAMU-Corpus Christi, East Texas A&M, TAMU-Kingsville, TAMU-Texarkana, TAMU-San Antonio, West Texas A&M, TAMIU, Prairie View A&M, Stephen F. Austin, Blinn College). RELLIS functions as a shared campus facility where partner institutions deliver degree programs, with each institution managing its own tuition and fee structure.
2. Research Contracts and Grants: RELLIS serves as a research facility for federal, state, and industry partners. With over 1,400 principal investigators, the campus generates revenue through applied research agreements with government agencies (including TDEM, federal defense programs) and private industry partners. Usage fees apply for specific facilities such as runway systems.
3. Facility Rental and Usage Fees: Non-TAMUS organizations and companies can partner with a TAMUS entity or execute agreements to use RELLIS Proving Grounds and facilities. Designated sections of the runway system or specific facilities are subject to usage fees. Office space is also available for leasing to federal, state, and industry partners.
4. Workforce Training Programs: RELLIS offers workforce training and certifications through Blinn College District (carpentry, facilities maintenance, HVAC, welding) and TEEX (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service). These programs generate revenue through course registration fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Texas A&M University System operates the RELLIS campus as an integrated higher-education, applied-research, and technology-testing facility. It delivers bachelor's and associate degree pathways through the RELLIS Academic Alliance (11 partner institutions on a single campus), provides certified workforce training in skilled trades (carpentry, HVAC, welding, facilities maintenance), and offers federal/state/industry partners secure access to a 1,300-acre Proving Grounds with runways, BVLOS UAS airspace, hypersonic/laser ranges, subterranean tunnels, and a private 5G network for testing autonomous systems, weapons, and emerging technologies.

Product overview

Texas A&M-RELLIS is an innovation and technology campus that operates through multiple integrated offerings. The core RELLIS Academic Alliance provides degree pathways from 11 partner institutions including Texas A&M System universities and Blinn College District. The RELLIS Proving Grounds provides research and testing infrastructure with specialized facilities for UAS operations, mobility testing, and spectrum testing. Workforce training programs offered through Blinn College District provide vocational certifications in skilled trades. Supporting services include the Learning Resource Center, Writing Center, and Tutoring Center for student academic support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RELLIS Academic Alliance Educational initiative offering 25+ bachelor's and associate degree pathways from Texas A&M System universities and Blinn College District at a single Bryan, Texas campus. Students apply through any partner institution (Tarleton State, TAMU-Corpus Christi, East Texas A&M, TAMU-Kingsville, TAMU-Texarkana, TAMU-San Antonio, West Texas A&M, TAMIU, Prairie View A&M, Stephen F. Austin, Blinn College) and earn a seamless associate-to-bachelor's pathway.
• RELLIS Proving Grounds Secure 1,300-acre research, development, testing, and evaluation environment with five full-scale runways, FAA-approved BVLOS UAS corridor, subterranean GPS-denied tunnels, live-fire ranges, mobility courses, robotics environments, and a private 5G network. Usage-based fees apply for designated facilities; non-TAMUS organizations must partner with a TAMUS entity to access the site.
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Comprehensive UAS operations including FAA Part 107 operations, a 12+ mile BVLOS corridor, training, certification, and support for drone development and deployment at the RELLIS Proving Grounds.
• Workforce Training Programs Vocational training and certifications in carpentry, facilities maintenance, HVAC, and welding technology offered through Blinn College District with multiple certificate levels and associate degrees, delivered through Blinn's workforce education portal and TEEX's myTEEX portal.
• STEM Education and Research Center at RELLIS New collaborative facility at the RELLIS campus that brings students, researchers, and industry partners together to support innovation and applied research activities.
• Microreactor Pilot at Texas A&M-RELLIS A pilot nuclear microreactor deployed at the RELLIS campus via a partnership with Last Energy, supporting advanced small modular reactor (SMR) technology demonstration on Texas A&M System land.
• Autonomous Helicopter Wildfire Response Initiative A $59.8 million research and development initiative led by the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at RELLIS to develop autonomous Blackhawk helicopters for wildfire response applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25+ degree pathways offered by 10+ partner institutions in one campus location
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 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

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Unmanned Safety Institute (USI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Texas A&M-RELLIS and Unmanned Safety Institute announced a partnership to expand professional drone and unmanned aircraft systems training across Texas. The partnership supports employer demand and long-term drone training development, leveraging RELLIS's FAA-approved BVLOS airspace and USI's safety certification expertise.
• Last EnergyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Texas A&M University System and Last Energy are collaborating to deploy a pilot microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, representing a major step in advanced nuclear innovation. This pilot will test small modular reactor technology on Texas A&M System land.
• Blinn College DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlinn College District is a key education partner at RELLIS, providing associate degrees, workforce training (carpentry, HVAC, welding, facilities maintenance), and serving as the community college partner in the Academic Alliance. Students can earn associate degrees along the pathway to bachelor's degrees.
• Tarleton State UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTarleton State University is a major partner offering degree programs at RELLIS including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, criminal justice, social work, sport management, and more through the Academic Alliance.
• Texas A&M University-Corpus ChristicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAMU-Corpus Christi is a partner university offering business (accounting, finance, general business, management, marketing), College of Business, and other degree programs at RELLIS.
• East Texas A&M UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEast Texas A&M University (formerly TAMU-Commerce) offers computer science, cybersecurity, and computer information systems degree programs at RELLIS through the Academic Alliance.
• Texas A&M University-KingsvillecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAMU-Kingsville offers agribusiness and psychology degree programs at RELLIS, with a focus on programs aligned with the region's agricultural industry.
• Texas A&M University-TexarkanacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAMU-Texarkana offers biology, electrical engineering, and supply chain management degree programs at RELLIS.
• Texas A&M University-San AntoniocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAMU-San Antonio offers political science degree programs at RELLIS through the Academic Alliance.
• West Texas A&M UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWTAMU offers health science degree programs at RELLIS, preparing students for careers in the health sciences industry.
• Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAMIU offers communication degree programs at RELLIS, serving students seeking degrees in communications in an increasingly digital world.
• Prairie View A&M UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrairie View A&M University is a partner institution at RELLIS, contributing to the diverse mix of Texas A&M System universities and programs available on campus.
• Stephen F. Austin State UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSFASU is a partner at RELLIS, offering interdisciplinary studies and other degree programs through the Academic Alliance, renowned for its education preparation programs.
• Texas A&M University-Central TexascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAMU-Central Texas is a partner institution at RELLIS offering innovative educational programs with a focus on exceptional teaching and applied scholarship.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServicecoreOthersTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a TAMUS state agency participating at RELLIS. The agency established the Texas 4-H headquarters at RELLIS and conducts agricultural and life sciences research on campus.
• Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES)coreOthersTEES is a TAMUS state agency and one of the original research entities at the RELLIS campus (formerly Riverside Campus). It conducts engineering research and development as part of the RELLIS Research Alliance.
• Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI)coreOthersTTI is a TAMUS state agency conducting transportation research at RELLIS. TTI has been a long-standing research partner at the former Riverside Campus and now the RELLIS campus.
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)coreOthersTEEX is a TAMUS state agency providing workforce training and emergency response programs at RELLIS. TEEX offers professional development and certification programs through the myTEEX student portal.
• Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)coreOthersTDEM is a Texas state agency participating at RELLIS, contributing to the campus's emergency management and resilience research capabilities.
• George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC)flagshipOthersThe BCDC is a TAMUS research center at RELLIS leading a $59.8M autonomous helicopter wildfire response initiative. It houses the BAM Range for hypersonic and laser testing and is a cornerstone of RELLIS's defense and advanced technology research mission.
• Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR)minorOthersCIR is a Texas A&M System research center located at RELLIS focused on infrastructure research and development.
• Texas A&M CHIPS (Semiconductor Innovation Center)minorOthersTexas A&M CHIPS is a semiconductor innovation center operating at RELLIS, contributing to the campus's advanced technology and manufacturing research capabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NASA Johnson Space Center: Adjacent Texas aerospace and human-spaceflight research hub with large-scale testing infrastructure and federal contracting expertise; broader aerospace mandate but comparable as a Texas-based federally anchored testing/research campus.
• Blinn College District: Community college partner delivering associate degrees and workforce trade certifications (HVAC, welding, carpentry) at RELLIS; comparable for the transfer-plus-workforce pathway model at the heart of the Academic Alliance.
• Texas A&M University (College Station): Main flagship campus of the same Texas A&M University System with far broader academic, research, and athletic scale; the parent institution whose faculty, PIs, and brand feed into RELLIS programs and grants.

Direct peers

• Idaho National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory leading advanced nuclear reactor and microreactor R&D; directly comparable to the Last Energy microreactor pilot at RELLIS and a potential benchmark for advanced energy testing on campuses.
• Griffiss International Airport UAS Test Site: One of the original FAA UAS test sites offering controlled airspace for BVLOS and autonomy testing; comparable dedicated UAS testing infrastructure and regulatory authorizations.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Specialized aerospace and aviation university with UAS training, applied research, and industry-aligned degree programs; comparable for UAS-focused education and applied testing footprint.
• University of Dayton Research Institute: University-affiliated defense and applied research institute conducting sponsored research and testing for aerospace and defense customers; comparable university-operated applied research and testing model.
• UT Austin J.J. Pickle Research Campus: Major Texas university research campus hosting applied research centers and industry collaborations; comparable as a same-state public university research campus with multi-agency presence and testing facilities.
• Purdue University (Discovery Park / Purdue Research Park): Land-grant university operating a large integrated research park with UAS/autonomous systems test beds and applied engineering research; directly comparable model combining academic delivery, applied research, and dedicated testing infrastructure on a single campus.
• New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory (UAS Test Site): University-operated FAA-designated UAS test site conducting autonomous systems R&D and flight testing; comparable UAS testing infrastructure integrated with university research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rellisedu
• Facebookfacebook.com/tamusRELLIS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/relliscampus
• Instagraminstagram.com/relliscampus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Texas A&M University System