What Makai does

Makai is a private defense technology services company headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, that delivers systems engineering, managed network services, data management and cloud migration, application development and DevSecOps, cybersecurity (including RMF compliance), business consulting, technology maturation, and SETA/A&AS support primarily to U.S. Department of Defense customers. The company is structured as a small-business prime contractor with 11-50 employees, holding a portfolio of government-wide acquisition vehicles including GSA MAS, Seaport Next Generation, SBIR Phase II, SBA 8(a), OASIS+, MDA SHIELD, and the IWRP Consortium, and is CMMC Level 2 certified.

The company's flagship productized offering is the Hardened Operational Networking Unit (HONU), a flexible edge compute platform designed for rapid deployment and reconfiguration of multi-domain mobile network architectures. HONU accommodates multiple WAN connections concurrently, functions as a gateway for 5G, SATCOM, and Tactical Data Links, and features plug-and-play design and an autosensing firewall intended to minimize latency and optimize throughput. Makai also operates the Gemini 5G test lab for IRAD and technology maturation work, where emerging technologies including AI/ML and 5G are evaluated.

Revenue is generated primarily through government prime contracts and task orders under SETA/A&AS and other service engagements, staffed by in-house SMEs. Named end customers include the U.S. Air Force (cloud migration, Hanscom AFB directorates), the U.S. Marine Corps (network modernization and RMF compliance), and the Naval Education Training Command (SETA support). Makai also indicates a secondary commercial customer base and is associated with the Kekoa Foundation, a Native Hawaiian community-support nonprofit. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is governed by formal contracting vehicles with quote-based, SOW-tied terms.

Name

Makai

Website

https://makaidefense.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Makai is a private defense technology services firm delivering systems engineering, managed network services, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and SETA support to U.S. Department of Defense customers across multiple contract vehicles, complemented by its proprietary HONU edge compute platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Technology Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Electronic Computers (3571)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) Services (BPAEABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid Cloud Compute & Virtualization Stack (HCI/VMs/Kubernetes) (HDABAMAF), NaaS Connectivity Services (On-Demand VPN, SD-WAN-as-a-Service, Bandwidth-on-Demand) (HDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Defense technology services
• Government IT contracting
• Network management solutions
• Cloud migration services
• Cybersecurity compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Hopkinton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Government Prime Contracts: Makai holds prime contracts with U.S. government agencies including the Naval Education Training Command (NETC) for SETA support. Revenue is generated through long-term government contracting relationships utilizing various contract vehicles.
2. Contract Vehicles: Revenue is also derived through multiple government-wide acquisition contracts and IDIQ vehicles including GSA MAS, Seaport Next Generation, SBIR Phase II, SBA 8(a) Certified, OASIS+, MDA SHIELD, and IWRP Consortium. These enable Makai to pursue various government opportunities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Makai is a defense technology company providing systems engineering, managed network services, cloud migration, DevSecOps, cybersecurity (RMF/CMMC), and business consulting to U.S. Department of Defense agencies and commercial customers. The company develops and sells the Hardened Operational Networking Unit (HONU), a proprietary flexible edge compute platform that serves as a gateway for multi-domain mobile networks including 5G, SATCOM, and Tactical Data Links. Makai also operates the Gemini 5G test lab to conduct IRAD projects evaluating emerging technologies such as AI/ML and 5G.

Product overview

Makai is a government services company providing a portfolio of professional services and products to defense and commercial customers. The offerings span systems engineering, managed network services, cybersecurity, cloud migration, and DevSecOps. The core product is the Hardened Operational Networking Unit (HONU), a flexible edge compute platform that serves as a gateway for multiple network types (5G, SATCOM, Tactical Data Links). Technology maturation services include AI/ML and 5G evaluation through the Gemini 5G test lab. Makai holds various government contract vehicles including GSA MAS, Seaport Next Generation, SBIR Phase II, SBA 8(a), OASIS+, MDA SHIELD, and IWRP Consortium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gemini 5G Test Lab: Test laboratory for evaluating emerging technologies including AI/ML and 5G, conducting IRAD projects for technology maturation and risk reduction.
• Hardened Operational Networking Unit (HONU)

Products and services

• Systems Engineering & Integration Subject matter experts supporting complex, cross-service Department of Defense systems integration initiatives.
• Managed Network Services
• Data Management & Cloud Migration
• Application Development & DevSecOps
• Cybersecurity
• Business Consulting & Process Improvement
• Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction
• SETA / A&AS
• Hardened Operational Networking Unit (HONU)

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Hanscom Air Force BasecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025Makai participates in the Banshee Innovation Training Program, a partnership between Hanscom AFB, MassChallenge, and University of Massachusetts-Lowell Applied Research Corp. The program bridges acquisition professionals with startups to accelerate technology delivery to the warfighter. Participants serve as judges to select companies for the Air Force Labs program.
• MassChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025MassChallenge partners with Hanscom AFB and UMass-Lowell Applied Research Corp. to operate the Banshee Innovation Training Program, which connects defense acquisition professionals with innovative startups for technology acceleration.
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell Applied Research Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025UMass-Lowell Applied Research Corp. collaborates with Hanscom AFB and MassChallenge on the Banshee Innovation Training Program, providing research capabilities and academic expertise to support defense innovation initiatives.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ManTech International: Defense IT services firm providing systems engineering, cybersecurity, cloud, and managed network services to DoD customers across all service branches. Highly comparable in offering mix and customer base to Makai, but at significantly greater scale.
• SAIC: Large federal IT and systems integrator serving Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps with cloud migration, DevSecOps, and network modernization services. Overlaps directly with Makai's core service lines and contract vehicles.
• RELI Group: Small federal IT services firm providing systems engineering, cloud, and cybersecurity to DoD and federal civilian agencies. Comparable size and service portfolio, particularly relevant on set-aside opportunities.
• CACI International: Provides systems engineering, managed IT services, cybersecurity, and tactical networking to DoD customers, including Navy and Marine Corps programs. Direct competitor on cross-service DoD integration and network modernization work.
• IntelliBridge: Smaller defense and intelligence IT services firm with similar DoD customer footprint, offering systems engineering, cyber, and cloud services. Directly comparable in size and contract posture to Makai.
• Goldbelt Inc: Alaska Native-owned small business with extensive SBA 8(a) credentials providing systems engineering, cybersecurity, and IT services across DoD. Highly comparable set-aside positioning and DoD service mix to Makai.
• RIVA Solutions: Small, agile DoD IT services contractor supporting Air Force, Navy, and joint commands in cloud, DevSecOps, and cyber. Comparable in size, customer mix, and contract vehicle approach to Makai.
• CALIBRE Systems: Mid-sized DoD IT services firm focused on systems engineering, cloud, and business process improvement for defense and federal civilian customers. Closely comparable size and capability mix to Makai.

Broad incumbents

• Leidos: Top-tier defense prime with deep Air Force, Navy, and MDA exposure in systems integration, network modernization, and cyber. Competes with Makai across many of the same vehicles and mission areas but with much broader portfolio.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Major federal IT and management consulting incumbent supporting Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps on cloud migration, cyber, and digital transformation. Competes with Makai for SETA/A&AS and systems engineering work but operates at vastly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Makai