Indiana Geological and Water Survey

What Indiana Geological and Water Survey does

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS) is a state-mandated research unit of Indiana University, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, that conducts geological research, surveys the entire state of Indiana, and collects and preserves geologic specimens and data. Founded in 1837, IGWS disseminates geological information to support hazard mitigation and the wise stewardship of Indiana's energy, mineral, and water resources. Its primary customer segments are state and local government agencies and educational institutions, with secondary engagement of oil, gas, mining, and environmental consulting firms, plus the general public for geoheritage education.

The organization's core technology platform is the Geological Database Management System (GDMS), which provides consolidated geological information — including well records — for locations across Indiana. Supporting infrastructure includes the IGWS Digital Collections portal (an online repository of maps, publications, and geological data), interactive web-based maps, geospatial data services, and the open-access Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences (IJES). IGWS also administers Indiana's professional geologist licensure under Indiana Code 25-17.6 and Title 305 of the Indiana Administrative Code, embedding the organization into the state's regulatory framework for professional geology practice.

IGWS operates a hybrid revenue model combining one-time publication and store sales through an e-commerce storefront, geospatial data licensing to government and private-sector clients, and professional services such as environmental assessment. Go-to-market is primarily enterprise field-based — direct consultative engagement with state and local government agencies — supplemented by digital distribution channels for data, educational resources, and academic publishing. As a constituent unit of a public state university, IGWS is sustained by institutional budget allocations and does not have external shareholders, venture funding, or commercial investors; its market position rests on statutory authority and decades of accumulated data rather than competitive market dynamics.

Name

Indiana Geological and Water Survey

Legal name

Indiana Geological and Water Survey

Website

https://igws.indiana.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1837

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey is a state-mandated research unit of Indiana University that conducts statewide geological surveys, maintains the GDMS geological database, publishes the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences, and serves Indiana government agencies, educational institutions, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geological Survey Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Support Activities for Mining (2131)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Site Assessment & Remediation (Phase I/II, Cleanup Oversight) (BPAHAJAC), Groundwater Monitoring & Well Sampling (Monitoring Wells, Plumes) (EUAHACAE)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Geospatial data licensing
• Environmental assessment services
• Earth sciences publishing
• Water resources research

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publication and Store Sales: Sale of geologic posters, maps, and other products through the online store
2. Geospatial Data Licensing: Licensing of geospatial data and geological information to government agencies and private sector
3. Professional Services: Environmental assessment services and professional geological services

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IGWS conducts geological research and surveys across Indiana, collects and preserves geologic specimens and data, and disseminates information to support hazard mitigation and stewardship of the state's energy, mineral, and water resources. Its commercial offerings include the GDMS Well Records database, the IGWS Digital Collections portal, the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences, an online store for maps and posters, geospatial data licensing, and professional environmental assessment services.

Product overview

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS) operates as a research and data services organization under Indiana University, offering a unified portfolio of digital and professional services. The core offerings include the GDMS Well Records database for consolidated geological information, the IGWS Digital Collections for digital holdings access, and the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences as an open-access publication. Supporting services include an Online Store for physical products (posters, maps), Geospatial Data Services, Environmental Assessment, and Educational Resources. The organization focuses on geological hazard mitigation and wise stewardship of Indiana's energy, mineral, and water resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GDMS Well Records (Geological Database Management System) A consolidated geological database providing well records and geological information for locations throughout Indiana, accessible through an online interface. It is intended for geologists, researchers, government agencies, and industry users needing authoritative subsurface data.
• IGWS Digital Collections An online resource providing access to the extensive digital holdings of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey, including maps, publications, and geological data for researchers, educators, and the public.
• Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences An open-access serial publication of IGWS featuring peer-reviewed research in earth sciences, distributed to academic and professional audiences.
• Online Store An e-commerce platform offering geologic posters, maps, and other physical products related to Indiana geology for sale to consumers, educators, and collectors.
• Geospatial Data Services Geographic data services providing geospatial information and mapping resources for Indiana's geological and water features, licensed to government agencies and private sector users.
• Environmental Assessment Services

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Visit BloomingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Visit Bloomington on the limestone campus tour brochure, which won a state tourism award. This represents a content development partnership for geoheritage education and tourism promotion.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Federal geological agency with nationwide scope and substantially larger budget, providing geological mapping, water, mineral, and hazard data that overlaps and complements IGWS's statewide offerings. Establishes the broader public-sector competitive frame IGWS operates within.

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Geological Survey: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's state geological survey delivering mapping, oil/gas, mineral resource, and groundwater programs. Comparable in mandate and product mix, with similar relationships to state agencies, industry, and academia.
• Michigan Geological Survey (Western Michigan University): University-based Michigan state geological survey offering geological mapping, groundwater research, and energy/mineral resource assessments. Comparable in scale, university affiliation, and research-service model to IGWS.
• Minnesota Geological Survey (University of Minnesota): University of Minnesota-administered state geological survey providing geological mapping, groundwater, and mineral resource data products. Mirrors IGWS in academic affiliation and statewide data mission.
• Kentucky Geological Survey (University of Kentucky): State geological survey housed at the University of Kentucky with an analogous mandate to conduct geological research, mapping, water and mineral resource assessments, and data dissemination for Kentucky. Directly comparable structure as a university-affiliated state survey.
• Ohio Geological Survey: Ohio's state geological survey operates a similar program of statewide geological mapping, groundwater and mineral resource evaluation, and data products serving government, industry, and the public. Compares closely on product portfolio and customer base.
• Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey: University of Wisconsin-affiliated state survey delivering geological mapping, water and mineral resource studies, and digital data products. Comparable structure as a UW-system research unit with statewide data mandate.
• Iowa Geological Survey (University of Iowa): University of Iowa-based state geological survey conducting groundwater, mineral, and geological mapping research for the state. Closely aligned in scale, structure, and university-affiliated governance.
• Illinois State Geological Survey (Prairie Research Institute): Part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, ISGS performs statewide geological mapping, groundwater and mineral resource studies, and hazard assessments for Illinois. Closely mirrors IGWS in scope, university affiliation, and service mix.

Others

• Association of American State Geologists (AASG): Umbrella association representing state geological surveys nationwide; relevant as the institutional ecosystem in which IGWS collaborates on standards, federal partnerships, and data programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/INGeoSurvey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indiana-geological-survey
• Instagraminstagram.com/ingeosurvey
• Xx.com/ingeosurvey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Indiana Geological and Water Survey