Mona Geoinformatics Institute

What Mona Geoinformatics Institute does

Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) is the GIS and Software Development hub for The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, headquartered at Kingston 7, Jamaica. The institute provides GIS consulting, mapping, spatial analysis, and bespoke web and mobile geospatial applications to government agencies, private sector clients, academic institutions, and youth across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. MGI operates what it describes as the largest private GIS database in Jamaica and positions itself as the only organisation in the country delivering advanced geographic information science solutions, with particular depth in climate resilience, coastal zone management, and disaster preparedness.

Its product portfolio is anchored by three proprietary platforms — CORE-EIS (a national-scale Climate Resilience and Early Warning Information System), JAMNAV (a navigation and journey planning platform for Jamaica), and MGI Blue / the Coastal Dynamics Modelling Laboratory (CDML) for coastal hydrodynamics, water quality, and ecosystem modelling. These are complemented by the MGI Natural Hazards Dashboard (historical flood and landslide visualisation), the Sargassum Early Advisory System, the Natural Durability Index for Beaches, and a MonaUAV drone services and training offering. Underlying technology combines GIS, oceanographic modelling, satellite remote sensing, and UAV-based spatial data collection.

MGI generates revenue through a mix of professional GIS services (government contracts, private-sector consulting, and research projects), training programmes (GIS, drone, coding, and robotics), subscription and licensing of its software platforms, and research grants from international funders including UKRI, NERC, the British Council, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, JICA, and the IDB. Pricing is quote-based on project scope and delivered via direct, sales-led engagement with enterprise and government clients; contracts are typically multi-year. Customer segments prioritise Jamaican and Caribbean government agencies, with secondary exposure to NGOs, private-sector buyers, academia, and Caribbean youth through STEM outreach. Geographic reach covers at least ten Caribbean nations.

Name

Mona Geoinformatics Institute

Legal name

Mona GeoInformatics Institute

Website

https://monagis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mona GeoInformatics Institute provides GIS consulting, mapping, spatial analysis, and custom geospatial software to Jamaican and Caribbean government agencies, private firms, academia, and youth, anchored by the CORE-EIS climate resilience platform, JAMNAV navigation app, and MGI Blue coastal modelling laboratory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geospatial Analytics and GIS Services

NAICS

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Geospatial Data Management & Enterprise GIS (Geodatabases, Web GIS, Spatial Analytics) (EUAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms (BPAMANAK), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Environmental Reporting, Dashboards & Regulatory Submittals (Automated Reports, e-Reporting) (EUAHAKAL)

Keywords

• Geographic information systems
• GIS consulting services
• Spatial data analysis
• Drone mapping services
• Climate resilience platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

Jamaica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional GIS Services: Consulting and project-based services including environmental and hazards mapping, software development, human and social mapping, business-centric services, and technical services. Revenue is generated through government contracts, private sector engagements, and research grants.
2. Training Programs: GIS training programs, drone/UAV training courses, and coding/robotics camps for students. Programs include introductory and advanced GIS training, UAV technology courses, and technology camps for youth.
3. Software Products: Licensing and deployment of proprietary software solutions including CORE-EIS, JAMNAV, MGI Blue platforms, and custom software developed for specific client needs.
4. Research Grants: Funding from international agencies including UKRI, NERC, British Council, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, and others for specific environmental research projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) provides GIS consulting, mapping, spatial analysis, and custom web and mobile geospatial applications. The institute operates the largest private GIS database in Jamaica and delivers proprietary software platforms including CORE-EIS (climate resilience), JAMNAV (navigation), and MGI Blue (coastal zone modelling), complemented by drone/UAV data collection, training programs, and research services for government, private sector, and academic clients across the Caribbean.

Product overview

Mona GeoInformatics Institute operates as a GIS and software development hub for the University of the West Indies, offering a portfolio of spatial solutions organized around its core product lines: CORE-EIS for climate resilience, JAMNAV for navigation, and MGI Blue for coastal zone research and modeling. The institute provides drone services, comprehensive GIS services, and training programs, all built upon Jamaica's largest private GIS database. The product ecosystem is unified through shared geospatial data infrastructure and expertise, serving public and private sectors locally, regionally, and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CORE-EIS: Climate resilience platform equipping nations against climate change
• JAMNAV
• MGIBLUE (MGIBlue)
• MonaUAV

Quantifiable outcome

• MGI swept four awards at UWI Mona Research Awards 2020-2023 including Greatest Impact on Policy x2, Best Research Publication, and Most Research Funds Attracted
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• SOS Carbon (Dominican Republic)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Memorandum of Understanding signed for exchange of technologies and strategies tackling sargassum invasion affecting hotel and coastal industries in Jamaica.
• University of PennsylvaniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research collaboration on UAV drone development. MGI's Technical Projects Coordinator participated in research team developing climate and wildlife surveillance UAV drone for aerial monitoring of crocodile habitats.
• JPS FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on KHEAM project showcasing mangrove restoration efforts at Kingston Harbour. JPS Foundation conducted site visits to observe ecosystem adaptation measures.
• AetherminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Partner providing monitoring and evaluation support for the Central Knowledge Platform for Climate Action project in Jamaica.
• Climate Change Division, Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation (Government of Jamaica)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Client and host for Central Knowledge Platform for Climate Action. MGI develops the platform under IDB-funded initiative to improve climate change mitigation and adaptation reporting capacity.
• GraceKennedy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership under the Kingston Harbour Ecosystem Adaptation Measures (KHEAM) project. The GraceKennedy Foundation is a key partner alongside MGI, Centre of Marine Sciences (CMS), and Newer Worlds Limited in an initiative to bolster defense of Kingston against climate risks through mangrove restoration and conservation.
• Centre of Marine Sciences (CMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership under KHEAM project for ecosystem adaptation measures in Kingston Harbour. CMS provides marine science expertise for the restoration and rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems within the Kingston Harbour area.
• Newer Worlds LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in KHEAM project for implementing ecosystem adaptation measures. Contributes to the collaborative effort to restore and protect Kingston Harbour mangroves.
• International Game Technology (IGT) CaribbeanmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Annual IGT Coding & Robotics Camp partnership. IGT provides full sponsorship while MGI delivers the program. Camp serves students from multiple Caribbean countries with programming, robotics, and AI education.
• DE Design + Environment Inc. (DE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Strategic partnership for developing environmental information systems across the Caribbean. DE and MGI have collaborated on National Environmental Data & Information System (NEIS) for Antigua and Barbuda, as well as the Centralized Knowledge Platform for Climate Action in Jamaica. MGI provides software development while DE leads overall project management.
• Goldsmiths, University of LondonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Research partner in Caribbean Cyclone Cartography project for mapping hurricane hazards, survivals, and repair in Dominica. Three-year research collaboration funded by ESRC Global Challenges Research Fund.
• Create Caribbean InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Research partner in Caribbean Cyclone Cartography project focused on Dominica's hurricane resilience and recovery mapping.
• University of Southampton (UoS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Academic research partner in multiple projects including SARTRAC, MONISARG, and More than Maps. Contributes expertise in coastal science, climate adaptation, and environmental monitoring.
• Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Research partner in SARTRAC and MONISARG projects, providing expertise in environmental management and resource sustainability for Caribbean coastal areas.
• University of Ghana (UoG)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Academic partner in SARTRAC and More than Maps projects, enabling cross-regional collaboration between Caribbean and West African institutions on climate adaptation.
• CARIB-COAST / French Government (BRGM/ERDF/INTERREG Caraïbes)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018CARIB-COAST (Caribbean Network for Coastal Risks Related to Climate Change) is managed by French Geological Survey (BRGM) through European Regional Development Fund. MGI represents Jamaica in this 6-country network for coastal and coral reef monitoring, erosion monitoring, and decision-support tools.
• Deltares (Dutch Research Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership for cutting-edge research and solutions in coastal issues. Deltares collaborates with MGI on coastal modeling and adaptation strategies for Caribbean small island states.
• Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018DE-MGI team working with 5Cs as executing agency on USAID-funded environmental data sharing protocol project for Eastern Caribbean States.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016JICA provides ongoing support to MGI through the assignment of research fellows including Dr. Kioshi Mishiro and Mr. Yu Kajiwara. The partnership supports MGIBlue's coastal studies unit and provides expertise in oceanographic data analysis and modeling. JICA has also collaborated on solid waste litter assessment projects in the Kingston Metropolitan Area.
• Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-convenor of Regional Fisheries and Ecosystem-based Adaptation Learning Exchange with Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and community partners across Caribbean nations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deltares: Deltares is MGI's direct research partner on coastal modeling and a peer in coastal hydrodynamics modeling for small island states. Both organizations focus on hydrodynamics, coastal hazards, and climate adaptation science, though Deltares operates at a much larger scale.
• BRGM (French Geological Survey): BRGM leads the CARIB-COAST network in which MGI participates, and provides geological and coastal risk mapping services across the Caribbean and French overseas territories. Direct peer in Caribbean coastal risk assessment and decision-support tool development.

Broad incumbents

• WSP Caribbean: WSP provides environmental, climate, and infrastructure consulting across the Caribbean and competes for similar government and IDB-funded resilience programs. Overlaps with MGI in environmental and climate adaptation consulting, though broader in scope.
• Planet Labs: Planet provides daily satellite imagery and analytics used for environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster response globally. Comparable to MGI in earth observation-driven monitoring use cases (e.g., mangrove health, sargassum detection), but operates at global scale with different delivery model.
• AECOM (Caribbean Operations): AECOM has significant Caribbean environmental and infrastructure consulting operations, including climate adaptation, environmental impact assessment, and resilience planning. Comparable in client base (Caribbean governments, IDB-funded projects) and scope of climate/environmental services.
• Hexagon Geospatial: Hexagon's geospatial division (formerly Intergraph) provides enterprise GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analytics platforms serving defense, government, and environmental agencies. Overlapping capabilities with MGI in enterprise GIS and geospatial data management, but at significantly larger scale.
• Esri Caribbean: Esri's Caribbean regional operation provides the dominant enterprise GIS platform (ArcGIS) used broadly across the Caribbean. Same customer base (governments, utilities, environment agencies) and same core technology domain, but operates as a broad platform incumbent rather than a niche SIDS adaptation specialist.
• Maxar Technologies: Maxar provides satellite imagery and geospatial analytics used by MGI's customers (NEPA, ODPEM, regional utilities). It is a broad incumbent in the upstream earth observation and spatial analytics stack that MGI's downstream SIDS-focused services build upon.
• Trimble Geospatial: Trimble provides GNSS, surveying, mapping, and spatial data software widely used in Caribbean survey and mapping projects. Overlaps with MGI in surveying/mapping and in UAV/drone data capture workflows.

Others

• Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs): 5Cs is the CARICOM executing agency for several of MGI's projects (USAID Eastern Caribbean environmental data sharing). More of a client/partner than a competitor, but represents the regional institutional buyer for climate data platforms that MGI's products target.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MGIMona
• Facebookfacebook.com/mgimona
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mona-geoinformatics-institute-mgi
• Instagraminstagram.com/mgimona

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Mona Geoinformatics Institute