What Florida MEP does

FloridaMakes (doing business as Florida MEP) is a non-profit manufacturing extension partnership founded in 2016 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It serves as the state's designated MEP center within the federal MEP National Network, with a mission to improve the productivity and technological performance of Florida's manufacturing sector. The organization targets Florida's 26,000+ manufacturers, 80% of which have 20 or fewer employees, through a statewide ecosystem of regional Network Partners, Ecosystem Partners, Third Party Providers, and associations such as the South Florida Manufacturers Association.

FloridaMakes delivers a broad portfolio of consulting service offerings including Performance Assessment, Continuous Improvement, Executive Services, Supply Chain Optimization, Technology Acceleration & Innovation, Workforce Development & Education (including Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training), Cybersecurity, Standards & Regulatory Compliance, Market Development, and Disaster Resources. Its digital platform layer consists of three featured programs: Connex Florida (a supply chain solution database), the Florida Manufacturing Career Center (workforce job-matching platform), and the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council. Supporting ecosystem tools include the Florida Manufacts directory, the MakeMore community program, and an online member network with communities, libraries, and directories.

The organization's revenue model is grant- and publicly-funded: FloridaMakes operates as a managed-services non-profit financed through MEP National Network allocations, state appropriations, and targeted grants such as the $600,000 Pathways Grant awarded in March 2026 to expand apprenticeship programs. Services are delivered to manufacturers free of charge or at subsidized rates, channeled through a partner/reseller network spanning the state. Impact metrics through Q1 2024 (across 877 surveyed clients) report $893M in total investments, 23,697 jobs created or retained, $3.2B in sales generated, and $281M in cost savings.

Name

Florida MEP

Legal name

FloridaMakes

Website

https://floridamep.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FloridaMakes is a non-profit manufacturing extension partnership serving Florida's 26,000+ manufacturers through consulting, workforce development, supply chain, and cybersecurity services delivered via a statewide partner network, funded by public grants and the MEP National Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Grants: FloridaMakes operates as a non-profit manufacturing extension partnership funded through public sources including the MEP National Network and government grants such as the $600,000 Pathways Grant awarded in 2026.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FloridaMakes is Florida's designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership, delivering consulting and support services to Florida manufacturers across workforce development, performance assessment, continuous improvement, executive advisory, supply chain optimization, technology acceleration, cybersecurity, market development, and standards/regulatory compliance. Service delivery is carried out through a statewide network of partner organizations, supplemented by digital platforms such as the Connex Florida supply chain database, the Florida Manufacturing Career Center, and the Florida Manufacts manufacturer directory.

Product overview

FloridaMakes operates as a MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) center offering a comprehensive portfolio of service offerings designed to strengthen Florida's manufacturing sector. The organization provides a platform of consulting and support services including Performance Assessment, Continuous Improvement, Executive Services, Supply Chain Optimization, Technology Acceleration & Innovation, Workforce Development & Education (with Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training), Cybersecurity, Standards & Regulatory Compliance, Market Development, and Disaster Resources. Featured programs include Connex Florida (Supply Chain Solution Database), the Florida Manufacturing Career Center, and the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council. Additional ecosystem features include the Florida Manufacts directory, FloridaMakes Network Partners, and the MakeMore community program. The organization is structured as a service-based nonprofit that connects manufacturers with resources, training, and strategic partnerships rather than a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performance Assessment Diagnostic and assessment services to evaluate manufacturing operations, identify improvement opportunities, and measure performance metrics for Florida manufacturers.
• Continuous Improvement Improvement methodologies and consulting services to help manufacturers optimize processes, reduce waste, and increase operational efficiency.
• Executive Services Strategic advisory and executive-level consulting services for manufacturing leadership to drive business growth and transformation.
• Supply Chain Optimization Services to help manufacturers improve supply chain efficiency, supplier relationships, and logistics operations.
• Technology Acceleration & Innovation Advanced technology adoption support, innovation consulting, and digital transformation services for manufacturers.
• Workforce Development & Education Training programs and workforce development solutions to build manufacturing talent, including Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training.
• Cybersecurity Cybersecurity services and resources to help manufacturers protect their digital assets and operational technology.
• Standards & Regulatory Compliance Guidance and resources to help manufacturers navigate industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Market Development Services to help manufacturers expand into new markets, identify growth opportunities, and develop business development strategies.
• Disaster Resources Resources and support services to help manufacturers prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and emergencies.
• Connex Florida Supply chain solution database connecting Florida manufacturers with suppliers, partners, and service providers across the supply chain.
• Florida Manufacturing Career Center Career platform connecting job seekers with manufacturing employment opportunities in Florida.
• Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council Advocacy council representing the interests of Florida manufacturers and supply chain stakeholders in policy discussions.
• MakeMore Community initiative and ecosystem program connecting manufacturers with resources, networking opportunities, and collaborative growth initiatives.
• Florida Manufacts Directory and database of Florida manufacturers providing industry data, company listings, and ecosystem visibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• $893M in Total Investments generated for manufacturers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Monthly meeting council bringing together industry stakeholders for advocacy and policy coordination on manufacturing and supply chain issues affecting Florida.
• MEP National NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFloridaMakes is the designated manufacturing extension partnership for Florida, operating as part of the national MEP National Network. This affiliation provides access to national resources, best practices, benchmarking data, and connectivity across all state MEP centers.
• FloridaMakes Network PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partners within the FloridaMakes ecosystem that deliver services to manufacturers across Florida's geographic regions. These partners collaborate to strengthen Florida's manufacturing sector.
• Ecosystem PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizations that invest and support the manufacturing sector, collaborating with FloridaMakes to strengthen the statewide manufacturing ecosystem.
• Third Party ProviderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party consulting service providers that deliver specialized expertise and consulting services to manufacturers through the FloridaMakes ecosystem.
• South Florida Manufacturers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional manufacturing association serving as a trusted expert partner for manufacturers in South Florida, collaborating with FloridaMakes on client engagement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Manufacturing Extension Partnership (PAMEP): PAMEP delivers manufacturing consulting, workforce development, and supply-chain services to Pennsylvania manufacturers under the MEP program. Highly comparable to FloridaMakes in operating model, scale, and target segment (SMB manufacturers).
• Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Ohio MEP): Ohio MEP supports Ohio manufacturers through performance assessments, continuous improvement, and technology acceleration, mirroring FloridaMakes' service offering and federal-state non-profit structure.
• Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP): GaMEP, housed at Georgia Tech, provides manufacturing extension services to Georgia manufacturers with the same MEP mandate and service portfolio as FloridaMakes.
• New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP): NY MEP serves New York manufacturers under the same NIST MEP National Network framework as FloridaMakes. Comparable non-profit structure, state-level designation, and service offerings including Lean/Six Sigma training, supply chain, and technology acceleration.
• Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC): TMAC operates as Texas's MEP center, providing manufacturer-focused consulting, training, and technology adoption support. Directly comparable to FloridaMakes in mission, service portfolio, and federal/state funding structure.
• California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC): CMTC is California's designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership, offering the same MEP-model portfolio (workforce, technology acceleration, supply chain, cybersecurity) to California manufacturers. It is the closest direct peer to FloridaMakes in scope, funding model, and service mix.

Broad incumbents

• Accenture Industry X: Accenture's Industry X practice delivers digital manufacturing, smart factory, and operations consulting to large industrial clients. Represents the private-sector incumbent that competes for the same manufacturing transformation engagements, particularly at the mid-market and enterprise level.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): NAM is the largest U.S. manufacturing industry association, providing policy advocacy, workforce initiatives, and research. Comparable in ecosystem-building mission to FloridaMakes, though at national rather than state scale and with a membership/advocacy focus rather than consulting delivery.
• NIST MEP National Network: NIST's MEP program is the federal umbrella organization funding and coordinating FloridaMakes and all state MEPs. Relevant as the parent network defining service standards, funding flows, and benchmarking against which FloridaMakes is evaluated.

Regional players

• South Florida Manufacturers Association: SFMA is a regional manufacturing association partner explicitly listed in FloridaMakes' own ecosystem. It serves South Florida manufacturers with advocacy, networking, and resources — partially overlapping with FloridaMakes' regional service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/florida-mep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Florida MEP