MetroLab Network
MetroLab Network is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit consortium founded in 2015 that connects 95+ local governments with university research institutions through mayor-provost partnerships. It delivers programs in civic R&D, data governance and AI, and mobility, and merged into the Federation of American Scientists in 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MetroLab Network does
MetroLab Network is a Washington, DC-based 501c(3) nonprofit consortium founded in 2015 via a White House Smart Cities Initiative announcement. It operates as a membership-based network connecting approximately 95+ local governments (city halls) with university research institutions, structured around signed joint commitments between mayors and university provosts to collaborate on civic technology and innovation. The organization delivers its value through three core programs: the Local Government R&D Agenda, Data Governance and AI Initiatives, and the Mobility Center of Excellence, which collectively channel academic research capacity into municipal operations. Revenue is generated through membership, affiliate, and "Friends Of" supporter contributions on a recurring basis, with no publicly disclosed pricing.
In September 2024, MetroLab merged into the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), with the MetroLab 501c(3) entity technically closing while its three programs continue under the FAS umbrella. The organization engages its community through annual summits, regular webinars, a newsletter, and publications. Its competitive position is anchored in the network effects of its 95+ member organizations and the institutional lock-in created by the mayor-provost joint commitment model, supplemented by brand recognition from its White House origin and an advisory board that included former Governor Martin O'Malley.
MetroLab Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MetroLab Network
- Legal name
- MetroLab Network
- Website
- https://metrolabnetwork.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MetroLab Network is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit consortium founded in 2015 that connects 95+ local governments with university research institutions through mayor-provost partnerships. It delivers programs in civic R&D, data governance and AI, and mobility, and merged into the Federation of American Scientists in 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where MetroLab Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MetroLab Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership and Affiliation: MetroLab Network operates as a non-profit consortium that accepts members, affiliates, and supporters (Friends Of) who contribute to the organization's mission of connecting research with city governance.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
MetroLab Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MetroLab Network operates as a membership-based research-to-practice consortium that connects municipal governments (city halls) with university research institutions. The network facilitates partnerships between mayors and university provosts, supporting programs including a Local Government R&D Agenda, Data Governance and AI initiatives, and a Mobility Center of Excellence to bring research capacity and innovation to communities.
Product overview
MetroLab Network is a consortium/network organization (not a traditional product company) comprising 95+ organizations committed to using research in city halls. The organization operates as a unified network offering multiple interconnected programs/initiatives rather than distinct commercial products. Its core offerings include the Local Government R&D Agenda, Data Governance and AI Initiatives, and the Mobility Center of Excellence—all designed to catalyze innovation between local governments and university research institutions. These programs work together to bring capacity and innovation to communities through civic technology partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Local Government R&D Agenda A program focused on advancing research and development priorities for local government innovation and capacity building, serving city halls and university research partners within the MetroLab network.
Companies that use MetroLab Network
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MetroLab Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
MetroLab Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Federation of American Scientists (FAS)coreMetroLab Network has officially joined the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), a non-profit organization that advances progress on science, technology, and innovation policy. MetroLab's initiatives including the Local Government R&D Agenda, Data Governance and AI initiatives, and the Mobility Center of Excellence will continue as MetroLab initiatives at FAS. The MetroLab 501c(3) entity has closed to enable this growth partnership.
- MetroLab Member Organizations (95+)coreThe MetroLab network comprises 95+ organizations committed to using research in city halls. These include local government-university partnerships where mayors and university provosts sign joint commitments to collaborate on civic innovation and technology initiatives.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MetroLab Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National League of Cities: A membership organization representing U.S. municipalities and city leaders. Comparable as a city-facing consortium with programming, convenings, and policy advocacy, though broader in scope than MetroLab's research-to-practice focus.
- United States Conference of Mayors: A nonpartisan organization of U.S. mayors. Comparable because MetroLab's model relies on direct mayor engagement and joint mayor-provost commitments, making this a primary constituency peer even though it operates at a much larger scale.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science: The largest general scientific society, advancing science policy and public engagement with science. Comparable as a science-policy nonprofit that convenes researchers and decision-makers, similar in spirit to MetroLab's research-to-policy bridge.
- Federation of American Scientists: MetroLab's parent organization since the 2024 merger. FAS is a broader science, technology, and innovation policy nonprofit - comparable in mission (science-based policy) but operates at a much larger national-policy scale rather than local civic-research partnerships.
- National Academy of Sciences: A congressionally chartered institution providing independent scientific advice to government. Comparable as a science-policy organization that informs local and federal decision-making, but at a much larger scale and with a research-advisory focus rather than direct city partnerships.
Direct peers
- Smart Cities Council: A membership-based coalition of companies, governments, and universities advancing smart-cities practice. Comparable as a consortium connecting municipal leaders with technology and research partners, similar in form to MetroLab's mayor-provost model.
- Code for America: A nonprofit that works with government to deliver digital services and civic technology. Directly comparable to MetroLab's mission of bringing research and innovation capacity to city halls, though Code for America focuses on service delivery rather than research partnerships.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies - What Works Cities: A Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative helping cities use data and evidence to improve services and engage residents. Comparable as a civic-innovation capacity-building program that partners with mayors and city governments on data-driven practice.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MetroLab Network social profiles
Digital presenceMetroLab Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MetroLab Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MetroLab Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MetroLab Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MetroLab Network
What does MetroLab Network do?
MetroLab Network operates as a membership-based research-to-practice consortium that connects municipal governments (city halls) with university research institutions. The network facilitates partnerships between mayors and university provosts, supporting programs including a Local Government R&D Agenda, Data Governance and AI initiatives, and a Mobility Center of Excellence to bring research capacity and innovation to communities.
Is MetroLab Network a public or private company?
MetroLab Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently acquired.
When was MetroLab Network founded?
MetroLab Network was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MetroLab Network based?
MetroLab Network is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does MetroLab Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership and Affiliation.
Who are MetroLab Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National League of Cities, United States Conference of Mayors, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Federation of American Scientists and National Academy of Sciences. Direct peers are Smart Cities Council, Code for America and Bloomberg Philanthropies - What Works Cities.
Does MetroLab Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for MetroLab Network.