ALCIS
ALCIS is a UK-based GIS consultancy founded in 2004 that combines satellite imagery, field surveying, and machine learning to deliver geospatial analysis and evidence-based products to governments, international agencies, and NGOs working in fragile and conflict-affected environments, primarily in Afghanistan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersGuildford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ALCIS does
ALCIS, trading as Alcis Holdings Ltd, is a UK-based Geographic Information Services consultancy founded in 2004 and headquartered at Surrey Research Park in Guildford. The firm delivers geospatial data, analysis, and evidence-based products to governments, international agencies, banks, private businesses, and NGOs operating in fragile and complex environments. Its primary geographic focus is Afghanistan, where it conducts annual field-level mapping across all 34 provinces, with secondary operations in Uganda, The Gambia, Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, and Iran.
The company's core technology stack combines commercial satellite imagery analysis, ground-level field surveying, and integration of additional geospatial datasets. Its proprietary tool, Alcis Collect, enables mobile data collection with GPS and camera integration that feeds directly into information systems. The firm applies machine learning and computer vision for automated imagery classification — including poppy cultivation detection, IDP tent counting, NDVI-based crop and vegetation monitoring, and change detection in conflict zones. Outputs are delivered through interactive StoryMaps published on the Esri ArcGIS platform, alongside maps, dashboards, and bespoke analytical reports. The firm holds Esri Bronze Partner status, has university and academic research partnerships, and is certified under the UK Cyber Essentials scheme.
ALCIS operates a project-based professional services revenue model, with no publicly disclosed pricing or standardized product tiers. Engagements are quote-driven and typically structured around donor-funded programs, government contracts, or NGO frameworks in the humanitarian and international development sectors. Notable clients include the United Nations, USAID, the Government of Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and Seeds for Development. The firm has no disclosed external funding rounds, no subsidiaries, and no parent company, operating as an independent private limited company with 11-50 employees.
ALCIS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ALCIS
- Legal name
- Alcis Holdings Ltd
- Website
- https://alcis.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ALCIS is a UK-based GIS consultancy founded in 2004 that combines satellite imagery, field surveying, and machine learning to deliver geospatial analysis and evidence-based products to governments, international agencies, and NGOs working in fragile and conflict-affected environments, primarily in Afghanistan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ALCIS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geospatial Analytics Services
- NAICS
- Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)
- akta.pro primary industry
- GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms (BPAMANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Geospatial Data Management & Enterprise GIS (Geodatabases, Web GIS, Spatial Analytics) (EUAHAKAC), Field Mapping, GIS & Remote Sensing Analytics (AFAAAFAB), Environmental Data Integration, ETL & Interoperability (APIs, Standards, Data Pipelines) (EUAHAKAB)
Keywords
Where ALCIS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guildford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ALCIS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- GIS Consultancy Services: Provides consultancy services delivering GIS projects to time, cost, and quality expectations. Services include data collection, analysis, and presentation of geospatial intelligence.
- Data Products and Analysis: Produces data products including maps, dashboards, story-maps, graphics and analysis reports for clients including governments, international agencies and NGOs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
ALCIS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ALCIS provides Geographic Information Services (GIS) that combine commercial satellite imagery, field-collected ground data via its proprietary Alcis Collect mobile tool, and additional geospatial datasets to produce maps, dashboards, StoryMaps, and analytical reports. The firm specializes in evidence-based geospatial intelligence for humanitarian, counter-narcotics, food security, and development decision-making in fragile and complex environments where physical access is restricted.
Product overview
Alcis offers a unified suite of Geographic Information Services (GIS) centred on earth observation, field surveying, and geospatial data analysis. Its core GIS service acts as the integrating platform, combining satellite imagery (Earth Observation), ground-truthed field data (Field Surveying via Alcis Collect), and additional geospatial datasets to produce actionable intelligence. Findings are delivered through multiple formats including interactive maps, dashboards, and StoryMaps. The company specializes in challenging and fragile environments, with thematic focus areas spanning Afghanistan agriculture data, poppy/illicit economy monitoring, earthquake response, food security, humanitarian displacement (IDP tents), and climate change.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Geographic Information Services (GIS)
- Earth Observation
- Field Surveying
- Alcis Collect
- StoryMaps
Quantifiable outcome
- 74% increase in poppy cultivation detection between 2024 and 2025 (from 7,382 to 12,818 hectares in Afghanistan)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ALCIS
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ALCIS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
ALCIS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- EsricoreEsri Bronze Partner. Alcis leverages Esri technology including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online for its geospatial analysis and StoryMaps. The partnership provides access to cutting-edge GIS technology and platforms.
- Universities and AcademicscoreStrong partner relationships with universities and academics providing access to cutting-edge research, methodologies, and expertise in geospatial analysis and development studies.
- Industry Leading Technology ProviderscorePartner relationships with industry-leading providers for technology and data access to deliver geospatial solutions.
- Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)coreLong-standing partnership producing over 80 research-based products on rural livelihoods and cross-border economies. David Mansfield has worked extensively with AREU in close partnership with Alcis.
- Seeds for DevelopmentminorPartnership with the NGO Seeds for Development for a digital transformation project addressing food security challenges in vulnerable communities in northern Uganda.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ALCIS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Esri: Global enterprise GIS platform provider and Alcis's technology partner. A broad incumbent that defines the GIS platform layer on which Alcis's services run; serves the same donor/agency end customers via partner ecosystem.
- Maxar Technologies: Large commercial satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence provider. A broad incumbent supplying the upstream satellite data layer Alcis uses and competing for downstream analytic contracts.
- Planet Labs: Earth observation company operating high-cadence satellite constellations. Broad incumbent whose imagery products and analytics offerings compete for the same agricultural, humanitarian, and environmental monitoring budgets.
Direct peers
- CartONG: France-based NGO specializing in GIS for humanitarian and development projects. Directly comparable service portfolio (mapping, field data collection, capacity building) to Alcis.
- REACH Initiative: Humanitarian research organization producing data-driven assessments (including geospatial) for aid actors in fragile settings. Overlaps with Alcis in evidence-based, remotely-sensed humanitarian analysis.
- Development Seed (Element 84): Geospatial data and engineering firm applying satellite imagery, ML, and GIS to development, humanitarian, and environmental challenges. Closely comparable mission, methodology mix (EO + field + ML), and institutional customer base to Alcis.
- MapAction: UK-based humanitarian mapping charity providing rapid geospatial support to disaster response operations. Comparable UK origin, humanitarian focus, and use of satellite/field-derived data products.
- iMMAP: International NGO providing information management and GIS services to humanitarian operations and UN clusters. Directly competes for the same UN/INGO program-funded GIS analytics budgets as Alcis.
- Azavea: Geospatial analytics firm building software and analysis for civic, environmental, and social-impact applications. Comparable niche focus on applying GIS and ML to mission-driven use cases.
Emerging players
- Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT): Global NGO coordinating open-source community mapping for humanitarian and development response. Partially overlaps with Alcis's field-mapping and vulnerability mapping use cases, often via pro-bono or donor-funded models.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ALCIS social profiles
Digital presenceALCIS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
ALCIS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ALCIS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ALCIS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ALCIS 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 ALCIS
What does ALCIS do?
ALCIS provides Geographic Information Services (GIS) that combine commercial satellite imagery, field-collected ground data via its proprietary Alcis Collect mobile tool, and additional geospatial datasets to produce maps, dashboards, StoryMaps, and analytical reports. The firm specializes in evidence-based geospatial intelligence for humanitarian, counter-narcotics, food security, and development decision-making in fragile and complex environments where physical access is restricted.
Is ALCIS a public or private company?
ALCIS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ALCIS founded?
ALCIS was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ALCIS based?
ALCIS is headquartered in Guildford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ALCIS make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. GIS Consultancy Services are the primary driver. The others are data Products and Analysis.
Who are ALCIS's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Esri, Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs. Direct peers are CartONG, REACH Initiative, Development Seed (Element 84), MapAction, iMMAP and Azavea. Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) is listed as an emerging player.
Does ALCIS have an API?
No public API is recorded for ALCIS.
What industry is ALCIS in?
ALCIS's product category is Geospatial Analytics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAK, GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMANAM, Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541370.