The GIS consulting firms industry in the US focuses on providing geospatial analysis, mapping services, and data solutions to various sectors. Companies in this space utilize technology to help organizations make informed decisions based on location data. This rapidly evolving field is driven by advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics. As governments and businesses increasingly rely on data-driven insights, GIS consulting is expected to become more integrated into strategic planning. Emerging trends include the rise of cloud-based solutions, which enhance collaboration, and the growing emphasis on smart city initiatives, presenting new opportunities for innovation.


The investor landscape includes a mix of venture capital firms and corporate investors, primarily headquartered in key innovation hubs like San Francisco and New York. Ranging from small entities to large-scale corporations, these investors are vital players in the GIS consulting sector, having made numerous investments across the industry. In 2024, these investors participated in deals that span from seed funding to strategic acquisitions, showcasing their interest in advancing geospatial solutions. With sizes ranging from under 50 to over 10,000 employees, their commitment to fostering innovation is clear.


Top 12 GIS Consulting Firms Investors in the US


1. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It specializes in providing funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, making it a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its notable transactions, Y Combinator invested in Geosite, a company focused on GIS solutions, which raised $1.5 million in a Seed Round in March 2019. This investment highlights Y Combinator's engagement with the GIS sector. Additionally, Y Combinator has invested in other technology startups such as Bunting Labs, Mach9, and Wyvern, showcasing its diverse portfolio while still maintaining a foothold in industries that intersect with GIS technology.


2. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They focus on connecting startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation across various sectors, including technology. Plug and Play offers accelerator programs and investment opportunities, targeting businesses that are poised for development. Notably, they have been involved in several transactions relevant to the GIS consulting industry, such as their investment in CARTO, a leading location intelligence platform, and Orbital Insight, which specializes in geospatial analytics. These investments highlight Plug and Play's commitment to supporting companies that leverage geospatial data and technology, making them a valuable player in the GIS consulting space.


3. Nv5

  • Website: nv5.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hollywood, Florida, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1947
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: nv5

NV5 is a consulting and engineering company based in Hollywood, Florida, that provides technology, conformity assessment, and consulting solutions for infrastructure, utility, and building systems. Founded in 1947, NV5 serves both public and private sector clients, helping them improve efficiency and resilience in their projects. The company operates through a network of over 100 offices and offers a wide range of services, including environmental consulting, geospatial solutions, and construction quality assurance. Notably, NV5 has been active in the GIS consulting space, having acquired a GIS company in April 2024, which underscores its commitment to expanding its geospatial capabilities. Additionally, its acquisitions of firms like WHPacific Inc., which provides surveying services, and CALYX Engineers + Consultants, further enhance its expertise in areas relevant to GIS consulting. These strategic acquisitions reflect NV5's focus on integrating geospatial solutions into its broader consulting and engineering services.


4. Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence


Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence, a division of Hexagon AB, is a corporate investor based in Madison, Alabama, specializing in industrial technology and software solutions. Founded in 1992, Hexagon has established itself as a leader in providing precision sensors and geospatial tools across various sectors, including government and industrial firms. The company aims to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency through its innovative solutions. Notably, Hexagon has made significant acquisitions in the GIS space, including GISquadrat GmbH, which enhances their geospatial, cloud, and mobile solutions for utility providers and governments in Europe. Other key acquisitions include Intergraph, a major player in geospatial software, and GTA Geoinformatik, which specializes in 3D city modeling. These transactions reflect Hexagon's commitment to expanding its geospatial capabilities and supporting the development of smart cities, making it a relevant investor in the GIS consulting firms sector.


5. Bowman Consulting

  • Website: bowman.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Reston, Virginia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: bowman-consulting

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. is an engineering and consulting firm based in Reston, Virginia, founded in 1995. The firm provides a wide range of services, including civil/site engineering, transportation engineering, and environmental consulting. They cater to both government agencies and private sector companies, ensuring compliance and efficiency in infrastructure projects. In recent years, Bowman has made significant acquisitions to enhance its service offerings in the geospatial domain. Notably, they announced the acquisition of Surdex Corporation for $44 million, a company specializing in geospatial and engineering services, which is expected to significantly boost their annual service billing. Additionally, they acquired McMahon Associates, Inc. for $18.5 million, further expanding their capabilities in engineering services. These strategic moves highlight Bowman's commitment to integrating GIS-related services into their portfolio, positioning them as a relevant investor in the GIS consulting firms sector.


6. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund, part of Alumni Ventures, is a venture capital firm founded in 2023, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It provides accredited investors and institutions access to diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors. The fund has been active in various sectors, including technology and geospatial analytics. Notably, it has invested in Betterview, a company that specializes in geospatial data solutions, raising significant amounts across multiple funding rounds from 2015 to 2020. Additionally, the fund invested in Boston Geospatial, which raised $1,250,000 in a seed round in 2020, further emphasizing its interest in the GIS consulting space. This combination of investments highlights the fund's commitment to supporting innovative companies within the geospatial and technology sectors.


7. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. Notably, 500 Global has been involved in several transactions relevant to the GIS consulting sector, including their investment in InstaGIS, which raised an undisclosed amount in a Seed Round in April 2013. This investment highlights their interest in GIS technology. Additionally, they have invested in other technology startups like Betterview and Stoovo, which, while not directly related to GIS, showcase their commitment to innovative technology solutions. Their global reach and focus on supporting startups navigating growth challenges position them as a potential partner for GIS consulting firms looking for investment and mentorship.


8. Salesforce Ventures


Salesforce Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in innovative enterprise software companies, providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry leaders to help startups grow from seed to IPO. Salesforce Ventures has a broad investment focus that includes sectors such as AI, digital health, and climate technology. Notably, they have participated in significant funding rounds for companies like CARTO, which raised $61 million in a Series C round with Salesforce Ventures as a participant, and $23 million in a Series B round. This involvement highlights their interest in the GIS and location intelligence space, making them a relevant investor in this context. Additionally, their investment in various startups indicates a commitment to supporting diverse sectors, including those that may intersect with GIS consulting.


9. Ibm

  • Website: ibm.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: ibm

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a technology company based in Armonk, New York, specializing in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and IT consulting. Founded in 1995, IBM has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and has been actively investing in various sectors. Notably, IBM has acquired several companies that enhance its capabilities in GIS and related fields. One significant acquisition is Plant Location International (PLI), which was part of IBM's acquisition of PwC Consulting in 2020. PLI provides location assessment and inward investment services, leveraging IBM's resources to enhance its offerings. Other acquisitions, such as iPhrase Systems, Bluetab, i2 Group, and Octo, further demonstrate IBM's commitment to integrating advanced technologies into its operations, although they are not directly related to GIS. Overall, IBM's strategic investments and acquisitions position it as a relevant player in the GIS consulting firms industry.


10. Tetra Tech

  • Website: tetratech.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Pasadena, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1966
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: tetra-tech

Tetra Tech, Inc. is a corporate investor based in Pasadena, California, specializing in consulting and engineering services with a focus on water management, environmental services, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Founded in 1966, Tetra Tech has grown to employ over 10,000 professionals globally. The firm has been active in acquiring companies to enhance its service offerings, including the acquisition of Coffey International, Australia's first geotechnical engineering firm, which enhances their international development business. They also acquired Piteau Associates Engineering, a firm that may provide services relevant to GIS through its engineering expertise. Other notable acquisitions include Applied Science Consultoria in Brazil and WYG Group, which further solidify Tetra Tech's position in the consulting space. These transactions indicate Tetra Tech's commitment to expanding its capabilities, which may include GIS-related services, making them a significant player in the consulting industry.


11. Intel Capital

  • Website: intelcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: intelcapital

Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. Intel Capital provides funding, strategic support, and access to Intel's extensive resources to help startups scale and innovate within the tech ecosystem. Notably, Intel Capital has invested in companies like PrecisionHawk, which specializes in autonomous drone technology for low-altitude aerial data collection and analysis, raising significant funding across multiple rounds (Series B, C, and D). Additionally, they have invested in Geofusion, a company involved in geospatial data solutions. These transactions highlight Intel Capital's engagement in the GIS consulting space, making them a relevant investor in this industry.


12. Battery Ventures

  • Website: battery.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: battery-ventures

Battery Ventures is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1983. The firm specializes in technology investments and provides support in business development, talent acquisition, marketing, and leadership analytics to help its portfolio companies scale effectively. Battery Ventures operates globally and has made significant investments in various technology companies. Among its notable transactions in the GIS consulting sector are investments in Geocortex and Latitude Geographics Group, both of which focus on GIS solutions. Additionally, Battery Ventures has acquired companies like Environmental Data Resources, which provides data and software services relevant to real estate and environmental sectors, further showcasing its interest in data-driven technology solutions that intersect with GIS applications.



GIS Consulting Firms Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
Nv5Hollywood, Florida, United States (USA)1001-5000194710
Hexagon Asset Lifecycle IntelligenceMadison, Alabama, United States (USA)10001+19929
Bowman ConsultingReston, Virginia, United States (USA)1001-500019958
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
Salesforce VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50200958
IbmArmonk, New York, United States (USA)10001+199523
Tetra TechPasadena, California, United States (USA)10001+19662
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123
Battery VenturesBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)51-200198323


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