Back to the Future
Restoring critical components of previously utilized aircraft and parts into working warfare assets, Elevate Systems recreates history through its reverse engineering technology. The process transforms antiquated black and white one-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional real-world colored tangibles. Chief Executive Officer Maricela Gray is at the helm of this woman-owned company and her husband, Scott Gray, oversees the daily operations as President. They pay it forward with the 16 paid student internships they offer in addition to their small group of dynamic staff. Started in 2012, Elevate finetunes its technology while exploring new advances with artificial intelligence and mechatronics. Through 3D printing and prototype production, Elevate Systems has propelled itself into a futuristic time machine that returns mechanical parts to fully utilized instruments, restoring them to their original glory of serving the United States.
Shortly after its inception, the business accessed a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Express Revolving Line of Credit. As the company grew, it needed assistance to financially support its research and development while seeking long-term contracts with a partner who would push their capabilities. Elevate accomplished this with help from the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Through contracts awarded by the Department of Defense, Elevate was rocketed into a niche industry that now breathes back life into bygone B-52 bombers and many more. Scott Gray lauded that, “The SBA programs, particularly the APEX Accelerator (a government procurement program offering support and guidance) was critical in launching the business.” Maricela concurred,” We could not have done it alone.”
Elevate Systems can now reduce the cost of an airplane part from $10,000 to $300 and give flight to fleets that once sat dormant. This production prowess has opened doors to commercial consulting, offering technological solutions to a wide range of industries only limited by one’s imagination.